Commercial buildings score average 'C' EPC rating

Commercial buildings are scoring an average ‘C’ energy rating, early results from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) show.

Almost 800,000 buildings have had an energy assessment since the certificates were introduced in 2007, including about 500 large buildings.

The certificates rate a building’s energy efficiency from A to G, just like the sticker ratings given to appliances such as fridges.

They became compulsory for all buildings more than 10,000 sq m built, sold or rented since April this year.

The certificates were extended to buildings up to 2,500 sq m today.

Assessors said plenty could still be done to reduce carbon emissions from buildings and told building owners to introduce more energy efficient lighting as part of a raft of environmentally-friendly initiatives.

Housing minister Iain Wright said EPCs would be extended to the rest of the commercial buildings sector in October.

He said: “Smaller buildings need to be thinking now about how they could be affected and what they need to do to get ready.”