The Assessment Process

When your non-domestic EPC assessor visits the property, they will look at a number of factors in order to determine the energy-efficiency of the property – and give it an ‘energy rating’. The commercial assessor will need to have access to every part of the property to be able to carry out the assessment properly.

The production of a measured floor plan unless we can obtain a scaled drawing. A floor plan to work from will reduce the time needed on-site and any disruption to the day to day operation.

Some of the factors that they will look at include:

• The size of the property
• The property construction type and build date
• The lighting that is installed
• The heating/ventilation and AC systems in the building and how they are controlled
• The hot water system including boilers

    
From this information they will then be able to rate the energy-efficiency of the property from A to G – with ‘A’ being the most efficient, and ‘G’ being the least.

 

Lighting
The assessor will need the lights on and off to identify the bulb/tube, a lighting design from the lighting installer can be useful.

 

Windows/Doors
The assessor will also measure the windows and doors of the property and identify single, double, or triple glazed windows.

 

The EPC assessor will take a series of photographs and measurements of each room. The photographs could be of the heating and lighting or other elements. This is because the assessors are regularly audited to make sure that they are consistently producing top quality EPC assessments.

 

The assessor is also likely to ask you questions about the construction of the property – including when it was built, details of any additional construction work that has been done, whether the property has had cavity wall insulation, whether you have heat recovery or renewable technology installed.

 

Although the process of getting an EPC is thorough, as long as you have relatively easy access to all parts of your property, it is not a disruptive process. In addition to being a legal requirement when you sell or rent a property, it can also be a useful tool to improve its energy-efficiency.

 

Check an assessor is registered

If you know an assessor’s name and want to check their details, you can find an assessor by name.

https://getting-new-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-a-non-domestic-assessor/search-by-name