Display Energy Certificates (DEC's)

PUBLIC SECTOR

Who is affected by DEC's?

Public Authorities:

Central and Local Government

NHS Trusts

Schools and Higher Education Authorities

Police

Courts

Prisons

MOD

Army

Executive Agencies

Statutory Regulatory Bodies

Whether or not the public have restricted access

Examples of Affected Buildings

Schools (but not private schools)

Leisure Centres (but not private clubs)

Hospitals (but not private hospitals unless NHS patients are admitted)

Public golf clubhouses

Libraries

Museums and Art Galleries

When are DEC's Needed?

By 1 October 2008

NOTE: Please note that this is a deadline and not a start time.

What will you need to provide?

Actual energy consumption data for the past 12 months for all fuels including type of fuel used, data from meter readings and bills.

What do DEC's Contain?

The most important part of the DEC will be the Operational Rating or 'OR'. this will be a mark out of 150, with 0 being the most efficient and 150 and over being the least. This will then be translated into an A-G grading system similar to that seen on white goods. The DEC must be displayed in a prominent place clearly visible to members of the public in each building.

An Advisory Report (AR) will be supplied with the DEC and this will supply recommendations for improvement. Affected buildings should always be in possession of an Advisory Report.

Validity?

The DEC Operational Rating (OR) is valid for one year

The Advisory Report (AR) will only need to be renewed every 7 years.

NOTE: Therefore when the annual renewal of a DEC is due there will not be a re-issue of an AR. (unless the AR's 7 year period has come to an end)

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's)

PRIVATE SECTOR

What Buildings Need an EPC?

EPC's are only required for buildings when they are constructed, sold, let or modified.

When are EPC's Needed?

The implementation of EPC's through the building stock is staggered through the year as follows:

*NOTE - buildings already on the market only need an EPC when the contract is exchanged, or by 1 October, which ever is sooner.

Who is Responsible?

On Sale: the seller

On Construction: the person carrying out the             construction

On letting or re-let: Prospective Landlord

What do EPC's Contain?

The most important part of an EPC will be the Asset Rating or 'AR'. This will be a number allocated to a building which will reflect the intrinsic energy performance standard of your building relative to a benchmark. This AR will then be linked with an A-G energy rating for the building similar to that seen for white goods. The EPC will also contain a Recommendation Report which advises the owner on any improvements that can be made.

What Buildings are Exempt?

-  Places of worship

-  Temporary buildings with a planned time of use less  than two years

-  Stand alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50sqm

-  Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings of low energy demand

-  Buildings due to be demolished

Validity?

10 Years

MORE INFORMATION

More information can be found for both Display Energy Certificates (DEC's) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's) from the Communities and Local Government  website at: www.communities.gov.uk/epbd