Warehouses • Factories • Workshops • Distribution Centres
Professional Energy Performance Certificates for industrial buildings across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Our accredited assessors specialise in non-domestic EPC surveys for warehouses, factories, workshops and logistics facilities throughout the South West.
Industrial buildings present unique challenges for energy assessment. Unlike standard commercial offices or retail units, warehouses, factories and workshops often feature high ceilings, minimal insulation, large roller shutter doors, industrial heating systems and specialised lighting configurations. These characteristics require assessors with specific expertise in non-domestic energy modelling using SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) methodology.
Energy Performance Direct provides professional industrial EPC assessments throughout South West England, covering Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Our accredited non-domestic energy assessors understand the complexities of industrial buildings—from cold storage warehouses with refrigeration systems to heated manufacturing facilities with process equipment, from small trade workshops to large distribution centres spanning thousands of square metres.
An industrial EPC is legally required when selling, letting or constructing any non-domestic building in England and Wales. For landlords, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations (Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015) require that all rental properties achieve at least Band E. Properties rated F or G cannot be legally let without a registered exemption. Financial penalties are calculated on rateable value and breach duration (Regulation 39), up to a statutory maximum set out in the Regulations.
Distribution centres, storage facilities and logistics hubs
Manufacturing plants and production facilities
Light industrial units and trade workshops
Logistics operations and fulfilment centres
Since April 2023, all non-domestic rental properties must achieve a minimum EPC rating of E. Industrial landlords must ensure their warehouses, factories and workshops meet this standard or register a valid exemption.
Financial penalties are calculated on rateable value and breach duration (Regulation 39 of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015), up to the statutory maximum. Our MEES compliance guidance explains the regulations and exemption process.
Industrial EPCs are calculated using SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model), the government-approved methodology for non-domestic buildings. Our assessors input detailed information about your building's construction, heating systems, lighting and ventilation into specialised software that calculates standardised energy performance.
For industrial buildings, the SBEM assessment considers factors including:
Learn more about SBEM calculations and how commercial EPCs are calculated.
Industrial lighting significantly impacts EPC ratings. Traditional high-bay sodium or metal halide fixtures consume substantial energy. Upgrading to LED high-bay lighting can improve ratings by 10-20 points while reducing energy costs by 50-70%.
Industrial heating systems range from gas-fired radiant panels to warm air heaters. Older, inefficient units with poor controls negatively affect ratings. Modern condensing heaters with zoning controls can substantially improve energy performance.
Poor insulation, uninsulated roller shutter doors, single-skin cladding and thermal bridging at junctions all reduce EPC ratings. Roof insulation upgrades and door seals offer cost-effective improvements for industrial buildings.
We provide industrial EPC assessments throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, covering major industrial areas and business parks.
Yes, all industrial buildings in England require an Energy Performance Certificate when being sold, let or constructed. This includes warehouses, factories, workshops and distribution centres. The requirement applies to buildings over 50m² with a roof and walls that use energy to condition the indoor environment.
A warehouse EPC is legally required when selling or letting the property, when construction is completed on a new warehouse, when making material alterations that affect energy performance, and for MEES compliance checks on rental properties. Landlords must ensure rental warehouses achieve at least an E rating.
The site survey for a typical industrial building takes 1-3 hours depending on size and complexity. Small workshops may take under an hour, while large distribution centres with multiple heating zones may require half a day. The certificate is typically delivered within 5-7 working days of the site visit.
Industrial EPCs are calculated using SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) methodology. The assessment considers building fabric (walls, roof, floor, doors), heating systems (gas heaters, radiant panels, warm air), lighting (high-bay, fluorescent, LED), ventilation, and any renewable energy systems. The rating reflects the building's inherent energy efficiency, not operational usage.
SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) is the government-approved software used to calculate energy performance of non-domestic buildings including industrial premises. It models the building's construction, heating, lighting and ventilation systems to produce a standardised energy rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Industrial buildings commonly achieve ratings between D and F due to characteristics like minimal insulation, large roller shutter doors, high ceilings and industrial heating systems. Older steel-frame warehouses often rate E or F, while modern insulated units with LED lighting may achieve C or D ratings.
Professional assessments for warehouses, factories, workshops and distribution centres across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
793.5 sq m mixed-use building assessed with full Energy Advice Report. Staged improvement pathway from G to A rating, including oil boiler replacement and LED upgrade recommendations.
185.7 sq m adjacent industrial units. Pre-refurbishment SBEM modelling achieving Band C with pathway to B41 through targeted ceiling insulation and weather compensation controls.
364.9 sq m period office building with five-option improvement roadmap. Complete transformation from worst to best EPC band with financial payback analysis and MEES compliance assessment.