Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the lowest fuel bills—are in band A. The certificate uses the same scale to
define the impact a home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should
have less impact through carbon dioxide emissions. The average property in
the UK is in band D or E for both ratings.
6.3.2.2.3.3 EPCs Recommendations
The certificate includes recommenda-
tions on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save money [7].
The accuracy of the recommendations will depend on the inspection stan-
dards applied by the inspector, which may be variable. Inspectors, who may
be home inspectors (HIs) or domestic energy assessors (DEAs), are audited
by their accreditation bodies in order to maintain standards [8]. The recom-
mendations appear general in tone but are in fact bespoke to the property in
question. The logic by which the RDSAP programme makes its recommen-
dations was developed as part of a project to create the RDSAP methodology,
which took place during the early years of the 21st century [9]. The EU direc-
tive requires the EPC recommendations to be cost-effective in improving the
energy efficiency of the home but, in addition to presenting the most cost-
effective options, more expensive options that are less cost-effective are also
presented. To distinguish them from the more cost-effective measures, these
are shown in a section described as 'further measures'. Because the EPC is
designed to be produced at a change of occupancy, it must be relevant to any
occupier; it therefore must make no allowance for the particular preferences
of the current occupier.
6.3.2.2.3.4 Exempt Properties
Properties exempt from the Housing Act
2004 are
1. Non-residential, such as offices, shops, warehouses.
2. Mixed use—a dwelling house that is part of a business (farm, shop,
petrol station).
3. Unsafe properties—a property that poses a serious health and safety
risk to occupants or visitors.
4. Properties to be demolished—properties that are due to be demol-
ished, where the marketing of the property, all the relevant docu-
ments and planning permission exist.
6.3.2.3 Non-Domestic EPCs
In addition to the requirements in relation to dwellings, there is also a require-
ment for EPCs in connection with the sale, rent or construction of buildings
other than dwellings with a floor area greater than 50 m
2
(from April 2008) that
contain fixed services that condition the interior environment.
Properties that are exempt from requiring a domestic EPC will generally
require a non-dwelling energy performance certificate, which was also required
by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Commercial properties
