The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations introduce the requirement for Display Energy Certificates (DECs) in public buildings by 1st October 2008. From this date a DEC must be prominently displayed in non-domestic public buildings with a gross floor area over 1,000 m2 (this is the area measured from the internal face of your external walls).

A public building is one occupied by public authorities or institutions providing public services to large numbers of persons e.g. Central Government, Local Authority, NHS buildings etc. Buildings such as Leisure Centres, Theatres and Galleries providing services from public funds will also need a Display Energy Certificate. Smaller buildings will also be ‘caught’ by the Regulations on a site where a group of buildings with a combined floor area exceeding 1,000 m2 are connected by a heated space or served by the same heating and/or cooling system. This will impact sites such as Hospitals, Educational Campus’, MOD Camps and some Local Authority facilities.

The Display Energy Certificate will convey the Operational Rating of the building, indicating it’s energy efficiency and CO2 emissions on a scale of A to G. The Operational Rating will indicate how well the building is being managed and operated. The Display Energy Certificates are based on the building's energy consumption, so if you are responsible for a public building affected by the regulations you should start to gather the data (from utility bills etc.) without delay.

What will a DEC look like?

A Display Energy Certificate will convey all the information necessary for the public to take a view on the building's energy performance, and most importantly it will include advice for improvement. Display Energy Certificates will be accompanied by an Advisory Report highlighting measures which, if adopted, have the potential to save energy and money. A DEC will remain valid for one year and the Advisory Report will remain valid for seven years.

Who can produce a DEC?

Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports can only be produced by a qualified and accredited commercial energy assessor.