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27 May 2008

Energy performance certificates are coming

The Department of Finance and Personnel has announced that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be compulsory for all house sales in Northern Ireland from the end of June 2008.
They will be required for all new construction from the end of September and all property sales and rentals by the end of the year. The introduction of these requirements fulfils an obligation placed on all Member States by an EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings.
The Department of Finance and Personnel will host a series of seminars throughout Northern Ireland in June. Members of the public are particularly welcome, as are representatives of the local building and property professions.
The seminars are scheduled as follows:-
  • Tuesday 3 June, Radisson Hotel, Limavady
  • Friday 6 June, Silver Birch Hotel, Omagh
  • Monday 9 June, City Hotel, Armagh
  • Tuesday 10 June, Templepatrick
  • Wednesday 11 June, Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle
All seminars start at 10am and will finish about noon.
During these seminars, further details will be provided about the certificates and their purpose, which is to depict an energy rating for the building – similar to the colour coded ratings on electrical appliances.
Seeing the building’s energy efficiency depicted clearly should encourage people to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings in which they live and work.
The benefits are twofold. Making improvements will help to reduce Northern Ireland’s carbon footprint. With the recent fuel cost increases, buildings that are more energy efficient should also be cheaper to run and be more attractive to prospective owners.
The public sector will come into the spotlight too because from the end of 2008, larger public buildings will have to display energy performance certificates. The regulations also require regular inspection of air-conditioning systems.
You can find out more about EPCs, including details on how to book a free place at one of the seminars, by visiting www.epb.dfpni.gov.uk or by contacting Karen McKernon on 028 9025 7326.

Notes to editors:

  1. The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (NI) 2008 were made on 10 April 2008. They introduce a requirement to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when a building is constructed, sold or rented.
  2. An EPC may only be introduced by a trained and accredited assessor. National Occupational Standards have been developed by Asset Skills (the SEctor Skills Council for the Property, Facilities Management, Housing and Cleaning industrues) to define the Skills and Knowledge required to apply to join an accreditation scheme and become licensed to practica as an Energy Assessor. National calculation methodologies used in the calculation of energy performance and the production of Energy Performance Certificates have been developed from software which is used to demonstrate coompliance with the Building Regulations
  3. The regulations provide for a 3-phased implementation of the certification requirements as follows:
    • 30 June 2008: Sale of existing dwellings
    • 30 September 2008: Construction of new buildings
    • 30 December 2008: Rental of existing buildings; sale of existing non-dwellings
  4. In addition to the production of EPCs, the regulations also introduce a requirement for large public buildings that are visited by the public to show prominently a Display Energy Certificate. This is similar to an EPC but derives its rating from the actual energy consumed by the building in a 12-month period.
  5. The regulations also establish an inspection regime for all air conditioning systems over 12 kW output.
  6. The regulations implement the requirements of Articles 7, 9 and 10 of the European Directive 2002/91 on the energy performance of buildings. Other requirements in this Directive were implemented by amendments to the Building Regulations Part F (Conservation of fuel & power) made in August 2006.
  7. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.