Non-Domestic Energy Assessment
Commercial & Non-Domestic EPC Assessments
Energy Performance Certificates for offices, retail, warehouses and business premises across the North West. From £150, Level 5 accredited assessor.
Level 5 · Nationwide
Need to Improve Your Commercial EPC Score?
There is often a better rating sitting in the same building. Dynamic Simulation Modelling is the most detailed assessment method available, and because it models how your property actually performs rather than falling back on cautious assumptions, it frequently returns a higher score with no physical works at all.
Most commercial EPCs are produced with SBEM, a simplified calculation that works from monthly averages and applies conservative defaults wherever building detail is missing. DSM simulates the building across a full year instead. We're Level 5 accredited, so we can produce either and will tell you which one suits your property.
If you're working towards MEES compliance, it's worth establishing your accurate rating first. It may be higher than your current certificate suggests, and that changes what you need to spend.
What is a Commercial EPC?
A commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - also known as a non-domestic EPC - rates your business property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It's been a legal requirement since 2008 for any commercial building being sold, let, or constructed.
Unlike domestic EPCs which use a simplified methodology, commercial EPCs require specialist software to model the building's energy consumption. The calculation accounts for the complexity of commercial heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems - factors that vary enormously between different types of business premises.
The certificate provides an energy rating based on the building's theoretical energy performance, along with recommendations for improving efficiency. It's valid for 10 years and is stored on a national register where it can be accessed by potential buyers, tenants, and their advisors.
For businesses unsure whether they need a commercial certificate, we've written a detailed guide on who needs a commercial EPC covering the legal requirements and exemptions.
When Do You Need a Commercial EPC?
You're legally required to have a valid EPC whenever you sell or let a commercial property. The certificate must be in place before you market the property, and the rating must be included in all commercial property listings and advertisements.
For landlords, the requirements extend beyond simply having a certificate. Since April 2023, all commercial rental properties must meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) - meaning they need at least an E rating to be legally let. This applies to all tenancies, including those that were already in place before the regulations came into force.
New commercial buildings require an EPC before occupation, typically produced as part of the Building Control process. Major renovations that replace more than 25% of the building envelope also trigger the requirement for a new certificate.
If your building is over 500m² and frequently visited by the public, you must display the EPC in a prominent location. This applies to shops, hotels, leisure centres, restaurants - anywhere the public regularly enters. The occupier is responsible for displaying it.
More detail in our guide to commercial property EPC regulations.
Why Commercial EPCs Matter for Your Business
Legal compliance aside, a commercial EPC tells you something useful about running costs. Energy isn't cheap for businesses, and the rating gives tenants and buyers a sense of what they're signing up for.
Ratings matter more now than they used to. Many corporate tenants have sustainability policies requiring buildings that meet certain energy standards. A poor rating shrinks your tenant pool and can knock rental values.
There's evidence it affects sale prices too. Properties with higher ratings command premiums. F or G rated buildings face steep discounts, if they're lettable at all under MEES.
The government wants to raise minimum standards further. Timeline keeps slipping, but it's coming. Better to plan now than scramble later.
More on this in our article on how EPCs affect property value.
How Commercial EPCs Are Calculated
Commercial EPCs use different calculation methods depending on building complexity. Understanding these helps explain why assessments take longer and cost more than domestic EPCs.
SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) is used for most commercial buildings. It's government-approved software that models energy use based on the building fabric, heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and ventilation systems. Level 3 assessors use SBEM for simpler buildings; Level 4 assessors use it for buildings with complex HVAC systems and new builds.
Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) is required for the most complex buildings - those with atria, automatic blind controls, or advanced features that SBEM can't accurately model. DSM uses specialist software like DesignBuilder or IES, simulates the building across a full year instead of using monthly averages, and requires a Level 5 accredited assessor. We're Level 5 accredited, so we produce DSM assessments ourselves. It's also worth considering on buildings that would ordinarily get SBEM, because the more accurate method frequently returns a better rating with no physical works.
Both methods require detailed information about the building: accurate dimensions and floor areas, construction details for walls, roof, floors and glazing, specifications for all heating and cooling equipment, lighting types and controls, and ventilation system details.
