How to Improve Your Commercial Property’s EPC Rating

Boosting your commercial property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating offers a range of benefits, from reducing energy costs and attracting eco-conscious tenants to future-proofing your property against tightening energy regulations. With sustainability now an integral aspect of property management, here are effective steps to significantly enhance your EPC rating.

1. Conduct an Energy Audit

An energy audit conducted by a specialist identifies exactly where energy is being wasted within your property. By thoroughly assessing your property's current energy consumption, you can prioritise improvements, maximise efficiency, and significantly increase your EPC rating.

2. Carry Out a Heat Loss Survey

A heat loss survey employs advanced thermal imaging technology to detect where your property is losing heat. Common weak points include windows, doors, roofs, walls, and joints. By addressing these issues through insulation or sealing measures, your energy consumption and heating costs can be dramatically reduced, leading to a higher EPC rating.

3. Perform an Air Tightness Test

An air tightness test evaluates the amount of air leaking in or out of your building. Identifying and reducing air leaks (such as gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and vents) significantly enhances energy efficiency. By improving airtightness, you can reduce heating and cooling loads, immediately boosting your EPC rating.

4. Upgrade Lighting to LED with Occupancy Sensors

Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting instantly lowers your energy consumption. To maximise efficiency, consider incorporating occupancy sensors. These smart sensors ensure lights are activated only when spaces are occupied, reducing unnecessary energy usage and further improving your EPC rating and overall sustainability.

5. Improve Building Insulation

Quality insulation in roofs, walls, floors, and ceilings is one of the most effective ways to boost energy efficiency. Better insulation keeps buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reducing your reliance on HVAC systems, lowering energy bills, and significantly improving your EPC score.

6. Optimise HVAC Systems with Building Energy Management System (BEMS)

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are substantial energy consumers in commercial properties. Upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC equipment delivers significant energy savings. Additionally, integrating a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) allows precise control and real-time monitoring of HVAC performance, optimising energy use, and maximising EPC improvements.

7. Invest in Renewable Energy Solutions

Adding renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic panels, significantly reduces your property's reliance on grid electricity. Renewable energy installations not only reduce your energy bills but also substantially enhance your property's EPC rating, offering long-term environmental and financial benefits.

8. Install Double or Triple Glazed Windows and Doors

Replacing older windows and doors with double or triple glazing substantially reduces Upgrading windows to double or triple glazing is a highly effective method to improve thermal performance and reduce energy loss in your commercial property. However, in situations where replacing original windows is impractical such as in listed buildings or conservation areas, installing secondary glazing offers a viable and cost-effective alternative. Secondary glazing involves adding a discreet internal window in front of the existing one, enhancing insulation without altering the building's external appearance. This approach is often approved for use in heritage properties and can significantly boost your EPC rating while preserving the building's character.

9. Implement Advanced Energy Management Systems

Modern energy management systems and smart metering solutions provide detailed insights into energy usage, enabling proactive energy efficiency management. By tracking and reducing unnecessary consumption, these systems offer an effective pathway to ongoing EPC improvement.

10. Educate and Engage Tenants

Energy efficiency is a team effort. Educating tenants on best practices, such as setting thermostats appropriately, switching off unused devices, and promptly reporting issues ensures everyone contributes to a greener and more efficient property, supporting ongoing EPC improvement.

Start Improving Your EPC Rating Today

Improving your commercial property's EPC rating is achievable by taking targeted measures – from simple upgrades like occupancy-sensing lighting and airtightness improvements, to advanced measures like HVAC optimisation through Building Management Systems and renewable energy integration.

For expert advice and tailored support to improve your EPC rating, contact Essential Green Skills. We're here to help you create a sustainable, energy-efficient commercial property.