Energy performance of buildings in Northern Ireland

If you are seeking information on the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations in England and Wales please visit www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates.

The Energy Performance of Building (Certificate and Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

The Energy Performance of Building' (Certificate and Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 were made on 24 February 2014 to respond to outstanding requirements of the (recast) Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings 2012/31/EU .

The key changes which came into operation on 25 February 2014 are:

• requiring technically feasible, cost-effective recommendations in the EPC to address improvements that could be carried out with and without major renovations
• displaying an EPC in certain buildings on construction

Measures to improve energy performance of buildings in Northern Ireland

Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Even comparatively minor changes in the energy performance of, and the way we use, each building would have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption, and hence, carbon emissions.

Given the UK Government's support for the Kyoto Protocol and its challenging targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, reducing the energy consumption attributable to buildings is a key policy objective.

The Department of Finance is responsible for measures in Northern Ireland to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, including:

• requiring energy performance certificates for properties which provide A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement
• requiring public buildings to display energy certificates
• requiring inspections for air conditioning systems

From 30 December 2008 all properties - homes and commercial - when constructed or being marketed for sale or rent require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Large public buildings must also display an energy performance certificate, known as a Display Energy Certificates (DEC).

This initiative is the result of European legislation - the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the 2010 recast - which all Member States are required to adopt.