Example of a DEC:Display Energy Certificates for Public Buildings
From 1 October 2008 buildings occupied or part occupied by a public authority or institution are required to display a Display Energy Certificate under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. This regulation applies to buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000m2 occupied by public authorities and by institutions providing public services to a large number of persons and therefore frequently visited by those persons.
What are Display Energy Certificates?
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are used to show the amount of energy consumed during the occupation of the building over a period of 12 months. The DEC must be displayed in a prominent place, which is clearly visible to the public. The DEC must be updated annually.
Public authorities include central and local government, schools, Halls of Residence, courts and prisons. Institutions include organisations that provide services paid for by the taxpayer such as a Local Authority care home.
Key documents a DEC must contain:
A DEC contains three main charts – the operational rating, carbon dioxide emissions and previous operational ratings from the last three years.
Example of a DEC:
Operational Rating
The operational rating is a measurement of the energy efficiency of the building (relating to running costs) and the environmental Impact Rating (relating to the carbon dioxide emissions) of the building. Each rating is shown on a scale from A-G. ‘A’ is the most efficient and ‘G’ is the least efficient, similar to those used for fridges and other electrical appliances.
The DEC should include the following information:
· The DEC reference number
· The address of the building
· An estimate of the useful floor space of the building
· Name and contact address of the issuing energy assessor
· Dec issuing date
· The nominated date, and
· The name of the approved accreditation scheme of which the energy assessor is a member.
Advisory report
An advisory report is always produced alongside the DEC and must be kept by the building manager or responsible person. The report includes recommendations on what the organisation can do to improve the building’s energy efficiency and is valid for 7 years. There is no statutory requirement to carry out any of the recommended energy efficiency measures stated in the report. DECs and advisory reports are entered on to a register, which is maintained by the Secretary of State. The documents will be held on the register for a period of at least twenty years.
The report also includes figures for actual energy use taken from the building’s meter readings, and carbon dioxide emissions measured in tonnes per year.
Enforcement
These regulations are enforced by the local trading standards service.
Organisations can be fined £500 for not having a DEC on display in a prominent place that is clearly visible to the public. A fine of up to £1,000 can be given for not having a valid advisory report.
All Brent Council buildings are fully compliant with these regulations.
Where can I find out further information on Display Energy Certificates?
· www.opsi.gov.uk (Statutory Instrument 2007 No.991)