EPC software delay

The release of the new software for calculating and producing energy performance certificates or EPCs of buildings has been delayed until the 27th March 2011. The Communities department has stated that this is because it wants to better understand the significant differences between the existing and new versions.
The updated version was due to be released in October to coincide with the new Part L which comes into force on the 1st October 2010.
This means that the old 2006 software can only be used in the intervening time. The energy modelling becomes more of a problem for engineers using different versions of the iSBEM. In these cases two sets of modelling will need to be used.
Although it is unlikely that buildings will be completed until some time after the 1st October there will be problems associated with issuing EPCs for new build projects completed before March 2011.
As a reminder EPCs are required when work to a building is complete or when a building is let or sold.