Think green to prepare for energy directive

Commercial building owners, landlords and the public sector should start thinking green to meet new obligations under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Commercial building owners, landlords and the public sector should start thinking green to meet new obligations under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, advises energy specialist Utility Auditing .

The Directive, which aims to encourage energy efficiency in buildings, is seen as key in meeting the EU's Kyoto commitment.

The buildings sector accounts for 40% of the EU's energy requirements and offers the largest single potential for energy efficiency.

Research shows that more than one-fifth of the present energy consumption could be saved by 2010 through applying more ambitious standards to new and refurbishing buildings.

"The Directive introduces fundamental changes in the legislation relating to the energy efficiency of buildings", explained Paul Backx, Managing Director of Utility Auditing .

"Nearly all air-conditioning systems and boilers will require regular inspection to assess their energy efficiency".

"Energy performance ratings - similar in principle to energy labels - will be required whenever buildings are constructed, sold or let".

"These will be based on calculations that take account of the efficiency of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems, as well as the building envelope".

"This means that reliable product and system performance data is essential.".

Both asset and operational certificates will be required for commercial buildings.

Asset certificates will measure the intrinsic energy performance of the building based on its design.

Operating certificates will measure how the building is managed and actually performs.

Asset certificates will have to be renewed every ten years and must be shown on points of sale, lease and lease renewal.

The purpose is to encourage better buying behaviour in both building owners and tenants.

Operating certificates must be renewed on an annual basis and apply initially to buildings with a usable floor area greater than 1000m2.

They must be displayed in all public buildings.

It is envisaged that certification will become compulsory for certain public sector buildings from October 2007, followed by larger (+1,000 sq m) commercial buildings in January 2008, and smaller (+500sq m) commercial buildings from April 2008.

It is anticipated that the private sector will be fully incorporated into the regulations by January 2009 Added Paul Backx: "The likely impact of certificates will be to differentiate between good and bad performers".

"If a building's energy performance can be measured consistently and objectively, it can be managed and priced".

"Market observers believe that certification will affect property values, with better energy performers attracting a market premium".

"There is therefore a powerful business case to take every possible step to improve energy efficiency and to start preparing now".

Utility Auditing is part of the ENER.G group, which can provide a complete end-to-end energy efficiency service for business - from competitive procurement and Carbon Trust energy efficiency audits - to technical energy management control solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting, as well as automatic monitoring and targeting of energy consumption.

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