Display Energy Certificates

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Display Energy Certificates

A DEC is required for buildings with a total useful floor area over 250 square meters

Typically these are operated in whole or partly operated by public authorities or are frequently visited by the public.

An energy assessor who is accredited to produce Display Energy Certificates must be used to produce the DEC and advisory report

To produce the first DEC and advisory report, the energy assessor must visit the site. Any future DECs can be produced based on previous knowledge of the building.

DEC Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What is the purpose of a DEC?
  2. Where should a DEC certificate be displayed?
  3. How long are DEC certificates valid for?
  4. Who is responsible for a DEC certificate?
  5. Where can I find more information about DEC?
1. What is the purpose of a DEC?

The purpose of a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is to raise the public awareness of energy use in public buildings. A DEC displays the energy rating of the building and is based on the actual amount of metered energy used by the building in the last 12 months. The building is rated from A-G, with ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least efficient rating. An operational numerical rating is used to indicate the CO2 emissions.

2. Where should a DEC certificate be displayed?

Organisations affected must display the DEC in a prominent place that is clearly visible to the public. It must also have in its possession a valid advisory report containing recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building. The advisory report also contains payback periods of the recommendations and is listed as short, medium and long term paybacks.

3. How long are DEC certificates valid for?

DECs are valid for 12 months in buildings with a total useful floor area of more than 1000 square meters. The accompanying advisory report is valid for 7 years. Where buildings have a total useful floor area of 250 square meters and 1000 square meters, the DEC and advisory report are valid for 10 years.

4. Who is responsible for a DEC certificate?

It is the responsibility of every occupier of a building affected by the regulations to display the DEC and have possession of the advisory report.

5. Where can I find more information about Display Energy Certificates?

If you would like to learn more about improving the energy efficiency of your buildings and the DEC read this Guide to display energy certificates and advisory reports for public buildings