Display Energy Certificates are required for public buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000m2. DECs show an energy rating for a building which must be displayed in a public place and updated annually. By using a rating system which is based on actual energy bills, it is expected that visitors to these buildings will become more aware of energy consumption issues and act as influencers on future energy policies.
DECs show the Operational Rating for the building, which is the actual energy consumed per square metre over a full year using data taken from actual fuel bills. The occupier of the building is responsible for displaying a DEC in a prominent place which is clearly visible to the public.
The Operational Rating (OR) is a numerical indicator of the actual annual carbon dioxide emissions from the building so that the performance of one building can be compared with that of another. This rating is shown on a scale from A to G, where A is the lowest CO2 emissions (best) and G is the highest CO2 emissions (worst). Also shown are the Operational Ratings for the previous two years; this provides information on whether the energy performance of the building is improving or not.
Q. What does a DEC show?
A. A DEC (Display Energy Certificate) provides a visual energy performance rating based on the actual energy usage of the building recorded annually. A DEC shows the buildings Operational Rating and should be displayed in a prominent position in the building.
Q. What is an Operational Rating?
A. The Operational Rating is a numerical indicator of the actual annual carbon dioxide emissions from the building. Various benchmarks are employed to ensure that the energy performance of one building can be compared with that of another. The building is given a rating on a scale from A to G with A being the lowest CO2 emissions and G being the highest. Operational Ratings from previous years are also displayed on the Certificate to show any improvements or deteriorations in the building’s energy performance. An OR of 100 is the Government benchmark, which is deemed typical of these kinds of buildings.
Q. Which buildings require a DEC?
A. Only public authorities or public institutions (those providing services traditionally associated with local or national government) occupying a building must display a DEC. Other private occupants of the same building are not required to display a DEC. L’atelier can provide you with a DEC as well as an EPC.
Q. How long does a DEC last?
A. A DEC is valid for 12 months.
Q. Do I get anything else with my DEC?
A. Display Energy Certificates are produced alongside Advisory Reports (AR) which are valid for seven years.
Q. What is an Advisory Report?
A. The Advisory Report (AR) is a list of short, medium and long term alterations that can be made to the existing building to reduce total CO2 emissions. Although recommendations within the AR are not required by law to be implemented, following the recommendations will result in a reduction of CO2 emissions, likely to also result in savings on energy bills.
Q. What is required to produce a DEC?
A. The information required to produce a DEC can be split into 2 sections:
1. Energy Usage of the building. The Energy Assessor must have access to energy bills and meter readings for the previous 12 months as a minimum. An interview with a senior member of staff is also often required to ascertain what, if any, energy saving measures are in place throughout the site.
2. Physical Aspects of the building. This includes the building structure, layout and dimensions, heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting systems. This requires a full site inspection and where necessary a measured survey of the building layout and appropriate notations of systems in use and where possible photographs and video of key property areas.
Q. Is there a penalty for not having a DEC or AR?
A. There is a minimum of £500 penalty for failing to display a Display Energy Certificate. There is a £1,000 fine for failure to produce an Advisory Report.