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From 1 October 2008 Display Energy Certificates have become a statutory requirement for public buildings with a total useful floor area exceeding 1,000sqm which are regularly visited by a large number of people and are occupied (or part occupied) by either. This will soon include all buildings over 500sqm and then 250sqm. After this it will be rolled out to commmercial premises in much the same way.
DECs must be carried out by a qualified energy assessor. |
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BUILDINGS
A building is defined as “a roofed construction having walls for which energy is used to condition the indoor climate” and a reference to a building includes a reference to a part of a building, which has been designed or altered to be used separately. This means that if part of a building is occupied by a Public Authority or institution providing a public service, which currently exceeds 1,000 sq.m and is regularly frequented by a large number of persons then that part of the building occupied will require a DEC.
The three types that come under the DEC umbrella:
A. It is a public building;B. Exceeds a total useful floor area of 1,000 sq.m; and
C. Frequented by the public
DISPLAY ENERGY CERTIFICATES
A DEC provides a visual energy performance rating based on actual energy consumption recorded annually. A DEC is valid for one year and must be updated annually. Each DEC has an Operational Rating (OR), which is a numerical indicator of the actual annual carbon dioxide emissions from the subject building. Various criteria are employed to ensure that the energy performance of one building can be compared with that of another. A building is given a rating on a scale from A to G with A being the lowest CO2 emissions and G being the highest CO2 emissions. Operations ratings from previous years are also displayed on the certificate to show the changes in the building's energy performance. An Operational rating of 100 is the Government benchmark, which is a typical energy consumption for that type of building. The OR is produced using a software tool made available by the Government called the Common Information Point (CIP) by an accredited energy assessor to calculate the CO2 emissions.
ADVISORY REPORTS
From 1st October 2008 buildings are also required to have an Advisory Report (AR), which is valid for seven years. The 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 if the recommendations are followed, the total CO2 emissions will be reduced and long term savings can be made. The energy assessor can also include additional item that he/she believes will aid in reducing CO2 emissions at the end of the AR in addition to those selected by the assessor from the list produced by the software.
REQUIRED DATA TO PRODUCE A DEC
Energy meter readings of the last 15 months, floor plans, and details of the building and energy services. All relevant information is then entered into the approved software program, which is regularly updated and the DEC and AR are then produced. If the occupier of the building cannot provide meter readings or floor areas, the energy assessor will be required to contact the main energy suppliers to obtain actual meter readings and will carry out a measured survey of the building to confirm total floor area. This will necessarily result in greater time being spent in producing the DEC, which will have an implication on the fees charged. The completed DEC and AR are lodged in a national register and given a unique certificate reference number, which is detailed on the DEC and can also be found on www.ndepcregister.com. The DEC will need to be displayed in a prominent and clearly visible place in all relevant buildings.
FAQ
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. How long does a DEC last?
A DEC is valid for 12 months.
5. Do I get anything else with my DEC?
Display Energy Certificates are produced alongside Advisory Reports (AR) which are valid for seven years.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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