EPC legislation in England and Wales is changing
From April 2027, all commercial buildings* in England and Wales, including pubs and bars, will be required to meet a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C. This will rise to B by April 2030. Premises which do not comply could face fines of up to £150,000. While this may sound daunting, we encourage you to view the new legislation as part of your wider sustainability strategy - implementing some simple energy efficiency measures now will not only help you meet the new requirements but can also save an average of 25% on your energy bill¹.
EPCs rate the energy efficiency of buildings on a scale of A-G. The minimum standard that commercial buildings must meet is rising to C by 1st April 2027 and B by 1st April 2030.
All commercial buildings in England and Wales over 50 sqm are required to have an EPC, which is valid for 10 years. Most pubs and bars will therefore need to renew their EPC certificate prior to 2027 to ensure compliance.
Act now to avoid a £150,000 fine and save on your energy bills
Legislation in Scotland may be even tougher
Currently, all commercial buildings in Scotland must have a valid EPC certificate and Action Plan when sold, let, modified, or constructed. Premises which fail to provide an EPC certificate when required could face a fine of 12.5% of the ratable value of the building, up to a maximum of £5,000.
The Scottish Government is still discussing what new regulations will look like but, given their legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, they could set a 2025 deadline for a ‘C’ rating which is stricter than in England and Wales. It is therefore important to act now to avoid potential fines.
Working with a registered EPC assessor allows you to save on your energy bills and meet new requirements at the same time.
An EPC audit will pinpoint areas of high energy usage, identify no and low-cost changes to improve energy efficiencies to help you make savings, and advise on implementation with minimal disruption to the running of your business.
Based on current costs, Compliance365 could help you save an average of £5,000 on your energy bill.
Save 20% on an Energy Saving Audit and follow-up EPC
All eazle and SmartDispense® customers can benefit from 20% off an Energy Saving Audit and follow-up EPC through our partnership with Compliance365 who provide EPC audits and certification nationwide.
Existing eazle and SmartDispense® customers can simply click here or speak to your HEINEKEN Customer Development Manager.
Grow your business with eazle Club discounts
As well as partnerships like this, access exclusive offers and services which are tailored to help you grow your business through our platform – eazle. This forms part of our ongoing commitment to supporting a thriving on-trade and offering value to customers in all aspects of running a pub.
To become an eazle Club customer, please register your interest here.
FAQ's
What is an EPC and how is it assessed?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates the energy efficiency of a building from A-G. It is assessed by an accredited assessor who surveys the property.
How often do I need to have an EPC assessment done?
EPC certificates are valid for 10 years. Most pubs/bars will need a new assessment before 2027 to ensure they comply with the new regulations . In Scotland, you will also have to have a valid EPC (and Action Plan) when sold, let, modified or constructed.
What happens if I don't meet the minimum EPC rating?
You may face fines of up to £150,000 if your property does not meet the minimum C rating by 2027 or B rating by 2030. Enforcement will be carried out at a local level.
How much could improving my EPC rating save me?
Simple upgrades like lighting and insulation could save an average 25% on your energy bills². Higher ratings mean greater savings.
What are the key ways to improve my EPC rating?
Simple switches like changing lighting to LEDs can help reduce your energy consumption, alongside switching off appliances and equipment when they aren’t being used. If your venue has a kitchen, place ovens and other heat sources away from fridges and freezers to avoid them working harder than needed and increasing energy consumption in the process.
Finally, structural changes like installing or upgrading cavity wall insulation or replacing inefficient single glazing can prevent heat from escaping, making the premises more energy efficient and creating potential cost savings.
Advisors, such as Compliance365, can provide recommendations tailored to your site . Compliance365’s sustainability support scheme will cover the cost of qualifying venues’ initial EPC Audit which pinpoints areas of high energy usage and identifies no and low-cost changes to improve energy efficiencies and help you make savings. Changes will also be implemented with minimal disruption to the running of your venue. In addition, the fund will provide up to £5,000 per site towards the cost of any improvements needed.
When do I need to act to be compliant in time?
We recommend having an EPC assessment by 2025 and starting upgrades straight away so you have time to complete works before 2027.
What happens when Compliance365 assess my venue?
Following the initial assessment, the expert consultants will work with each venue to identify lowest cost options that will have the biggest impact, whilst minimising disruption to day-to-day operations.
When are we due to hear more on the updates to Scottish legislation?
We currently expect to hear more at the start of 2025 and will update the website as soon as this is released.
Who are the approved assessors in Scotland?
Based on attributes such as the company’s customer service and sustainability credentials which align with HEINEKEN’s own values, we have partnered with Compliance365 to offer eazle and SmartDispense® customers discounts which are also available in Scotland.
¹ Compliance365 internal data, average savings
²Compliance365 internal data, average savings