The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the Government's confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, describing the move as an important step forward in improving the energy performance of the UK's commercial building stock.
Under the proposals, larger commercial buildings will be required to meet the higher standard where improvements are considered cost-effective, while existing flexibility measures, including the seven-year payback test and current exemptions, will remain in place.
The BCIA believes the announcement sends a clear signal that improving building performance is becoming an increasingly important priority for the built environment.
Commenting on the announcement, BCIA president Jen Vickers said: "We welcome the Government's decision to strengthen minimum energy efficiency standards for larger non-domestic buildings. These buildings account for more than half of the sector's total floor space and energy consumption, so improving their performance has the potential to deliver significant reductions in energy use, carbon emissions and operating costs.
"The decision to retain existing flexibility measures is also important. Improving building performance must remain practical and commercially viable if organisations are to invest with confidence."
Although buildings larger than 1,000 square metres account for only around 7% of non-domestic buildings, they are responsible for more than half of the sector's total floor space and energy consumption. The BCIA believes the new standards therefore represent a significant opportunity to improve energy efficiency across some of the UK's largest and most energy-intensive buildings.
However, the Association has also expressed concern that smaller commercial buildings will remain subject to the existing EPC E requirement, with no confirmed timetable for further improvements.
"While this is undoubtedly a positive step forward, we would have liked to see greater ambition for smaller non-domestic buildings," continued Jen Vickers.
"Improving the performance of larger buildings will have a significant impact, but there remains considerable untapped potential across the wider commercial property sector. Thousands of smaller buildings could benefit from practical, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, and we hope this announcement represents the first step in a broader programme of reform."
The BCIA believes building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) will play a critical role in helping organisations achieve higher energy performance standards.
Many commercial buildings consume more energy than necessary because heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems are not operating as efficiently as they could. Modern BEMS enable building owners and facilities managers to monitor, analyse and optimise building performance in real time, helping reduce energy consumption while improving occupant comfort and operational efficiency.
The BCIA's white paper, Comfort, Efficiency and Health: The Untapped Potential of Building Energy Management Systems, found that advanced Class A BEMS deliver average energy and carbon savings of around 30%, while generating a return on investment of 143% over ten years in a typical 1,000m² office building. The same research found that advanced building controls represent one of the most cost-effective ways to improve building performance over a ten-year period.
"Achieving EPC B is not simply about replacing equipment or undertaking major refurbishment projects," added Jen Vickers.
"How a building operates every day is equally important. Building controls help organisations understand, manage and optimise energy use, often delivering significant improvements before more extensive upgrades are required. They will form an important part of the solution as building owners prepare for these higher standards."
The BCIA welcomes the Government's commitment to strengthening minimum energy efficiency standards and looks forward to working with policymakers, building owners and the wider industry to ensure building automation and controls remain central to delivering a more energy-efficient, productive and sustainable built environment.