For more on what to expect from the assessment process, get in touch and we'll walk you through it.
Your Commercial EPC Includes
Energy Rating
A-G rating based on building fabric, systems, and fuel types
Detailed Report
Breakdown of energy use by heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation
Recommendations
Cost-effective improvements with estimated savings
MEES Compliance
Clear indication of whether the property meets minimum standards
Level 3, 4 or 5: Which Does Your Building Need?
Non-domestic energy assessors hold Level 3, 4 or 5 accreditation. The level determines which buildings they are permitted to assess, and which calculation method they use.
Level 3 covers simpler commercial buildings with standard heating and ventilation. Small offices, retail units, simple warehouses, light industrial premises. Uses SBEM.
Level 4 covers buildings with complex HVAC systems - air conditioning, advanced ventilation, variable refrigerant flow - and all new build commercial properties. Also uses SBEM.
Level 5 uses Dynamic Simulation Modelling instead of SBEM. It is required for buildings with atria, automatic blind controls, enhanced thermal coupling or highly glazed facades, and it is permitted on any building as the more detailed method.
We're Level 5 accredited. Whatever your building, we can assess it, and we can use either method. For most properties SBEM is perfectly adequate. Where DSM would give a fairer result, we'll tell you and you can decide.
More about Level 5 and DSM assessments →
Our guide to finding a commercial EPC assessor explains more about what to look for when choosing an assessor.
MEES: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Properties
Since April 2023, it's been illegal to let any commercial property with an EPC rating of F or G. This applies to all tenancies - not just new leases, but continuing existing tenancies too. The regulations affect landlords, not tenants, though tenants may be impacted if their landlord cannot achieve compliance.
The penalties for non-compliance are substantial. For properties with a rateable value under £250,000, fines can reach £50,000 for breaches of less than 3 months, or £100,000 for longer breaches. Higher value properties face fines up to £150,000. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement.
Exemptions are available in limited circumstances. You can register on the PRS Exemptions Register if: all cost-effective improvements have been made but the rating still falls short; necessary third-party consent (tenant, planning authority, superior landlord) has been refused; improvements would devalue the property by more than 5%; or for listed buildings and conservation areas, where improvements would unacceptably alter the building's character. Exemptions last 5 years and must be renewed.
In June 2026 the government finally published its response to the long-running MEES consultations. Commercial buildings above 1,000 square metres will need to reach EPC B by 2031, subject to exemptions and to the necessary secondary legislation being passed. Buildings below that threshold remain at the current E minimum. The previously proposed interim step of EPC C by 2027 has been dropped - a lot of guidance still online repeats that date, so check anything you have been told against the current position.
If you hold anything over 1,000 square metres, the sensible first move is establishing what your building genuinely rates rather than assuming the existing certificate is accurate. A Level 5 DSM assessment models the building far more precisely than SBEM does, and frequently returns a better rating without a penny spent on the property itself. That tells you whether you are facing a works programme or simply an out-of-date certificate.
We cover the regulations in detail in our MEES rules guide for commercial landlords.
How to Improve Your Commercial EPC Rating
If your property is rated E or below, you'll need to consider improvements - either to meet MEES requirements or to enhance the property's market position. Commercial buildings offer different improvement opportunities compared to residential properties.
Lighting upgrades usually pay back fastest in commercial buildings. Swap fluorescent tubes for LEDs, add presence sensors and daylight dimming, and you'll see real improvements to your rating. Running costs drop too. Most businesses recoup the investment within 2-3 years.
HVAC upgrades can make a difference. Replacing older heating and cooling equipment with more efficient systems improves your rating. Heat recovery ventilation, higher efficiency chillers, and modern boiler plant all contribute.
Insulation improvements depend on the building construction. Roof insulation is often the most cost-effective for commercial buildings, particularly those with flat roofs. Wall insulation may be feasible for some buildings, while draught-proofing can address air tightness issues.
Renewable energy makes a big difference. Solar PV panels on flat roofs are popular for commercial buildings and can push you up one or two bands.
Every commercial EPC includes recommendations tailored to your building. For detailed guidance, see our article on understanding commercial EPC recommendations.
