Vertical gardens — also known as green walls or living façades — are increasingly popular in urban architecture for their aesthetic appeal, biodiversity benefits, and ability to improve air quality. They can also influence a building’s thermal performance by providing shade, reducing heat absorption, and moderating temperature fluctuations.
However, when it comes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments, dense vertical gardens present unique challenges.
How Vertical Gardens Influence Energy Performance
Dense vegetation on building façades can:
Reduce solar gain in summer by blocking direct sunlight.
Improve insulation through additional air layers.
Enhance evaporative cooling by releasing moisture into the surrounding air.
While these benefits are real, EPC modelling software is not fully equipped to measure them accurately.
EPC Modelling Limitations
EPC assessment tools are designed for conventional building envelopes. For vertical gardens, assessors encounter issues such as:
No direct input field: The software typically does not have an option to account for external vegetation shading.
Static assumptions: EPC models assume consistent thermal properties year-round, but plant growth, density, and leaf cover vary seasonally.
Moisture and airflow effects: These are not factored into standard EPC algorithms, even though they affect cooling loads.
For insight into how our team navigates such modelling complexities, visit our About Us page.
Residential EPC and Green Walls
Homeowners with vertical gardens may not see their EPC rating improve as much as expected, despite real-world energy savings. Our Residential EPC service includes detailed assessor notes to highlight such features to potential buyers or tenants.
Fast EPC Updates for Innovative Buildings
If you need a quick EPC update after installing a green façade, our Same Day Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) option ensures your certification is delivered promptly.
Cost and Considerations
Dense vertical gardens can require significant investment and maintenance. For a breakdown of EPC-related assessment costs, see our Pricing Plan page.
Expert Guidance
If you want to know how your vertical garden will be factored into an EPC assessment, speak to our specialists via the Contact Us page.
