Mandatory display of Energy Performance Certificates for buildings

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are a now a reality in South Africa and the deadline of December 2022 for the mandatory display of energy performance certifications in certain building types is fast approaching.

At the core of Energy Performance certification is a building’s energy performance in terms of a rating scale – from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least.

Industry watchdogs and experts are determined that this certification represents progress in South Africa’s commitment to keep up with international best practice for keeping track of the country’s energy consumption.

Since the Regulations for the mandatory display of energy performance certificates was gazetted in December 2020, it is now law for certain commercial, non-residential buildings to display an EPC by December 2022.

Failure to display an Energy Performance by the December 2022 deadline is a contravention of the National Energy Act of 2008 and can result in significant penalties for non-compliance.

The new EPC regulations enables consistent benchmarking of energy consumption at a national level. Furthermore, investors and tenants who are committed to sustainability efforts would be more easily drawn to the transparency of a building’s energy performance that an EPC provides. Securing an EPC is a matter of collecting specific building information for a twelve-month period.

This data includes amongst others, identification of energy carriers (energy form or system, including but not limited to, electricity, gas, fossil fuels, and renewable energy) net floor area and energy consumption.

This information must be validated by a SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) accredited inspection body who will calculate the building rating and issue the EPC which must be displayed in the building.