March 2019 – London Property Certificates

Tips to Improve EPC Ratings of your Commercial Building

Commercial buildings in the UK are required to obtain Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when it constructed, sold, or rented. The EPC displays the energy rating on a scale of A to G and is valid for 10 years.

As soon as the building is being offered up for sale or rent, it becomes the seller/landlord’s responsibility to make the EPC available to the renter/buyer free of cost. Commercial EPC in London is necessary before the building can be put on the market.

How to improve your EPC rating

There are many ways to improve your EPC ratings. In this article, we will share some important tips to make your commercial property more energy efficient.

Make Your Lighting Energy Efficient: Lighting make a huge difference to the commercial rating. This is the reason you must optimize your lighting in order to score a better rating. If you have a large property, then you must consider getting a full lighting design to improve your rating further.

Use Energy-Saving Heating Methods: The heating system that you use in your commercial building can play a huge role in getting you a better rating. Therefore, ensure that you have an efficient air-conditioning unit, especially if that is the primary system used for heating. If you don’t have a central heating system, consider getting one that is incredibly efficient.

Insulate your Walls & Roof: When you plan refurbishment of your building, you should consider adding an extra layer of insulation for metal clad or solid brick properties. Follow the same step for your roofs as well, especially if you have an industrial warehouse or a building. If possible, consider adding basic insulation to improve your EPC rating.

Lighting & Heating Controls: One of the cheapest and the most effective way to improve energy efficiency is to incorporate your lighting with some kind of sensors or control that can reduce wastage. The lighting control can be sensor-enabled that can eliminate energy lighting wasted in unused space. You can do the same for heating as well. Install some thermostatic control to lower energy consumption. By following these methods, you can give your EPC rating a good boost.

Invest in Renewable Sources of Energy: Renewable energy can prove to be a worthy investment for your business. Since you know the times of maximum energy consumption, you can limit its usage and get a better return on investment. For example, solar energy production and usage time coincide. As a result, you can reduce your reliance on artificial sources of energy and bump up your EPC rating.

In today business scenario, being energy efficient is not only the need of the hour but also a worthy investment in your own future. The best course of action is to speak with your local energy assessor to offer you tailored expert advice and also provide you with EPC in London if and when you need one.

Infographic: 4 Vital Legal Safety Requirements For Tenants and Landlords In London

People often rent out their property to create an alternate source of income. But renting out one’s property in London is not a cakewalk these days. There are many formalities which need to be fulfilled by a landlord before he rents it out. An Energy Property Certificate is one of them. It includes details about the energy consumption and cost along with recommendations on how the landlord can save energy.

The Gas Safety Certificate, on the other hand, certifies that all gas equipment within the property is safely installed and maintained. It is essential for a landlord to hand over a copy of this safety check to his tenant. Electrical Safety certificate includes inspection and declaration of all portable appliances, sockets, fixed wiring, and light fittings as safe for use. In the case of Houses In Multiple Occupation(HMOs), it is a must to install fire alarms and fire extinguishers. An electrical safety inspection needs to be done in an HMO every five years.

Why You Should Inspect Your Electricity on A Consistent Basis

When was the last time you got your electricity inspected?

If you have been living in your home for a number of years now, and have yet to come across any problems with lighting, appliances, or other electric-related utilities, your first encounter just might happen as soon as tomorrow. Electricity in the home must always be contained and utilized in a safe and stable manner, and over time, you might not realize or be aware of any problems with electricity and a certain appliance until it is too late.

For instance, there could be some areas of the home where not enough power is received, resulting in dim lighting and inadequate energy for your appliances to function properly. Too much power can also be an issue, in which it could cause long term harm for the appliances, such as your washer or furnace. And of course, your appliances or lights might not even turn on at all, in which case you will need to find the root of the problem with a professional inspection.

Here are a number of suggestions for having safe and adequate electricity in the home for many years to come.

Keep a regular maintenance routine

Of course, the easiest way to know that all your fittings, appliances, cables, and connections are working properly is to inspect them yourself. Every three to six months, you should take a look at all your connections and objects that receive power to make sure they are all working as intended. If a light is dim and replacing it doesn’t change anything, or if a certain outlet it just too unstable, contact an electrician so that you can properly address your electrical concerns.

Obtain a certificate of compliance

An Electrical Safety Certificate is a certificate of compliance for electrical installations. This certificate acts as proof that the work done by a professional electrician has been done safely and within the guidelines of British Standards. This certificate of compliance for electrical installations should be kept within your home for future reference, and should stay with the home should you decide to move. Don’t have an electrician work on your home without this certificate.

Purchase a set of safety switches

If you do not own safety switches already, consider buying some soon, as they can prevent in causing serious harm to your home’s electrical setup. Safety switches allow you to carefully observe the current flow of power and can provide a swift cut in that power, in the event should something go amiss. Safety switches help identify electrical hazards and other potential problems that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to identify on your own. With that said, they are crucial tools that prevent freak accidents that could cause harm, or even death, from occurring in your house, which is all the more reason to invest in them.

What if you rent a home?

Regarding any electrical issues related to a home that you are renting, contact your landlord or real estate agent at your earliest convenience because the landlords of the home you live in should be completely obligated to ensure all electricity is maintained properly throughout it.

Why you shouldn’t wait to conduct a thorough inspection by a qualified electrician

If you have not had an inspection of your home in a long time, it is best that you set up an inspection with a professional as soon as you can. Delays in the inspection process means that any possible problems with your electricity can get worse over time, which can be more detrimental to your wiring and/or appliances.