Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

It seems that over the last few months there have been two buzz words that can be consistently heard over the coffee table and the water cooler...property and sustainability.

These two words have become such a huge part of our every day lives that they seem to have taken over from the weather as THE topic of conversation for us Brits.

With declining house prices, soaring energy costs and worries over global warming, it seems that we can no longer afford to just focus on our own individual homes and businesses, we are now being asked to look beyond the front door at the impact we are having on our environment.

In addition to taking smaller measures such as turning down thermostats and water heaters, from October 1st when we buy, sell, build or rent any type of building an EPC must be provided.

The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Display Energy Certificates (DEC) will make a significant difference to the way in which we think about energy use in our homes and business premises - and the RICS is 100 per cent behind this. The scheme will help ensure that energy efficiency becomes integral to the business decision to buy or occupy a building.

How do the certificates work? EPCs assess how energy efficient the building should be, based on its design and heating and cooling systems whilst DECs (obligatory for public buildings with a floorspace over 1,000m2) show actual energy consumption by the occupier, based on fuel bills and meter readings.  

Improving the energy efficiency of a building can mean either making changes to the building itself, or changing the owner's and occupant's behaviour towards saving energy. Whilst EPCs and DECs may be accompanied by recommendations and advice which is for guidance only, it is clear that by acting on them people could cut their energy consumption, save on bills and safeguard the environment.

There are some excellent websites giving advice on how to save energy. A couple of my favourites are:

The Energy Saving Trust - http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home_improvements
The Carbon Trust - http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy/

In today's current climate, whilst there will be an initial cost outlay to hold either certificate, it is hoped in the long term that this will be outweighed by the energy savings that can be achieved through their recommendations. The price of an EPC is set by the accredited organisations (the RICS is one) which issue them, however, they should be included within the cost of Home Information Packs (HIPs).

If an EPC is required which is not part of a HIP, the cost for an average house is likely to be around 100 pounds. However, the requirements and responsibility for paying for EPCs is somewhat a grey area. For instance, landlords will need to make an EPC available to prospective tenants the first time a home is let from 1 October 2008. However, letting out a flat to tenants in a shared building does not require a standalone EPC.

The use of energy in buildings is responsible for approximately 45 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions and non-residential buildings account for around half of this. Even comparatively minor changes in energy performance and the way we use buildings will have a significant effect on energy consumption - and therefore carbon emissions.

It is time to start thinking beyond our four walls and look out at how our daily lives are impacting on the environment. Based in a region dangerously prone to the effects of rising sea levels, East of England businesses should be leading the way.