DECs

Display Energy Certificates came into force on 1st October 2008 and this brief guide describes the criteria which will dictate whether you require a DEC, what they incorporate and how we can help you to implement them.

Do I need a Display Energy Certificate?
DEC’s are required by public authorities and institutions providing public services to a large number of people that occupy buildings (or parts of buildings that have been designed or altered to be used separately) where the total useful floor area of the building (or part that has been designed or altered to be used separately) exceeds 1000m2 and which is frequently visited by the public.

What is a Display Energy Certificate?
A Display Energy Certificate shows the energy performance of a building based on actual energy consumption as recorded annually over periods up to the last three years. The display certificate must be ‘placed in a prominent place clearly visible to the public’ such as a reception/entrance area.

Their purpose is to raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to public buildings about the energy use of a building. They provide an energy rating of the building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient and are based on the actual amount of metered energy used by the building over a period of 12 months.

                                                                                 
How do I obtain a Display Energy Certificate?
An energy assessor, accredited to produce display energy certificates, is the only person who can produce a DEC and advisory report for your building.

How long is a Display Energy Certificate valid for?
DEC’s must be renewed every 12 months.

How can we help?
As accredited energy assessors we use government approved software to input data from your building using meter readings, floor area and type of building to produce a Display Energy Certificate and advisory report. This report will contain suggestions for ways to increase energy efficiency in the building for proceeding years. If these measures are implemented the improvements will be reflected in higher operational ratings on future certificates. This demonstrates to all visitors your commitment to energy conservation.