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Bill for energy efficient public sector buildings
20 May 2008
The Public Sector Buildings (Energy Performance) Bill has had its second reading in parliament.
If it is successful and becomes an act, all buildings acquired by a minister of the crown for his department will be required to have an energy efficiency rating of A or B.
The A and B ratings are the most efficient in the scale, with G being the least efficient, which is also used for appliances such as fridges, washing machines and cookers.
Communities minister Ian Wright has called on the business community to work together to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
He said: "Driving up energy efficiency in buildings means more than improving the fabric of the buildings. It means ensuring they are used and managed in a sustainable way."
Large commercial properties and all new homes have been required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) since April 6th this year.
In July all buildings with a floor area greater than 2,500 sq m will require an EPC and all commercial buildings will require one from October.
All public buildings will require a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) from October to provide similar information.
Pat Davies, partner in the commercial property practice comments: "Buildings with A or B ratings will be far easier to let as the running costs will be lower and in time, as compensation for paying higher energy bills, the rent on buildings with high energy usage may have to be discounted to attract tenants to a building."
The bill will now go to the committee stage and will be debated in the House of Commons.
