Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and Legionella Risk Assessments and Water Testing

Energy Performance Certificates popularly known EPC

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is based upon an assessment of the property that is carried out by a licensed Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).

It is a document that provides an assessment Breakdown of a property’s energy performance. It highlights how much it will cost to heat and power a particular property. It includes recommendations of improvements measures as well as the cost of carrying them out, and the potential savings in pounds and pence that each one could generate.

Since October 2008, rental properties in England and Wales have required an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

As of April 1st 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) came into force. This required all rental properties of new tenancies and renewals to have a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’ or above.

Display Energy Certificates (DECs)

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are designed to show the energy performance of public buildings. They use a scale that runs from ‘A’ to ‘G’ – ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least.

Buildings that need a certificate, Public authorities must have a DEC for a building if all the following are true:

1. it’s at least partially occupied by a public authority (eg council, leisure centre, college, NHS trust)
2. it has a total floor area of over 250 square metres
3. it’s frequently visited by the public

Legionella Risk Assessments and Water Testing

Legionella is a water-borne bacterium and that affects over 50s, people with existing diseases and poor immune systems. The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia. Regular testing is the best preventative measure for an outbreak. Legionella can contaminate domestic hot and cold-water systems, so temperature checks and water sampling are great ways to keep on top of tenant safety.