GREENFUEL4U.co.uk || Tel: 0116 2599522 | Fax: 0116 2599521

Renewables

GLOOM AS HIPS ARE EXPANDING

The controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs) have seen buyers and sellers getting to grips with the impact of energy ratings on residential properties.

Yet many commercial property owners and landlords remain unaware that next year they will be come under similar legislation.

From April 2008, all commercial buildings must be rated on energy efficiency, a move which aims to save about 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year - a cut of more than 20 per cent.

Tony Hodges, of Spencers Druce Naylor Parkes Chartered Surveyors and Property Consultants, in Leicester, said commercial property owners need to know that not only new, but old commercial properties would have to comply with new energy efficient ratings and this was likely to add to costs. "The new rulings and issuing energy performance certificates are, like HIPs, likely to cause red tape and hold-ups in property transactions," he said. "Factories may be difficult to make energy efficient, and older buildings are likely to be poor and this may bring about regeneration. But whether you are selling or letting you will have to have a certificate.

"In the long term, you need to make people more aware of energy efficiency issues and the fact that energy is finite."

An energy performance certificate will be available whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold. Buildings will be rated on a scale of A-G, on such facilities as lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and the use of water.

Major property developers are already incorporating more and more eco-friendly features in commercial buildings such as turbines to generate power, solar thermal hot water heating, grass roofs to insulate buildings, laminated timber as an alternative to steel and using high efficiency lighting and enhanced skylights that reduce consumption of electricity.

Asset management specialist Rachel Andrew, of the Midlands office of property consultancy King Sturge, said commercial building owners, landlords and tenants need to grasp the importance of energy efficiency and start preparing now.

"Many commercial property owners still haven't grasped the enormity of what is going to happen and we are working with clients to undertake efficiency audits to their buildings in preparation," she said.

(From the Leicester mercury 23/10/07)

Home | About Us | Renewables | Case Studies | Links | Contact Us

site design: uptonaway media