All Types of Commercial Property
From small retail units to large warehouses, complex offices and highly glazed modern buildings.
Retail & Shops
High street shops, showrooms, supermarkets, and retail parks
Offices
Single offices, business centres, and multi-storey headquarters
Industrial & Warehouses
Distribution centres, factories, and storage facilities
Hospitality
Restaurants, cafés, pubs, hotels, and guest houses
Leisure
Gyms, sports facilities, cinemas, and entertainment venues
Mixed Use
Buildings with retail, offices, and residential combined
Running a café or restaurant? See our specific guide to commercial EPCs for cafés.
Commercial EPC
From £150
Pricing varies by property size and complexity. See our full pricing details or get a quote for your building.
What Happens During a Commercial EPC Assessment?
Commercial EPC assessments are more involved than domestic ones, reflecting the complexity of business premises. The duration depends on building size and complexity - a small retail unit might take 1-2 hours, while a large office or warehouse could take 3-4 hours or more.
During the site visit, the assessor surveys the building fabric (walls, roof, floors, windows), documents all heating and cooling systems with their specifications, records lighting types and controls throughout the building, and notes ventilation arrangements. Accurate floor areas for different zones are measured or verified against plans.
Having documentation ready speeds things up and helps accuracy. Floor plans, heating and cooling specs, construction details, previous energy assessments. The more you've got, the faster we're done.
After the visit, the data goes into SBEM software to calculate the rating. Simple buildings: certificate same day. Complex ones with detailed HVAC systems take longer to model properly.
For a detailed walkthrough of the process, get in touch and we'll explain what's involved for your specific building.
Understanding Commercial EPC Ratings
Commercial EPC ratings follow the same A to G scale as domestic certificates, but the underlying calculation is different. The rating measures the building's theoretical energy performance, allowing comparison between different buildings regardless of how they're actually used.
Unlike domestic EPCs which estimate running costs for a typical household, commercial EPCs focus on the building's inherent efficiency. Actual energy use depends on how the building is occupied and operated, so it won't match the theoretical model exactly.
Band A represents exceptional efficiency - typically modern buildings designed to high environmental standards with renewable energy generation. Bands B and C indicate good to very good efficiency. Band D is average for commercial buildings, while E represents the current minimum standard for letting.
Bands F and G indicate poor efficiency - these properties cannot legally be let without a registered exemption. They typically have outdated heating systems, poor insulation, inefficient lighting, and other features that drive up energy consumption.
For a more detailed explanation of how ratings work, see our article on understanding EPC ratings.
Commercial EPC Exemptions
Some commercial buildings are exempt from needing an EPC, though the exemptions are narrow. Most properties will still need a certificate when sold or let.
Listed buildings are not automatically exempt. You'll still need an EPC when selling or letting. Listed status can help with MEES though - if certain improvements would unacceptably alter the building's character, you can register an exemption from having to make those specific changes.
Temporary buildings with a planned use of less than 2 years from construction are exempt. This covers genuinely temporary structures, not buildings that have simply been used for a short period.
Industrial sites and workshops where a low energy demand activity is carried out may be exempt if the building uses minimal energy for heating or cooling. Most industrial buildings still need one though.
Very small buildings under 50m² that are standalone (not part of a larger building) are exempt. Buildings due for demolition with relevant planning consent in place are also exempt.
If you're unsure whether your property is exempt, get in touch and we can advise based on the specifics.
Commercial EPC Service Areas
We provide commercial and non-domestic EPC assessments across the North West and Greater Manchester.
Don't see your area? Get in touch - we may still be able to help.
EPC FAQs
Common EPC Questions
What is a commercial EPC?
How long does a commercial EPC assessment take?
What is MEES and does it affect my property?
Why is commercial EPC pricing variable?
What documents should I have ready?
How quickly can I get a commercial EPC?
Do you cover all types of commercial property?
What's the difference between Level 3, 4 and 5 assessors?
What is SBEM and how does it work?
Do I need a commercial EPC or a domestic one?
Can I register for a MEES exemption?
What happens if I let a property with an F or G rating?
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