Commercial EPCs: Everything You Need to Know
“…88% of commercial properties currently fall below future proposed standards…”
What are Commercial EPCs?
Commercial EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) are an important legal requirement for many business premises across the UK. If you are selling, renting out, constructing, or significantly altering a commercial property, there is a strong chance that you will need a valid EPC.
A commercial EPC assesses the energy efficiency of a building and gives it a rating from A to G, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ the least.
When Is a Commercial EPC Required?
You will usually need a commercial EPC if you are selling or renting out a commercial property, completing a newly constructed building, or making significant changes to a property’s layout and heating, ventilation, or air conditioning systems.
If business owners do not provide a legally required EPC to prospective buyers or tenants, they can face fines ranging from £500 to £5,000 depending on the building’s rateable value.
In some cases, building owners must also display EPCs publicly. This requirement generally applies to buildings with a total useful floor area of more than 500 square metres that members of the public frequently visit, where an EPC has already been produced for the building’s sale, rental, or construction.
Commercial EPC Exemptions
In some rarer cases, you may not need an Energy Performance Certificate if the building falls into one of the recognised exemption categories. These can include listed or officially protected buildings where minimum energy efficiency requirements would unacceptably alter the property, temporary buildings intended to be used for two years or less, places of worship, and certain industrial, workshop, or agricultural buildings with low energy usage. Detached buildings with a total floor space under 50 square metres may also be exempt. A buyer or tenant may qualify a vacant commercial building for exemption if they intend to demolish and redevelop the site, and have applied for the relevant planning permission.
Other exemptions may apply too, but most modern commercial buildings that are actively in use, such as offices and retail units, will require an EPC at some point.
Why Commercial EPCs Matter
According to Office Principles, an estimated 88% of commercial properties currently fall below future proposed standards. This means property owners and facilities managers could face significant challenges in the coming years as regulations continue to tighten.
However, commercial EPCs are far more than just a legal requirement. They can provide valuable insight into how efficiently your building operates, identify areas for improvement, and help reduce both energy usage and operating costs.
Improving your EPC rating can also increase property value, improve marketability, support ESG targets, enhance tenant satisfaction, and help future-proof your building against upcoming regulation changes.
EPC Ratings for Commercial Buildings
Commercial EPCs use an A-G rating scale, where ‘A’ represents the highest level of energy efficiency and ‘G’ the lowest.
As of April 2026, the minimum EPC rating for commercial properties remains an ‘E’. However, proposed future legislation could require commercial properties to achieve:
- A minimum rating of ‘C’ by 2028
- A minimum rating of ‘B’ by 2030
If introduced, these changes could require many businesses and landlords to make significant energy efficiency improvements to remain compliant.
The Benefits of Improving Your EPC Rating
Reduced Operational Costs – Improved energy efficiency can help lower utility bills and reduce overall energy consumption.
Increased Property Value and Marketability – Buildings with stronger EPC ratings are often more attractive to buyers, tenants, and investors.
Improved Tenant Satisfaction – More energy-efficient buildings can create more comfortable working environments and lower running costs for occupiers.
Enhanced ESG Credentials – Improving building efficiency can support wider environmental and sustainability targets.
Future-Proofing Your Property – Investing in energy efficiency improvements now can help protect your property against future regulatory changes.
Why Choose Green Energy Switch for Your Commercial EPC?
At Green Energy Switch, we provide professional commercial EPC services across a wide range of property types.
Competitive Pricing – We offer highly competitive rates for commercial EPCs across the UK.
Fast Turnaround Times – Our experienced team works efficiently to provide clear timescales and prompt delivery.
Exceptional Customer Service – We pride ourselves on being friendly, approachable, and easy to work with, offering support throughout the process.
Profit for Purpose – As a profit-for-purpose company, all profits are gift-aided to environmental charity PECT, helping support environmental projects and a greener future.
Get Your Free Commercial EPC Quote Now
Take the first step towards improving your building’s energy efficiency and reducing business energy costs.
Fill out our quick form today for a free commercial EPC quote and discover how we can help support your property compliance and sustainability goals.
ABOUT US
Green Energy Switch (GES) delivers a broad range of energy services across the UK; specialising in working with social landlords and local authorities. Established in 2006, GES is a subsidiary of environmental charity PECT. We gift-aid any profits to PECT to help fund their vital work. In doing so, we are the lead sponsor of their Forest project. So far over 131,000 trees have been planted, equating to a remarkable reduction of over 1,300 tonnes of carbon emission.
