What is an EPC and why should you care?
An Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is designed to deliver a rating of the energy performance of a building. This certification supports the transition to more energy efficient buildings in South Africa.
An EPC provides a measure of the energy performance of a building – a rating from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least efficient rating.
According to legislation that was gazetted in December 2020, all privately-owned buildings belonging to specific occupancy classes with a net floor area of more than 2 000sqm must have an EPC by December 2022.
Furthermore, the property owner must display the Energy Performance Certificate in the building where it is visible to the public.
The relevant occupancy classes, as defined in SANS 10400 XA, are:
- Offices (class G1)
- Places of entertainment and public assembly (class A1)
- Theatrical and indoor sport (class A2)
- Places of instruction (class A3)
At present, shopping centres and buildings with other occupancy classes do not need an EPC by the deadline of December 2022.
For more information on EPCs, click here