Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
Covering London, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Birmingham

The purpose of introducing Display Energy Certificates (DECs) is to raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to public buildings about the energy use of a building.

DECs 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.

Energy Performance Certificate
From Kent to Gloucester

An affected organisation must display a DEC in a prominent place clearly visible to the public and have in its possession or control a valid advisory report. The advisory report contains recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building.

The introduction of DECs will for the first time give publicly accessible information on the energy performance of public buildings. It is important not only that the public sector complies but that it is seen to be setting an example. Environmental performance is increasingly important to reputation. Accordingly if there is any doubt over whether a DEC is required, it would be good practice to produce a DEC in any event.

When Display Energy Certificates are required:

By 1 October 2008 if you are an occupier of a building requiring a Display Energy Certificate, you will need to display a DEC showing an Operational Rating in a prominent place clearly visible to the public. By 1 October 2008 you will also need to have in your possession or control a valid advisory report.