Commercial EPC Ratings in Wigan: Complete Business Guide 2025

A Commercial Energy Performance Certificate in Wigan (EPC) rates your building's energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The certificate is more than just a legal requirement—it provides important insights into running costs and helps identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce expenses.

If a premises is built, sold or leased, it needs a Commercial EPC. There are a couple of Commercial EPC exemptions, like places of worship and buildings dues to be demolished, but as a general rule of thumb, it's usually a requirement.

Beyond regulatory requirements, you can use the certificate to improve your building too. As the world shifts towards a more sustainable mindset paired with ever increasing fuel prices, more and more businesses are looking for efficient buildings. You can use the certificate to identify areas where your building can both boost efficiency and save money.

In this guide we'll explore the meaning of Commercial EPC ratings, why they matter for Wigan businesses and how to make sense of them.

What Are EPC Ratings?

The most energy efficient properties get an A rating on the Commercial EPC. The least efficient, a G rating. The difference in these scores comes down to two factors, the building fabric and its services. This is done through a Commercial EPC Assessment

The onsite assessment takes on average one hour to complete. This can vary quite a bit with building size and complexity though. Once the information has been gathered, software called SBEM is used to calculate the Commercial EPC score, generate SBEM Reports and the Commercial EPC Certificate.

During the on-site Commercial EPC survey, your Commercial EPC Assessor in Wigan will determine how the building is constructed. This is the fabric of your building. Your Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) will look at the walls, floors and roof, note what they are made from as well as any insulation found—either original or retrofitted.

The services of the building are the heating, hot water and lighting. This also encompasses any renewable technology too. Before an EPC assessment, if you can prepare any paperwork to identify specifications or model numbers of your services, your NDEA will thank you.

A higher EPC score for your building in Wigan generates more interest from buyers and tenants. This is due to the lower running costs of these buildings. Many businesses also have sustainability goals too. An A rated property will be more attractive to this kind of business than a C rated one.

Your Commercial EPC Certificate will be generated with a recommendations report. This report contains advised improvements that are specific to your building. You can use this report to guide you to improve the Commercial EPC Score of your building in Wigan.

Your Commercial Energy Assessor will be able to help you increase your score too. Using SBEM, various scenarios can be modelled to show the impact of individual improvements. This helps to focus budget on the areas with the largest impact.

General advice is to begin with a 'fabric first' approach. In practice, this means that it is best to fix the structure of the building first before upgrading to energy efficient services. Add insulation to the walls, floors and roof to limit wasted energy. Once your structure is optimised, the benefits of any upgrades to your services will be multiplied.

We're Wigan’s Commercial EPC Specialists. We often see Victorian buildings in Wigan that have had little improvement to its original construction, properties around Market Place (WN1) are a great example of this. Solid brick walls, suspended timber floors and loft spaces, all without insulation. This is usually a significant impact on the EPC score. It varies from case to case, but insulating these surfaces to modern building standards could represent an increase of up to three bands.

Why EPC Ratings Matter for Wigan Businesses

In 2007 the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive came into law and with it, the introduction of the Commercial EPC. Over the years the rules have been tightened with the last significant update in April 2023.

Under current law, businesses in Wigan need to ensure that whenever their building is constructed, sold or leased it has a valid, in-date, commercial EPC. If you're leasing a building this now applies to all tenancies, not just new ones. To be able to lease a commercial building it needs to have an EPC score of no worse than a E band. Wigan businesses need to comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) which make it illegal to rent a property that falls below this grade.

You can face a maximum fine of £150,000 for breaching these EPC regulations.

Beyond compliance, here's how a good EPC score benefits your Wigan business:

• Reduce Overheads
• Help You Reach Sustainability Goals
• Unlock Cheaper Borrowing
• Improve Property Value & Marketability

Reduce Energy Costs For Wigan Businesses

Properties that have a higher commercial EPC score are cheaper to run than those that do not. This efficient EPC banding represents a property than not only wastes less energy, but also uses it effectively. There is a direct correlation, if your Wigan building has a high EPC score, your quarterly energy bills will be less than a building with a lower EPC score.

Boost Commercial Space Sustainability In Wigan

The modern business is environmental conscious, many with carbon reduction targets and other green initiatives. Building energy usage makes up a significant proportion of most business' carbon footprints and the Commercial EPC is a measure of how well it performs. Increase your EPC score to lower your carbon footprint.

Wigan Council's Outline Climate Change Strategy aims to decarbonise not only it's own operations, but that of the commercial activity in the borough too. The target is 2038. The strategy promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable practice to businesses in Wigan.

The council emphasise retrofitting buildings, upgrading infrastructure, and adopting green technologies to cut emissions from industrial and commercial sectors. The strategy highlights cost-saving opportunities, increased competitiveness, and new market potential for businesses, aligning with Wigan’s goal of building a resilient, low-carbon economy while addressing climate challenges. There are additional benefits to Wigan's business owners too.

