Inteb’s special energy recognition helps office owners reach environmental goals

A MAJOR achievement by Inteb sustainability specialist Tom Weldon is putting UK commercial property owners and managers firmly on course to reach their vital environmental goals.

Tom, 30, has become one of the first registered assessors in the country for the NABERS UK Energy for Offices scheme, designed to improve energy performance in new buildings.

The NABERS UK initiative was initially launched following the success of an Australian model and expanded towards the end of last year by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to specifically focus on commercial office operations and provide training in accurately rating their energy efficiency.

The nationwide scheme will now play a major role in bridging the performance gap between the design and in-use energy performance of offices in the UK and create much-needed transparency for the market.

Tom explained:

“This assessment scheme only went live last September and will play a massive part in getting the built environment – including office buildings – to reach its net zero targets by 2050.

What makes it special is that it now allows Inteb to accurately measure a building’s energy efficiency and its carbon emissions as well as the water consumed and waste produced then compare it to similar buildings. The assessment also includes heating, cooling systems, common area lighting and lifts.

So it’s good news for property owners, property managers and asset managers who, after being awarded their rating from one to six stars, can accurately target the energy performance of their properties.”

Tom, a graduate in Environmental Assessment and Management from Liverpool University, added:

“A massive spin-off from a rating between four and six is the financial benefit to owners as they can get higher valuations for their buildings along with longer leases and lower vacancies.”

Also attractive to prospective occupiers and investors are the reduced running costs of an energy-efficient building. Using NABERS Australia as a benchmark, average savings of energy bills over 10 years have been reported at between 30 and 40 per cent.

The difference between the NABERS UK Energy for Offices scheme and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is that it measures the actual energy use within the building while an EPC measures its design performance and only suggests what optimal performance might look like.

Ratings cover a building’s heating, cooling systems, common area lighting and lifts, allowing owners to understand which are under their control so they can make changes and let occupiers know of any steps they need to take to reduce carbon emissions. They also give investors a clear insight into energy efficiency measures being undertaken.

Tom Kelly, commercial director at Birkenhead-headquartered Inteb, said:

“Like all the team at Inteb, Tom is a champion of our commitment to our partners in the built environment that commercial properties become not only environmentally-friendly but are healthier places where their staff can work and thrive.

Becoming one of the country’s first registered assessors to help owners and managers reach their zero carbon targets is a great achievement. Already in Australia, NABERS covers more than 86 per cent of the office market, the vast majority receiving star rating of 4.5 and above. With his expertise, I am sure we can contribute to helping the UK reach those targets too.”

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