The Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB)
Please note an additional file has been added to the Download PDFs page - "EPCs and new homes: a Builder's Guide".
The Department of Finance and Personnel is the enforcement authority for these Regulations. If an EPC and an accompanying Recommendation Report have not made available to you from the “relevant person” (i.e. the owner, the landlord or the builder) you are entitled to contact the Department who will pursue the matter on your behalf. You may wish to contact the Department either in writing to: EPC Enforcement Building Regulations Unit, 10th Floor, River House, 48 High Street, Belfast, BT1 2AW. or by email: info.epb@dfpni.gov.uk Before the Department can proceed you will be required to provide the full postal address of the property concerned. |
New measures to improve the energy performance of buildings in Northern Ireland
Our buildings are responsible for almost 50% of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Even comparatively minor changes in the energy performance of and the way we use each building would have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption, and hence, carbon emissions.
Given the UK Government's support of the Kyoto Protocol and of its challenging targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, reducing the energy consumption attributable to buildings is a key policy objective.
The Department of Finance and Personnel is introducing measures in Northern Ireland to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, including:
- introducing energy performance certificates for properties providing A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement
- requiring public buildings to display energy certificates
- requiring inspections for air conditioning systems and
- giving advice and guidance for boiler users.
By 30th December 2008 all properties - homes and commercial - when sold, built or rented will need an energy performance certificate (EPC). Public buildings will also need to display a display energy performance certificate (DEC).
This initiative is the result of European legislation - the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - which all member states must adopt.
