Importance of non-domestic energy audits
The Carbon Neutral Roadmap was approved by the States Assembly on the 29 April 2022. It outlines proposed policies to start our journey to net zero. One of the 4 main categories of policies is heating, cooking and cooling. This includes policies targeting the business sector.
Business sector emissions can be lowered by improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. The first step is to understand their energy efficiency and identify improvements that could be made. This can be done through a commercial energy audit and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
A
home energy audit scheme is also available for domestic properties.
An online tool to create non-domestic EPCs has been developed for Jersey. The first cohort of non-domestic energy assessors have now completed their training.
About non-domestic energy audits
A non-domestic energy audit is a survey to tell you how energy efficient a non-domestic property is. The more energy efficient the building, the more money you will save on your energy bills.
Having an energy audit done on your property tells you:
- how much energy you’re currently using
- recommendations of improvements to increase energy efficiency
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is awarded as part of a commercial energy audit.
Apply for funding for a non-domestic energy audit
The non-domestic energy audit subsidy scheme is now live. Government are offering up to £500 towards the cost of a non-domestic energy audit. Funding is dependent on the size of the property:
- £250 for a property under 2,000sqft
- £500 for a property over 2,000sqft
You can apply for funding if you:
- own the property
- are a tenant of the property with responsibility for the maintence and replacement of the property's heating system and have permission from the landlord to apply for this scheme
Apply for non-domestic energy audit funding
Funding is limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Government within five working days letting you know whether your application is successful. Your funding must be confirmed before the site visit takes place and must be carried out by an accredited assessor.
It is recommend you get three comparison quotes before you select your assessor, though you can get as many quotes as you wish.
Funding will be valid for eight weeks from the date it is issued. If the audit is not completed by the agreed date or any other terms and conditions are breached, the full cost of the audit is your responsibility.
Payment of Grants
The value of the grant will be paid directly to the accredited assessor. The property owner will be responsible for paying the remainder of the cost directly to the assessor.
The value of the grant will be paid once:
- the EPC has been lodged with Quidos
the assessor has notificed Government of Jersey of the CEA reference number and corresponding EPC
the value of the grant will only be paid if the energy audit is carried out within the grant validity period
Government funding of a maximum of £500 is available towards the cost of a non-domestic energy audit. Assessors are responsible for collecting the full value of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on this service. As it is a grant payment, GST should not be itemised on the invoice sent to government. Property owners will need to pay GST as normal and will be responsible for paying anything over the grant amount.
Landlords and multiple homes
Landlords or businesses that own more than one property may apply multiple times. Up to 10 subsidies can be claimed per person.
Find an accredited assessor
The below assessors have been accredited by Quidos.
If you are a newly qualified assessor and would like to be included in this list, contact energyadvice@gov.je.
Become a non-domestic energy assessor
To become an accredited non-domestic energy assessor, you need to:
- complete Level 3 and 4 non-domestic energy assessor courses
- complete the Jersey-specific Quidos upskill module
- complete the accreditation process with Quidos
Only those with a registered business in Jersey are able to offer this service in Jersey.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
An EPC tells you how efficient your property is and gives it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). Information about how the building was built and how it is heated is used to generate an EPC.
It gives you a personalised list of improvements that can increase the EPC rating.
EPC ratings give you a standardised way to compare your property with others.
EPCs can only be generated by a qualified assessor.
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