Display Energy Certificates & Advisory Reports
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a public building (the Operational Rating) and allow the public to see the energy efficiency of a building. This is based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters.
The DEC has to be displayed at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.
DECs are required for buildings occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of people, and frequently visited by members of the public. Although GP surgeries do not count as "public authorities", they do count as "institutions providing public services".
Whilst DECs were initially required only for buildings with a total useful floor area of more than 1,000m², the threshold was reduced in 2013 to 500m² and in July 2015 to 250m². The following are the validity periods of DECs and their accompanying advisory reports:
| Floor area | Validity of DEC | Validity of Advisory Report |
| 1,000 m² and over | 1 year | 7 years |
| 501 to 1,000 m² | 10 years | 10 years |
| 250 to 500 m² | 10 years | 10 years |
It is the responsibility of the occupier of the building to obtain the DEC and advisory report. As regards multi-practice premises, DECs apply to the area occupied by each individual entity within the premises.
Where there is doubt over whether a DEC is needed, it is good practice to obtain one.
An energy assessor, accredited to produce DECs, is the only person who can produce a DEC and advisory report for your building. You can find your nearest registered energy assessor by going to https://www.ndepcregister.com/searchAssessor.html
Further guidance available at:
Guide to Display Energy Certificates and Advisory reports for Public Buildings (DCLG July 2015)
Focus on display energy certificates (GPC July 2015)
About this page
Updated on Wednesday, 23 October 2019
1340 views