Guidance

How Heating, Cooling & Lighting Affect an EPC

The services that most influence non-domestic EPC outcomes.

Note: This is a general guide for UK commercial property owners and professionals. Non-domestic EPC regulations, registers and processes differ across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Always check the current position on GOV.UK and the relevant national register before acting on any specific matter.

Heating and cooling

The heat generator and its fuel usually dominate the result. Direct electric heating scores poorly against the notional building; condensing gas plant performs adequately; heat pumps with good seasonal efficiency perform strongly. Comfort cooling adds load, but efficient plant with good controls limits the penalty.

Lighting

Lighting is often the cheapest route to a better band. The model responds to installed power density (W/m²) and to controls — presence detection, daylight dimming and time control all reduce the modelled consumption. Documented luminaire data beats assessor defaults every time.

Ventilation and controls

Specific fan power, heat recovery efficiency and the sophistication of the control strategy all feed the calculation. A well-commissioned BMS with zoned time and temperature control is worth real points and is rarely captured without evidence.

Next steps

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Related guidance

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