What To Know
Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
With the exception of Scotland, any buildings accessed by the public with a floor area greater than 250 m2 are required to a Display Energy Certificate (DEC).
A DEC must be accompanied by a valid Recommendation Report which contains suggestions to improve energy efficiency and energy performance of the building.
There are slight variances on the requirements depending on the size of the buildings, as detailed below.
- For buildings over between 250m2 and 1000 m2, the DEC has a validity of ten years.
- For buildings over 1000 m2, the DEC has a validity of one year and must be renewed annually.
The operational rating on a DEC illustrates how efficiently the building is using energy. To calculate this rating the Energy Assessor will require information on the:
- The type of building under assessment.
- The total floor area of the building.
- The annual energy use of the building (gas and electricity).
- The methods used to heat and cool the building.
In addition, the accompanying Advisory Report provided by your energy assessors will provide relevant guidance to assist you in improving your operational rating in subsequent years requiring additional information:
- How heating and cooling is controlled.
- The use and method of heating/cooling water in the building.
- Type of lighting used in the building.
- Any onsite energy generation (renewables etc).
Some newer buildings will have this information to hand, especially if the facilities managers have been maintaining a logbook or operations and maintenance manuals (O&M); but often, this information will need to be collected.
DECs show the energy performance of a building by using an A-G rating system and how the building is performing, compared to the previous DECs issued. A DEC would apply to; Schools, Historic Buildings, Museums, NHS Trusts, Universities, Emergency Services and Local Authority buildings.
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