How Do I Make My Property More Energy Efficient?

The built environment remains a considerable roadblock to net zero, with buildings accounting for 39% of global carbon emissions. With one in six buildings built before 1900, the UK has some of the oldest commercial and housing stock in the world, meaning that improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings to make them fit for a net zero future is vital to ensure the UK can meet its 2050 target.

The latest changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), which originally came into force in April 2018, are designed to improve the energy efficiency of these older commercial buildings. From 1 April 2023 it became unlawful to let or continue to let a commercial property with an EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’, meaning that owners whose properties don’t meet these standards will need to make improvements, or face a fine of up to £150,000.

This makes it ever more vital for commercial landlords to retrofit energy saving measures such as plant upgrades, fabric improvements or renewable technology to increase their EPC rating to an E or more. It’s also anticipated that from the 1 April 2027 buildings will need to meet a minimum EPC rating of C, increasing to EPC B in April 2030, meaning that building owners and facilities managers should act now to improve their building stock for the future.

While there are a small number of exemption routes for the MEES regulations, inefficient properties are harder to lease, generate lower rents and impact the overall value of your property, meaning that it pays to ensure your buildings stay ahead of the curve of the current minimum standards. So, how can you make your property more energy efficient?

Making your commercial property more energy efficient involves a combination of building design, technology implementation, and operational practices. Here are some steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your commercial property:

Air leakage control

One of the simplest and most crucial ways to ensure that your property is as energy efficient as possible is by controlling air leakage. Frequent leakage areas include gaps under doors and around windows, and even ventilation channels connecting to the outdoors.

Caulking can be applied to cracks around window frames and doors and is a service that you can do at home or call in professionals to help. Furthermore, caulking drastically cuts heating costs and is beneficial to the environment by limiting gas emissions into the atmosphere.

Weather stripping can also be used to stop air leakage. Some of the added benefits include increasing VAC efficiency, where your heating and cooling systems can operate more efficiently since they don’t have to compensate for the conditioned air escaping outside.

Upgrade to double glazed windows

There’s no doubt that double glazed windows are an easy way to make your property more energy efficient. The air or gas sealed between the two layers of glass acts as an insulating barricade that decreases the transfer of heat between the interior and exterior. The additional benefit from this is that double glazing is effective in all weather conditions; during winter, it stops heat from transferring from the interior to the exterior, and in summer, it prevents heat from moving into the interior – which ultimately will reduce your energy bills.

Solar Panels

The installation rate of solar panels is on the rise within the UK, and it seems to be for good reason. Solar panels are one of the main ways of giving your property the ‘energy efficient’ status.

Solar panels require no fuel. That’s right, instead of relying on harmful fossil fuels like other power plant systems, solar panels make their energy from direct sunlight which contributes to a considerable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Despite contrary belief, solar panels still generate electricity during the colder seasons. Whilst the sun is lower in the sky, conditions are cloudier and wetter, the PV performance will still be productive.

Another great benefit of solar panels is that they offer an opportunity for home/property owners to engage in net metering. Rather than wasting energy accumulated from solar panels, net metering allows the chance for you to sell the excess energy to a power company via the grid. Besides this advantage, net metering prevents energy wastage and causes the whole effectiveness of the energy system to improve.

Solar panels are also a renewable energy source that utilises the sun’s energy to turn into fuel without emitting greenhouse gases. Renewable energy sources help to keep properties energy efficient as they can be replenished continuously by natural processes.

Natural lighting

There are different ways you can implement natural lighting into your property, such as painting the interior white and keeping windows clean, but the most common, and arguably effective way, is installing rooflights/skylights into your property.

Rooflights are designed to allow natural daylight to enter a building through the roof. When properly designed and installed, rooflights can offer several benefits that contribute to energy efficiency:

Daylight Harvesting: Rooflights provide a direct source of natural daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. This can lead to significant energy savings, as lighting typically accounts for a substantial portion of a building’s energy consumption.
Reduced Electrical Lighting Demand: By using natural daylight, especially in areas with high lighting demand, you can lower the energy consumption associated with electric lighting. This is particularly beneficial in commercial buildings that have extended operating hours.
Improved Indoor Comfort: Natural daylight from rooflights can create a more pleasant and visually appealing indoor environment. It can positively impact occupant mood, productivity, and overall comfort.
Balanced Light Distribution: Rooflights can provide uniform distribution of natural light throughout a space, reducing the occurrence of dark corners and minimizing the need for supplementary artificial lighting.
Less Heat Generation: Unlike electric lighting, which generates heat, natural daylight from rooflights does not contribute to indoor heat gain. This can be especially advantageous in warmer climates, as it reduces the load on cooling systems.
Potential for Passive Solar Heating: In cold climates, well-placed rooflights can capture sunlight and contribute to passive solar heating, helping to warm interior spaces naturally and reducing the reliance on heating systems.
Energy-Efficient Glazing Options: Modern rooflights often come with energy-efficient glazing options, such as low-E coatings and insulated glazing, which help to prevent heat transfer and UV radiation while allowing daylight to enter.
Integration with Building Controls: Rooflights can be integrated with building automation and control systems to regulate lighting levels and adjust artificial lighting based on available natural daylight.
Architectural Aesthetics: In addition to energy efficiency, rooflights can enhance the architectural design of a building, creating unique and visually appealing spaces that stand out.
Renewable Energy Source: Natural daylight is a renewable resource, and harnessing it through rooflights aligns with sustainable building practices and reduces a building’s overall environmental impact.

When incorporating rooflights for energy efficiency, it’s important to consider factors such as orientation, size, location, and the potential for glare and solar heat gain. Proper design and installation are critical to optimising their benefits and minimising any potential drawbacks.

Consulting with rooflight manufacturers (such as Glazing Vision), architects, designers, and energy experts can help you design and implement a comprehensive energy-efficient building strategy that incorporates the benefits of rooflights.

Looking for a commercial glass specialist? Get in touch, we’d be happy to help.