Display Energy Certificates (DECs) provide a clear and concise way to assess the energy performance of public buildings, helping building owners, managers, and occupants to understand the building’s energy use and identify opportunities for improvement.
In this article, you will find everything you need to know about DECs, including what they are, why they matter, and how to obtain one.
ACI Reports has an experienced team of accredited Display Energy Certificate assessors, delivering reliable and trusted DECs and reporting to help clients achieve legal compliance and improve the energy efficiency of their public sector buildings.
What Are Display Energy Certificates?
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) assess the energy performance of public buildings by comparing their annual energy consumption to a benchmark for similar buildings. The results are presented on a scale from A to G, where A signifies the highest energy efficiency and G indicates substantial energy consumption, indicating the need for improvement.
In addition to the energy rating, the certificate includes a graph showing the building’s energy performance over the past 3 years and a recommendation report outlining further opportunities to reduce energy consumption. This information helps building owners and managers track progress, identify trends, and take the steps to enhance energy efficiency.
Why Display Energy Certificates Matter for Public Buildings
DECs are a legal requirement in the UK for buildings that meet the following criteria:
- Partially or fully occupied by a public authority (e.g., council, leisure centre, college, or NHS trust)
- Have a total floor area exceeding 250 square metres
- Frequently visited by the public
They also play a key role in reducing the environmental impact of public buildings by identifying areas where energy use can be minimised, such as installing energy-efficient lighting, optimising heating and cooling systems, and upgrading insulation. These improvements can also result in significant operational cost savings for building owners and managers.
Display Energy Certificates Explained: What You Need to Know
Who Is Responsible for Display Energy Certificates?
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are mandatory for public buildings in the UK that have a floor area exceeding 250 square metres and are frequently visited by the public. This includes a variety of buildings, including schools, libraries, hospitals, and government offices.
The requirement for DECs is enforced by your local authority, aiming to ensure that all public buildings are transparent about their energy usage and are implementing the appropriate measures for improving energy efficiency.
The responsibility for obtaining Display Energy Certificates lies with the owners or managers of public buildings that meet the above criteria. Private sector buildings do not need a DEC unless they meet these criteria and are leased to public sector organisations.
Who Can Issue Display Energy Certificates?
Under Display Energy Certificate guidance, only accredited Display Energy Certificate assessors can produce a DEC. They must be licensed under an accredited scheme, such as Sterling Accreditation Ltd, Elmhurst Energy Systems Ltd, CIBSE Certification Ltd, Quidos Ltd, or ECMK.
To produce a DEC and recommendation report, the assessor will:
- Gather data from meter readings for all fuels used over the past year
- Review the energy consumption data using the government-approved method
- Consider factors like occupancy, unique energy use cases, weather & climate
- Measure CO2 emissions based on the operational floor area & building type
- Evaluate measures for heating, cooling, insulation & lighting within the building
- Assess on-site energy generation, including renewables or carbon-neutral methods
Accreditation schemes are established to ensure the quality of the assessor’s work. If you encounter any issues with your inspection, you can contact the energy assessor’s accreditation scheme, which is listed on your report.
Understanding the Display Energy Certificate Register
Following a DEC assessment, the valid report must be submitted to the national Display Energy Certificate register, a public database maintained by the UK government. This database allows facilities managers, auditors, and the general public to verify the energy ratings and compliance of public buildings whenever necessary.
The final certificate should also be displayed within the building to inform visitors about its energy use. Building owners and managers are responsible for ensuring the DEC is visible at all times, fostering a culture of energy awareness and accountability, and contributing to national energy conservation goals.
Staying Compliant with Display Energy Certificates Regulations
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are valid for 1 year if the building has a total operational floor area of more than 1,000 square metres. For buildings with a total operational floor area of 250 square metres to 1,000 square metres, the DEC will be valid for 10 years.
Failure to display a valid DEC in a publicly visible location, such as near your building’s entrance or reception area, can result in a penalty charge of £500. If your building does not have a valid DEC at all, the penalty may increase to £1,000.
Regular assessments are vital for maintaining an up-to-date DEC. Keeping your DEC current not only ensures compliance with regulations but also provides a continuous record of your building's energy performance, helping you identify trends and areas for improvement.
How to Find a DEC Assessor & Obtain a DEC
The first step to obtaining a DEC is to find a DEC assessor and arrange an assessment. This person must be accredited by a government-approved scheme. You can find registered Display Energy Certificate assessors and details on how to contact them on the Government website.
You will then need to supply all relevant energy consumption data for your building over the past 12 months. This includes electricity, gas, and any other fuel types used. The assessor will then analyse the data and determine your building’s energy rating.
After the assessment, the assessor will generate the DEC and the accompanying advisory report. This will include recommendations for enhancing energy efficiency and any other relevant information. Finally, you must ensure the certificate is displayed to the public.
Contact ACI Reports for Reliable Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
ACI Reports is a registered member of the government-approved Sterling Accreditation scheme and has an experienced team of assessors ready to carry out accurate and legally valid DECs, EPCs, and air conditioning inspections.
If your DEC is out of date, we can pick up from where the expiry left off, but only if we are instructed within 3 months. Provided we get the new report in place quickly, you are unlikely to receive a penalty.
View our Display Energy Certificates page or get in touch for more information about our services and how we can support you.