Booking Line: 028 796 44344

Email: sales@kellyproperties.co.uk

Kelly & Co. EPC are a professional team of highly qualified chartered surveyors who provide a complete service of Residential and Commercial Energy Performance Certificates throughout Northern Ireland to include:

• Residential Energy Property Certificates (EPC) for sales and lettings to include recommendations;
• Design SAP calculations;
• New Build Residential Energy Property Certificates (EPC) to include recommendations;
• Commercial Energy Property Certificates - Levels 3 & 4 for sales and lettings to include recommendations; and
• New Build Commercial Energy Property Certificates (EPC);

Energy Property Certificates can be assessed directly by the public, through estate agents, architects, surveying practices, contractors, government bodies and solicitors.

The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations NI (2008) introduced requirements that an Energy Performance Certificate should be made available to the owner, or to the perspective buyer, or tenant; when a domestic or non domestic property is constructed, sold or rented out.

• Commercial EPC's Start From £375.00
• Design SAP Valuations & New Build Residential EPC’s Start From £100.00
• Competitive Residential EPC Prices Start From £75.00

About Kelly & Co. EPC

• Kelly & Co.EPC are a highly qualified team of professional chartered surveyors.
• Over 12 years experience in the property market.
• Fully qualified domestic assessors accredited with Elmhurst Certification Scheme.
• Fully qualified new built domestic assessors accredited with Stroma Certification Scheme.
• Fully qualified non-domestic assessors at accreditation level 3 and 4 accredited with Stroma Accreditation Ltd.
• Based in Northern Ireland, we offer a national service to those requiring EPC's.
• We were among the first professionally qualified chartered surveyors domestic and commercial energy assessors in Northern Ireland.
• As members of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors we are regulated by the RICS and carry all our work in accordance to the rules and regulations of these professional bodies.
• Professional, competitive, reliable service, with a prompt efficient turnaround.
• We aim to produce EPC's within 24 - 48 hours so that you can get on with the process of selling and renting your clients property without delay.

What is an EPC?

An EPC provides important information on the existing status and importantly how to improve the energy of your property, to reduce carbon emissions and also reduce heating and energy costs. In many cases, dependent on the age of your property, insulations grants may be available to help achieve these savings and environmental improvements and, in turn reduce the running costs of your property.

Why do I need an EPC?

Climate change is becoming of increasing concern both for the UK and worldwide. As a commitment the Government has placed a 60% reduction target for carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Energy ratings are designed to be a measure of the fuel cost of a property. Energy conservation is clearly a good thing’ – everyone wins with energy conservation.

Domestic properties marketed for sale (from 30th June 2008), newly constructed (from 30th September 2008) and rented out (from 30th December 2008) will require an Energy Performance Certificate. It is a legal responsibility of the vendor; to make sure that the EPC is produced for your property. Legislation states that the EPC shall be made available for prospective buyers/tenants when you ask for the property particulars and/or a viewing of the property. In additions to this, the conveyancing process will not be completed by your solicitor unless the EPC is made available for the property.

From the 31st December 2008 all commercial, non domestic buildings to include new build buildings will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate on sale, rental or upon construction. Non domestic properties are the responsibility of Sellers and Prospective Landlords to make the EPC available to prospective purchasers and tenants respectively. Again the conveyancing process will not be completed by your solicitor unless the EPC is made available for the property.

Kelly & Co.EPC will provide information on the energy efficiency, heating costs and carbon emissions of the property. The certificates will include recommendations on ways to improve, to save money and help the environment.

New Build & Residential EPCs

Domestic properties marketed for sale (from 30th June 2008), newly constructed (from 30th September 2008) and rented out (from 30th December 2008) will require an Energy Performance Certificate.

Design SAP/New Build EPC's

To comply with the current Building Regulations all new dwellings are required to have a SAP (TER/DER) calculation which should be carried out before construction commences. On completion the SAP is re-calculated using the pressure test results (if applicable) and the details of the actual boiler used. SAP 2005 was introduced in April 2006. This then provides the information which is included in the Energy Performance Certificate. This calculation introduced the TER/DER values where the TER is the Target Carbon Dioxide Emission Rate, which is calculated by the SAP software. The DER is the Dwelling Carbon Emission Rate calculated on the proposed design (which should be based on the current Part L/F of the Building Regulations).

Buildings subject to Part F 2006 and submitted approval after 30th September 2008 must have a TER/DER submitted to district councils at design stage. The DER must not exceed the calculated TER. When the building is completed the TER and DER on completion must be submitted to building control not more than 5 days after completion to demonstrate that the target has been met. The Building Regulations have been amended from 30th September by The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 as amended, to require that when a building is completed, an Energy Performance Certification must be produced for the building and a copy to the owner and the district council not more than 5 days after completion. The only exception to this is where the dwellings are created by the conversion of an existing building.

For new dwellings the standard U-values for the thermal elements are only a guide because there are so many other factors that affect the TER/DER figures. In most cases these U-values will have to be bettered (sometimes considerably) in order for the dwelling to achieve a TER/DER pass.

