By Frikkie Malan, head of sustainability at Remote Metering Solutions
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which display the energy performance of buildings, may only be issued by SANAS-accredited energy performance certification inspection bodies. This ensures compliance with relevant standards and provides assurance of the qualifications, training, and experience of the personnel involved in certification.
A building owner is responsible for providing the information required (as per SANS 1544) for certification and may engage internal staff or consultants to assist with gathering the information. However, the certification must be done by an accredited EPC inspection body.
Both the SANAS and SANEDI websites provide a list of accredited EPC inspection bodies. All accredited inspection bodies are issued with a certificate displaying their unique accreditation number and scope of accreditation.
A long time coming
Contrary to public perception, EPCs were not announced overnight. The draft regulations for the mandatory display and submission of energy performance certificates for buildings were gazetted for public comment in July 2018.
Prior to this, in December 2014, the EPC standard (SANS 1544:2014) was published. The implementation of the EPC regulations in December 2020 was therefore to be expected.
The regulations apply to private and state-owned buildings that meet the criteria for the mandatory display of an EPC. Non-compliance with the December 2022 deadline, which is considered a contravention of the National Energy Act, could see building owners being fined up to R5 million and/or face imprisonment for up to five years.
For more information, go to: https://www.epc-certification.com/
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About Remote Metering Solutions
Established in 2005, Remote Metering Solutions (RMS) is the largest privately-owned South African utilities network manager. We serve more than 2 300 retail, office, and industrial properties as well as numerous local councils and municipalities. RMS removes the complexity of measuring and validating the consumption of electricity, water, or gas regardless of the metering point or device, geographic location, or time interval.
Through the RMS Sustainability Services division, the company can assist its customers to comply with the recently gazetted legislation pertaining to energy performance certification. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy performance of a building and gives a rating valid for five years. EPCs provide property owners with insight into the energy saving potential of a building and will help to identify those buildings where the greatest potential for energy cost saving exists, directing funds to harvest these opportunities.
The RMS Sustainability Services division is a SANAS-accredited inspection body with a team that includes engineers, software developers, utility management specialist, and technicians. The company has more than 160 000 metering points under management. The division has a broad and comprehensive sustainability vision for its clients that goes beyond the issuing of EPCs which are the first step towards achieving this vision.
RMS manages properties across South Africa and other SADC countries. RMS assists its clients with recovering more than R5-billion in utilities per annum.