- Lighting
- Heating and ventilation
- Controls and meters
- Sensors and timers
- Building fabric
- Equipment
- Biodiversity & Ecosystem
- Renewable energy technology
- Incorporating sustainability in real estate investment decisions seems to pay off. It is expected that rents and transaction prices for green buildings will be higher than for conventional office buildings. RICS is working with Government with a view to ensuring the energy performance of buildings is better reflected in its market value.
- An annual ‘league table’ of organizations’ energy performance will be produced under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme which will inevitably name and shame those at the bottom of the table. The Government may publish information about on-site energy generation alongside the CRC ‘performance league table’ .
- Incorporating social responsibility in the strategy of the firm may enhance the value of the firm, for example, through lower operating costs and increased efficiency. Leasing space in more energy efficient buildings can have a direct impact on occupancy costs.
- Installing local micro-generation systems can be a visible statement to stakeholders that your organization is actively reducing carbon emissions. Some companies lease rent ‘Green’ office space to offset negative corporate images.
- Environmental assessments such as BREEAM rating will provide environmental labels for both landlords and tenants with a yardstick to measure the ‘greenness’ of properties.
Improve Energy performance of your building (why choose us ?)
In many organizations a 20% cut in energy costs can have the same ‘bottom line’ benefit as a 5% increase in sales (The Carbon Trust)
Anecdotal evidence shows that green buildings, on average, use thirty percent less energy than conventional buildings (Kats, 2003).
Identify all measures, from simple low cost measures to bigger changes that require more financial investment so as to effectively implement energy reduction strategy. Using approved building software, simulation is carried out to ensure the most appropriate solution is attained. Measures considered are:
‘Green’ Loans - Funding from Carbon Trust
Energy-Efficiency Loans: These are between £3,000 - £100,000 on a 0% business loans available to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to invest capital in energy saving projects. Larger business that do not qualify for the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency scheme can also apply.
‘Green’ Buildings create added market value
- CRC will apply to large non-energy intensive public and private sector organizations not already covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It is expected many organizations such as offices, banks, supermarkets, retail chains etc will be affected.
- Organizations that use substantial amount of energy, at least 6,000megawatt hour of electricity p.a. (approximately £500,000 p.a. electricity bill) will have to fully participate through the ‘carbon trading’ scheme.
- Organizations that had at least one half-hourly meter settled during 2008 will participate to a lesser extent on the ‘carbon trading’ scheme.
- If your building operates air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW, the first inspection must be completed by 4 January 2011.
- If the person in control of the air-conditioning system changes and the new person in control is not given an inspection report, the new person in control of the system must ensure the air-conditioning system is inspected within three months of the day that person assumes control of the system.
- Air-conditioned general office spaces of approximately 200m2 that assumes typical levels of electrical equipment and 8–10m2 per person.
- Air-conditioned offices with high levels of IT and electrical equipment approximately 100m2.
- Retail spaces with average levels of display lighting of approximately 250m2.
- Retail spaces with high levels of display lighting and illuminated cabinets 150m2.
- A Hotel which has multiple small systems within each room and holding a cooling capacity of 3kW. If a total 4 rooms have the cooling system, then it is within the threshold.
Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC):
CRC is a part of the Government’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 80% in 2050 and it requires significant energy saving measures by organizations. The CRC will be the UK’s first mandatory carbon emission ‘cap and trade’ scheme. Companies will have to start buying carbon allowances to cover their carbon emissions, and that will involve measuring and recording energy use and calculating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
A Phased implementation is expected to start in April 2010 leading eventually to ‘carbon trading’ at the first auction in April 2011, when bidders will be able to buy allowances to cover their 2010 emissions as well as for forecast 2011 emissions.
Who does it affect?
Note: The Environment Agency (EA) will apply fixed penalties for non-compliance.
Air Conditioning Inspections:
Buildings are required to comply with Energy Performance Building Directive (EPBD) therefore further regulations have been issued to ensure inspection of Air Conditioning units is done within a stipulated duration. An air-conditioning system refers to any system where refrigeration is used to provide cooling for the comfort of occupants. This would exclude separate refrigeration provided solely for process applications such as cold stores, pharmaceutical production etc.
The regulations affect you;
Note: There is a penalty for failing to have an air-conditioning inspection report by end of stipulated date.
Some guidelines to identify offices, commercial or retail units that may have reached a threshold of 12kW
