The Kyoto Protocol has now been ratified by the EU, which means that all European countries, including the UK, must reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 2012 (relative to 1990 levels). Whilst the EU has an overall target of 8%, the UK's specific target is 12%. In order to achieve the reductions, the EU introduced the Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings. The UK"s version of this is the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations 2007, and the commercial buildings aspect of these regulations came into force on 6th April 2008.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required for the construction, sale or lease of buildings.
Public buildings with a floor area greater than 1000m² will have to provide Display Energy Certificates (DECs).
All buildings need to provide an Air Conditioning efficiency assessment certificate where the total cooling capacity is greater than 12kW.
Is your building costing you money?
The energy performance of buildings regulations are now in full flow, which means that owners have to be compliant in several areas;
Allianz Engineering Energy Services offer a range of products to ensure clients are compliant in these areas, including detailed energy surveys. A recent study completed on two buildings identified potential savings of £110,000 per annum and 626 tonnes of carbon.