The following is a list of items which are now included in the SAP calculations and have the most effect on the TER/DER ratings:

• Orientation of the dwelling.
• Area of glazing - solar gain.
• Ventilation.
• Thermal Bridging and Air Leakage - Pressure Test.
• Energy Efficient Lighting.
• Use of green energy (geothermal and solar).
• Heating Controls and Secondary Heating (wood burning stoves).

The SAP calculation tool allows the designer a high degree of flexibility in deciding how to achieve the required energy target. However, the Approved Document does set certain limits. These include:

• Limiting U-values
• A limit of 10 m3/m2/h at 50 Pa for air permeability
• Central heating boilers must be class A or B (at least 86% efficient)
• Secondary heating must have a minimum of 37% efficiency
• Energy efficient lighting in at least a quarter of light fittings

For a quotation please use our online quotation service or contact us directly on 028 796 44344. Alternatively, email us at sales@kellyproperties.co.uk

Home sellers and buyers

Regardless of the date when an existing dwelling has been placed on the market, from 30th June 2008, the relevant person (the seller) has a legal duty to make available to the prospective buyer or actual buyer a valid EPC at the earliest opportunity. This must be given free of charge. The earliest opportunity is when the house is marketed or when a person asks to view the house or requests information on the house.

If an EPC has not been provided to the prospective buyer during marketing, it is the responsibility of the home owner to ensure a copy of the EPC has been given to the actual buyer.

An EPC is valid for 10 years and can therefore be reused in further transactions involving that property up to the end of this period.

Landlords and tenants

From 30th December 2008 the relevant person (the landlord) of a building which is to be rented out has a legal duty to make available to the prospective tenant or actual tenant a valid EPC at the earliest opportunity (i.e. before entering into a contract to rent), showing the existing and potential rating of the property they intend to rent out so that likely tenants can make informed decisions before committing to a rental agreement.. There is no need to obtain an EPC for an existing tenancy. Once obtained, a certificate remains valid for up to 10 years. If a valid EPC still exists when changing tenants, a new certificate is not required. This applies to both private and social sector landlords and tenants.

Residential EPCs start from £75.00 plus VAT.

Ways To Reduce Bills

• Using low energy saving light bulbs can save £5 - £10 per year on each light 12 times longer life, 80‰ less energy
• Turn off lights and do not leave appliances on standby e.g. Television
• Insulating your hot water tank can save £10 per year and reduce heat loss by 30permil;

The cost of insulating the tank can be recovered in 1 year

• Make sure hot water is not too hot - set thermostat at 60 degrees Celsius
• By draught proofing your home, you can save £35 per year
• Save £50 per year by having heating controls installed in your home
• Save £300 per year with wall insulation

If you have solid walls you can either insulate them with external or internal insulation, saving you around £300 a year on your energy bills and can improve efficiency by 30‰

• Have your windows doubleglazed and save £40 per year

Fitting double glazed windows will save money and cost recovered in 5 years.

• You can insulate your loft - 250mm can improve efficiency by 30‰ and save £180 per year

You will reduce your bills and save energy by insulating your loft and there may be energy saving grants to pay for part of the costs.

Commercial EPCs

From the 31st December 2008 all commercial, non domestic buildings will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate on sale, rental or upon construction. Non domestic properties are the responsibility of Sellers and Prospective Landlords to make the EPC available to prospective purchasers and tenants respectively. Kelly & Co.EPC offer both level 3 and 4 as highlighted below.

• Level 3 - Simple existing non-dwellings which are situated to analysis with steady state modelling software.
• Level 4 - New and existing non-dwelling which are complex building services which are situated to analysis with steady state modelling software.

Exemptions to include:

• Stand alone buildings with a floor area less than 50 m2
• Places of worship
• Temporary buildings (less than 2 years)
• Low energy demand agricultural buildings
• Buildings to be demolished
• Existing tenancies

How long is the EPC valid for?

A Commercial Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years.

How is a Commercial EPC created?

A Commercial Energy Performance Certificate is created using SBEM software (Simulated Building Energy Model). This software is the national calculation method (NCM) sanctioned by the government and already in use to calculate the energy performance of new buildings prior to building control approval. The building is zoned according to activity, HVAC (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning) systems and construction types. Information required for each zone includes areas and full technical specification of all elements - windows, doors, walls etc.

Other information required includes full specification of Domestic hot water system, HVAC system and controls, lighting system and controls, solar systems, thermal characteristics and building orientation. Therefore if plans of the building are not available, the building must first be surveyed. Due to the detailed nature of the survey and the information and calculations necessary, the process is much more complex than a Domestic EPC and should not be considered similar in any way other than the end result.

Who is responsible for commissioning an EPC?

The Property Manager, Landlord, owner or developer is responsible for insuring an EPC is made available. Failure to comply could result in a fine of 12.5‰ of the rateable value up to a maximum £5000.

For a quotation please use our online quotation service or contact us directly on 028 796 44344. Alternatively, email us at sales@kellyproperties.co.uk

Quotation Service

Request an Energy Performance Certificate Assessment Quote to allow us to give you an accurate quote please fill in the information below.