FAQ
Display Energy Certificates (DEC) show the actual energy usage of a building, its Operational Rating, and offer information to the public in relation to the energy efficiency of a building. The certificate must always be displayed in a visible place.
Operational Rating means a numeric indicator of the amount of energy consumed during the occupation of the building over a period of 12 months.
The Display Energy Certificate differs from its domestic/commercial EPC counterpart in that the DEC incorporates an Asset Rating and Operational Rating, since December 2009 DECs have only been issued for public buildings.
Only buildings with a total useful floor area of 250m2 that are occupied, or part occupied, either by public authorities and institutions offering public services to large volumes of people are affected by this legislation.
Where a building is partly occupied by a public authority, or a relevant institution, the authority or institution handles displaying a DEC and having a valid Advisory Report.
Other private organisations occupying the building, irrespective of the size they occupy, do not need to display a DEC.
- Improve energy efficiency by implementing recommendations in the Advisory Report.
- Act as a mechanism for setting energy efficiency targets and allow clients to actively monitor energy consumption and encourage improvements.
- Provide an opportunity to publicly demonstrate good energy performance.
