What we do

Energy performance of buildings

Driven by the European Union's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the UK government is planning to introduce a market mechanism to improve building energy performance.

Specifically, the government is working on an energy certification scheme that will rate buildings, similar to the A-G ratings for domestic appliances. The scheme will require all new and existing buildings to display certificates that illustrate theoretical building energy use using a standardised model (ie asset rating).

Public buildings over 1000m2 (and possibly private buildings with high public traffic) will be required to prepare an operational rating, based on historical energy use data, which indicates how the building actually performs in current use.

The intent of the new scheme is to provide information to buyers and tenants to help aid their decision making process with real information about environmental performance. In the longer term, the scheme could affect property values.

We are carrying out two important studies. The first is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and is producing a sustainable development business plan for the commercial property sector. The second, funded by the Carbon Trust, is assessing and benchmarking energy use in buildings and identifying improvements to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.