Compliance Reports

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

An EPC is a certificate that shows how energy-efficient your property is. The document includes estimated energy costs, as well as a summary of your home’s energy performance-related features. EPCs also include recommendations on measures that would make your home more energy-efficient, along with estimated costs for implementing the changes and the potential savings you could make.

The requirement for an EPC for buildings placed on the market for sale or rent came into force from August 2007 for domestic and October 2008 for commercial buildings. Newly constructed buildings require an EPC before completion can take place. There is a common misconception that an EPC is only mandatory when the property is placed ‘under offer’ but the regulations actually require that an EPC be in place from the first day the building is marketed. An EPC is valid for 10 years and is available for public view on the UK Government’s Landmark database.

An EPC is a measure of the theoretical energy performance capability of a building. The energy rating is expressed from A to G on a colour coded bar chart.

The rating is based on the CO2 emissions of the building, factoring in the building’s construction fabric and heating, cooling and lighting services. A report of recommendations accompanies the certificate and sets out proposals to improve the energy efficiency of the building with short, medium and long payback periods.

The legal responsibility to have an EPC lies with the organisation that has placed the building on the market, for example landlords, managing agent or tenant intending to sublet. The marketing agent also has a legal responsibility to have EPCs in place for the buildings they advertised. With regard to multi-let buildings, the landlord can choose to have an EPC for only the part being marketed or for the whole building as long as the building have common, centralised system. Otherwise, each demised space would need to be assessed individually. An EPC can be reused for the up to 10 years if the area it covers is includes the area to be sold or let.

The penalty for non-compliance if the building is being marketed is 12.5% of the Rateable Value, subject to a minimum of £500 and a maximum of £5,000. The Regulations are enforced by local Trading Standards officers who can request proof that an EPC is in place at any time. The penalty is repeated every 28 days if an EPC is still not arranged.

With the stakes potentially extremely high for non -compliance. It is important that you have an expert on hand to help, contact us today to find out more.

Read more

Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

SECR is a mandatory government framework that was introduced in 2019. All eligible companies must submit an SECR report to Companies House on a yearly basis. This report includes information about annual energy use, carbon emissions, and the steps the company has taken to be more energy-efficient and forms part of the organization’s annual report. Our expert consultants can assist in the analysis and compilation of these reports. We have particularly strong experience in compiling official documents for listed companies and can take away the administrative burden and the risk of non-compliance.

SCER effects many companies, the qualifying criteria is:

  1. Quoted companies as defined I Section 385 of the Companies Act 2006.
  2. UK companies defined as ‘Large’ under the Companies Act 2006- meeting at least two of the three following criteria for the financial year in which you are reporting:
    1. At least 250 employees
    2. Annual turnover of £36million
    3. Annual balance sheet total in excess of £18million
  3. Large Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP’s) that’s re already obliged to carry out audits under ESOS and have been required to report under the CRC.
  4. Large, Unregistered companies operating for gain and who have reported under the Unregistered Companies Regulations 2009.

We are able to provide Scope 1,2 and 3 elements of a SCER report (to find out more about Scopes 1, 2 and 3 click here). We have also found in recent times that many companies who fall under the qualification criteria are producing SCER reports as part of their CSR.

To speak to one of our energy experts about how we can assist you with these reports, click here.

Read more

SECR - what are scopes 1, 2 and 3?

These divisions reflect the different sources from which emissions are produced and how directly responsible the company is, each Scope has clear parameters and this is done to help companies take the appropriate action towards reducing their carbon footprint.

SCOPE 1

This relates to direct emissions from controlled or owned sources which includes those from combustion of fuel and operation of facility, this can include emissions for. Combustion in owners’ boilers , furnaces and vehicles.

SCOPE 2

These are indirect emissions as a result of your organisations activities, but which occur at sources you do not control. Examples of Scope 2 emissions are those released into the atmosphere associated with your consumption of purchased electricity, heat, steam and cooling. Scope 2 emissions are the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally; non-renewable methods of producing electric and heat account for one third of global greenhouse gases.

SCOPE 3

These are emissions that’s are created as consequences of your actions at sources which you do not own or control, but that fall outside of scope 2 emissions. Examples are employee commuting or waste disposal outside of any production processes.

Read more

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)

ESOS is a mandatory government scheme which aims to increase awareness of energy consumption amongst larger businesses, with a view of reducing costs and improving inefficiencies.

Qualifying organisations are those with more than 250 employees, or an annual turnover in excess of €50 million and a balance sheet of over €43 million, such companies must submit regular energy audits to the government to prove compliance with the scheme.

Energy Concepts will manage the ESOS process on your behalf to eliminate the risk of non-compliance to your organisation.

Find out more and speak to consultant