Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs)

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs)

All new, rented or sold buildings, along with public authority buildings require an energy certificate, that shows the energy performance of the building, to be on display. This is an Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for new, rented or sold buildings that measures the energy efficiency of the building and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for public authority buildings that measures the actual energy usage of a building (except in Scotland where an EPC is required for public authority buildings).

What is an EPC, and why is it Important?

An EPC rates the building on its energy performance from ‘A’, very efficient to ‘G’, inefficient. It is an important document that provides guidance on what the cost and emission levels will be. EPCs are valid for 10 years, and are a legal requirement for all new, rented or sold buildings. The Minimum Energy efficiency Standards (MEES) legislation requires a rating of level E or better for domestic and commercial rented properties, this is confirmed by the EPC, and if the rating is below E then actions to take to improve the energy performance of the building can be implemented.

The Benefits of having an EPC

  • The certificate gives an indication of how costly the building will be to heat and light for anyone wanting to buy or rent it
  • The certificate provides information about a property’s energy use and how it can be improved
  • Recommendations are provided, along with costings for improvements, that will achieve a better energy rating

How can GEP Environmental help you?

Undertaking an EPC from an independent third-party gives validation to the certificate and ensures the calculations used for the energy ratings of the building are accurate. GEP Environmental will undertake a site visit to gather all pertinent information before using tailer made in-house systems to work out the buildings rating and grade. Thanks to the in-house system utilised a more detailed analysis is possible, allowing for greater interrogation of the data, thereby producing a comprehensive project register for the organisation.

GEP Environmental offer an Extended EPC service which meets the basic EPC requirements while combining an energy audit of the premises. The Extended EPC provides a report with detailed recommendations, including budget costings and an accurate assessment of expected savings both financially and in energy conservation measures.

With the above information you can get an Energy Performance Certificate for the building, while the recommendation reports advise future improvements and cost savings for the organisation.

Benefits of using GEP Environmental

  • Provide recommendations and opportunities for improving the energy performance
  • Highlight expected capital investment of recommendations
  • Know the expected savings of implemented recommendations
  • Have confidence that the energy conservation measures identified are accurate
  • Realistic and accurate potential project register can be produced
  • Know your property meets MEES requirements for renting
  • Meeting legal requirements

What is an DEC, and why is it Important?

A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is a requirement for any public authority building (in England or Wales) which is classed as a public building. This can include buildings such as offices, community centres, schools, hospitals, and leisure centres. A DEC is required if all the following apply:

  • It is at least partially occupied by a public authority
  • It has a total floor area of over 250m²
  • It is visited by the public on a regular basis

The DEC shows the operational rating of the building and must be updated either annually (if floor area is in excess of 1,000 m²) or every 10 years (if floor areas is above 250m² and below 1,000m²). The rating is scored from an ‘A’ for very efficient through to a ‘G’ for inefficient. The DEC must also be made clearly visible to members of the public who use the building.

The Benefits of having an DEC

  • The certificate gives an indication of how energy efficient each individual building is
  • The report will contain recommendations to improve the operational rating of the building
  • It is a legal requirement, and penalty charge notices can be issued by local authorities where no valid DEC is displayed and accompanying Advisory Report can be produced on request

How can GEP Environmental help you?

GEP Environmental can undertake a DEC for our clients, and as an independent third-party provide validation to the certificate and verify all calculations used for the energy ratings for the building are accurate.

With the Display Energy Certificate an Advisory Report will be produced, highlighting opportunities to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. The identified energy conservation methods will enable organisations to improve their operational performance and provide cost savings.

GEP Environmental offers an Extended DEC service which meets the basic DEC requirements while combining a detailed energy audit of the premises. The Extended DEC provides a report with detailed recommendations, including budget costings and an accurate assessment of expected savings both financially and from energy conservation measures. This approach ensures that clients ensure that maximum benefit is gained from undertaking the DEC as well as being a useful reference for informing future energy efficiency planning.

Benefits of using GEP Environmental

  • Provide recommendations and opportunities for improving the energy performance
  • Highlight expected capital investment of recommendations
  • Know the expected savings of implemented recommendations
  • Have confidence that the energy conservation measures identified are accurate
  • Realistic and accurate potential project register can be produced
  • Meeting legal requirements

Would you like to know more about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs)?

Simply click the button below and one of our Engineers will call you back

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Would you like to know more about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs)?

Simply click the button below and one of our Engineers will call you back

Request a call-back