Mitsubishi Electric has produced a free, CPD-accredited guide to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) which take effect from April 2018.

From that date it will be illegal to lease out a building with an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of Band F or G. It is estimated that there are almost 400,000 buildings that may not make the grade.

The Standards will apply to domestic and commercial buildings and the guide addresses the impact of MEES on commercial premises.

MEES aims to raise energy efficiency standards in buildings across the UK by encouraging building owners and managers to undertake upgrades to achieve better EPC ratings. The ultimate goal is to move the commercial property sector in stages to a minimum of Band C by 2030.

Around 18 per cent of the UK's commercial stock falls into the F and G Bands for EPC ratings. This puts about 200,000 commercially lettable buildings into the remit of the new MEES rules. A further 17 per cent of commercial buildings have an E rated EPC, putting them in danger of dropping quickly into an unlettable category in the future.

The CPD Guide examines MEES in-depth, including what types of building are most likely to be affected and what exemptions may currently apply. The Guide explains which actions might be the most cost-effective when it comes to improving an EPC rating and the technology options that are available.

To download a version visit http://library.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/ and click on CPD Guides.