A · B · C · D · E · F · I · L · M · P · R · S
A
Asset rating
The number on a non-domestic EPC. An index of calculated carbon emissions against a notional reference building – lower is better. 0–25 is band A, 26–50 band B, and so on.
B
BER – Building Emission Rate
The calculated annual CO₂ emissions of the building being assessed.
BUS – Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Grant toward heat pumps, covering domestic and small non-domestic buildings in England and Wales.
C
Compliance notice
A notice from a local weights and measures authority requiring evidence of your MEES position, reaching back up to six years.
D
DEC – Display Energy Certificate
An operational rating based on metered consumption, required for large public buildings. Not the same as an EPC and not what MEES measures.
Dilapidations
A claim against a tenant for breach of repairing covenants. Capped by section 18(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 at the diminution in the value of the reversion.
DSM – Dynamic Simulation Model
Approved software running an hourly simulation, used where SBEM cannot represent a building properly.
E
ECO4
A domestic energy efficiency obligation on suppliers. Not available for commercial property.
EPC – Energy Performance Certificate
The asset rating certificate. Valid for ten years. Required on construction, sale and letting.
Exemption
A registered, evidenced position that the MEES standard does not require you to act. Five years for most grounds, and it does not renew itself.
F
Full expensing
A 100% first-year capital allowance for companies on qualifying main-rate plant and machinery, with 50% for special-rate expenditure.
I
Integral features
A capital allowances category covering electrical and lighting systems, heating, ventilation, air cooling, lifts, cold water and external solar shading.
iSBEM
The interface an assessor uses to enter a building into SBEM. Not a separate method.
L
Lodgement
The act of registering a completed certificate on the national register. The ten-year life runs from here.
M
MEES
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. In England and Wales, the rules restricting the letting of sub-standard property.
P
PRS Exemptions Register
The public GOV.UK register on which MEES exemptions – and published breaches – are recorded.
Publication penalty
Publication of a MEES breach on the public register, available in addition to a financial penalty.
R
Rateable value
The Valuation Office Agency's assessment of a property's annual rental value. Non-domestic MEES penalties are calculated on it.
RdSAP
The reduced data methodology used for domestic EPCs. Not comparable with SBEM.
Relevant energy efficiency improvement
A measure that pays back within seven years from the energy saving it produces. If a measure qualifies, you are required to install it.
S
SBEM
Simplified Building Energy Model – the national calculation engine behind most non-domestic EPCs.
SER – Standard Emission Rate
The emissions of the notional reference building your building is compared against.
Seven-year payback test
The commercial cost test. Installed cost divided by annual saving; seven or under and the measure is compulsory. There is no cost cap.
Split incentive
The structural problem in commercial MEES: the landlord bears the capital cost and holds the duty, while the tenant pays the energy bill and banks the saving.
Find the certificate you already have
Search the Energy Performance of Buildings Register for your building. It is free, there is no sign-up, and it takes about ten seconds.