Understand legislation & other guidelines

Have you considered sub-metering of electricity and water, even zonal controls for your heating, ventilation and lighting? Implementing energy efficient technologies will save cost and have less of an environmental impact.

The EU European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
EPBD was implemented by UK Government in 2006. It has brought in legislation which will help cut buildings’ carbon emissions and tackle climate change. (www.diag.org.uk)

The Sustainable & Secure Buildings Act 2004
Extends the purpose of the Building Act 1984 so as to improve the sustainability of the building stock in England & Wales in respect of energy efficiency, preventing waste, furthering the protection of the environment, facilitating sustainable development and furthering the prevention and detection of crime. (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/ukpga_20040022_en_1)

Part L of Building Regulations
It is divided into two sections, L2A & L2B. L2A is for new buildings and covers the capping of carbon emissions allowed to be designed into the building and imposing minimum construction quality criteria. L2B is for refurbishments in buildings with over 1000m2 of useful floor area and has 3 sections. Section 1 is concerned with the energy efficiency of a building when it is improved. Section 2 gives guidance on efficiency measures that should be added during extensions and alterations, and Section 3 gives guidance on dealing with thermal elements including roofs, walls and floors, and taking reasonable steps to limit heat gains and losses (www.communities.gov.uk/buildingregs/).

Revised Part L of Building Regulations, due in 2010, will require a further reduction of 25% in carbon emissions from 2006 levels. These reductions are likely to drive cost increases through the wider use of mixed mode and low energy systems and renewables.

Part F of Building Regulations
The Government’s commitment to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, requires buildings to be more airtight and more energy efficient. Air tightness is now measurable and defined in Part L of the building regulations. The developments in Part F reflect these changes, accounting for the requirement to ventilate efficiently for human comfort and health, whilst using proven technology such as Heat Recovery ventilation and energy saving LoWatt motors to achieve this (www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADF_2006.pdf).

ISO14001
Is the international accreditation for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It exists to help organisations minimise how their operations negatively affect the environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations. An EMS is a framework that helps a company achieve its environmental goals through consistent control of its environmental operations.

Only work with fit out companies that are officially ISO14001 accredited by a UKAS (the UK governing body) accredited auditor. (www.ukas.com)

Public sector organisations normally only work with ISO14001 accredited suppliers.

Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)
CRC only applies to companies that use over £1m of electricity per year. It is an early product of the Climate Change Act which will introduce a carbon trading scheme for large energy users. Over time, the cost of the carbon credits will rise, providing further incentives for emissions reductions.

April 2010 to September 2010 is the qualification period when organisations are required to measure their electricity use in preparation for the first phase of the scheme.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
EPCs are required when any building is sold, rented out or constructed, and sometimes after refurbishment work. EPCs give information on a building's energy efficiency in a sliding scale from 'A' (very efficient) to 'G' (least efficient). A recommendations report setting out how the rating could be improved accompanies every EPC.

Only accredited energy assessors can produce EPCs for business premises. They analyse how buildings are constructed, insulated and serviced, and the type of fuel being used. If you are choosing a property from which to run your business, comparing EPCs can help you find the most energy efficient premises.

Display Energy Certificate (DECs)
Show the actual energy usage of a building and help the public see the energy efficiency of a building. This is based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. The DEC is clearly displayed at all times and clearly visible to the public. A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building.

DECs are only required for buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000m2 that are occupied by a public authority and institution providing a public service to a large number of persons and therefore visited by those persons. They are valid for one year. The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for seven years. Revisions to the European Performance of Buildings Directive, coming into force for public buildings in 2010, will lower thresholds on display energy certificates, placing greater emphasis on managing operational energy in use through enhanced controls.

Zero Carbon Projects
All commercial buildings are required to be zero carbon by 2019. Public buildings have to comply by 2018. Therefore, it is important that you work with a contractor who can offer you a carbon offsetting facility.

Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Is the standard setter and authority on building services engineering. It publishes guidance and codes which are internationally recognised as authoritative, and sets the criteria for best practice in the profession. (www.cibse.org)