Cheaper Mortgages For Wigan Businesses

Lenders are catching on that an EPC has significant overlaps with a condition report. Buildings that have a higher EPC rating are likely to be well maintained and have had several upgrades over the years. They see these investments as posing less of a financial risk too. The occupiers will be spending less money on energy costs, meaning they have more free capital and are less likely to default on repayments. Due to these factors, a number of lenders are offering discounted rates for buildings with a higher commercial EPC score.

Improve The Value & Marketability Of Your Commercial Unit In Wigan

Selling or renting commercial space in Wigan? You need to be aware that properties with a better EPC score generate more interest and command a higher price at market. This is because they're more sustainable, cheaper to run and cheaper to borrow against. You can improve the value of your commercial space in Wigan by improving the properties commercial EPC score.

Looking for a quick Commercial EPC? Call on 01925 699 321

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Understanding Your Commercial EPC Report

When you get a Commercial EPC in Wigan, it is made up of 2 documents, the certificate and the recommendations report.

Let's look at the Commercial EPC Certificate first.

On the certificate you'll see the Energy Rating & Score section. Here you'll find how your property ranks on an image showing every band. A rated properties are at the top of the list and G rated are at the bottom. This is the important figure.

You'll also find a break down of the properties energy performance in the next section. This offers a bit more detail than the band calculations.

Here are the Building Emission Rate and the Primary Energy Usage figures. You can use this information to give you an overall view of the impact of your building. The Building Emission Rate, also known as the BER, shows how much CO₂ the building generates per m² per year. The Primary Energy Usage is how many kW/h of energy the building consumes per m² per year. When improving the Commercial EPC score of your building, you are lowering these two numbers. Using less energy and creating less emissions.

Unlike the Domestic EPC, which bases the final EPC score on the cost of running the house, the commercial equivalent is focused on consumption and emissions.

Improve The EPC Score Of Your Commercial Property In Wigan

Discussed earlier, improving the score of your commercial property in Wigan has many benefits, whether operate from or lease it.

The Recommendations Report that comes with your certificate has actionable advice that is specific to your property. Combining this with speaking to your Commercial Energy Assessor in Wigan will focus budget on making improvements that have the largest impact on your score.

We recently worked with a office and warehouse business in Wigan who needed to increase their Commercial EPC score as part of a re-mortgaging application. They were offered a reduced rate if their property attained a Band C. It was currently sitting at an E Band.

We audited the building and ran some scenarios with different upgrades. We we're able to boost the properties EPC score to a C Band, with very little cost. Prior to our recommendations, they had a space heating system in the warehouse that cost a fortune to run and wasn't really needed. There was also no insulation above the heated offices. By adding this insulation above the heated offices and turning the warehouse into an unheated space—by removing the space heaters—this was enough to increase the Commercial EPC score by two whole bands!

Knowing how to read your EPC recommendations report—most people do not know it is even there—and consulting with an accredited commercial energy assessor can help you prioritise low cost adaptations that can make a big difference.

The Landscape Of The Commercial Property Market in Wigan

Wigan's commercial property market reflects its rich industrial heritage, from historic mill conversions in the town centre to modern industrial estates like Martland Park (WN5) and South Lancs (WN4) Industrial Estate. Each area presents distinct energy efficiency challenges - Victorian buildings around Wallgate (WN3) and Market Place (WN1) often struggle with solid wall construction and outdated systems, while larger industrial units at Martland Mill face different challenges with high bay lighting and warehouse heating.

Modern developments at Pioneer Way and Challenge Way Business Park typically achieve better EPC ratings thanks to contemporary building standards. However, established industrial areas like Ince Moss Industrial Estate (WN7) and Swan Lane Industrial Estate (WN2) often see lower ratings due to aging infrastructure and industrial-scale heating requirements.

Local trends show encouraging progress in energy efficiency improvements, particularly in newer developments at locations like Millgate Technical Park. However, many smaller businesses, especially those in older premises around Wigan town centre and Leigh, face barriers to upgrading their properties. This is particularly evident in areas like Chapel Lane and Standishgate, where historic building constraints can limit improvement options.

Wigan Council's commitment to sustainability is driving positive change through targeted support programs. The council offers practical assistance to businesses, including energy efficiency audits and grant funding for improvements. Major business hubs like Martland Park are seeing increased uptake of these initiatives, with several units implementing LED lighting upgrades and modern heating systems. These improvements, supporting the borough's 2038 net-zero carbon goal, are gradually transforming Wigan's commercial landscape while helping businesses manage their operating costs more effectively.

Book Your Commercial EPC in Wigan

Commercial EPCs in Wigan are a vital tool for it's businesses, offering both compliance and opportunities for improvement. From historic buildings in Market Place to modern units at Martland Park, every commercial property can benefit from understanding and optimising its energy performance. Whether you're selling, leasing, or simply looking to reduce operating costs, a Commercial EPC is your first step toward better energy efficiency. Our team of accredited assessors understands Wigan's diverse commercial property landscape and can help you navigate the process effectively. Ready to get your Commercial EPC or improve your building's rating? Contact our Wigan team at 01925 699 321.

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