If you are trying to let or sell a property that might be taken by a large business, then you need to know about the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC)!

Why?

If the tenant/purchaser you are looking for could be a large business, then with effect from 1 April 2010 it might be affected by the CRC, and if so, must estimate its annual CO2 emissions and buy credits.

Initially the scheme intended to recycle this revenue between participants. However, the CRC is now to be a direct tax on CO2 emissions and the government has stated that it hopes to raise around £1billion from this carbon tax.

Therefore these businesses will look very carefully at your building and, in the absence of hard data around energy consumption and CO2 emissions, they may look to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which is a requirement by law. This may affect their decision as to whether or not to take your building, and/or possibly the rent/price that they are prepared to pay. Fortunately there are things that can be done:

• Ensure that the EPC is as accurate as possible, and that the assessor carrying out the EPC has a reputable accrediting body. Examples of which include; the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
• Give careful consideration to the implementation of the recommendations in the EPC where economically feasible
• When refurbishing a building you should appoint an energy consultant/specialist project manager to advise in respect of the works (see our Eco Project Management Service)
• With new build properties you should obtain a certificate showing compliance with Part L2A of the building regulations

Fortunately help is at hand:
Andrew Cooper CPEC offer experienced BRE level 4 accredited assessors (Why use a BRE assessor), meaning that they can deal with complex buildings, and deal with the whole of the regulatory framework, including:

• Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's)
• Building Regulations Part L2A compliance advice, and issue Part L2A compliance certificates.
• The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
• The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)
• SBEM Calculations

Why not let us help you, or your client. We will be pleased to deal with your queries, or provide further information, and look forward to hearing from you.