SETTING SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS FOR CLIENTS TO FOLLOW

As one of the industry's foremost voices on sustainability, Whitecode Consulting leads by example. But with its main office in an 19th century building, how have the MEP consultancy specialists identified the thermal upgrades that will have most impact and improve their energy efficiency?

Whitecode Consulting have produced a carbon management plan that targets a 5% reduction of its carbon footprint each year, towards net zero before 2050. Since 2021, the company has reduced the carbon footprint per employee by 33% and it recently made significant improvements to the firm’s Northfleet office. This included the installation of a new energy efficient roof and insulation in the loft space.

The biggest challenge was the age of the building. Dating back to the late 1800s, the building features solid brick walls, which can’t be filled with cavity wall insulation. The firm therefore had to investigate other ways of insulating the property to reduce reliance on heating systems and the resultant energy consumption. The new roofing installation allowed a more energy efficient roofing material to be fitted, along with effective insulation.

As a result of the comprehensive works, the building’s EPC rating rose to a ‘D’. With a major focus on reducing its impact on the environment, the company is currently investigating the energy efficiency benefits of adding solar panels onto the roof, which could increase the EPC rating to a ‘C’.

In addition to the roof refurbishment and insulation installation, Whitecode Consulting has also made alterations to the company fleet, ensuring they are all hybrid vehicles, and installed automated building controls to enhance energy efficiency.

The company is inherently aware of the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards that are set to have a major impact on the built environment in the years to come. Indeed, the potential upcoming regulations could mean that commercial buildings and other non-residential properties will need to have achieved an EPC rating of ‘C’ by 2027 and a ‘B’ by 2030.

The changes to the regulations, introduced in April 2023, will render any non-domestic buildings that do not comply much less appealing to landlords, investors, and tenants. Known as ‘stranded assets’, these properties would be unable to be rented or sold until the relevant EPC rating has been achieved.

With this in mind, it’s imperative that any building owners are putting plans in place now to improve their buildings and ensure compliance with the upcoming regulations. Of course, one of the best ways of doing this is seeking advice and support from experienced professionals.

Whitecode Consulting specialises in proven and trusted sustainability advice, helping clients from across the UK improve their premises and work towards their individual sustainability targets, such as EPC and BREEAM ratings.