By 30th December 2008 all properties - homes and commercial - when sold, built or rented will need an energy
performance certificate (EPC). Public buildings will also need to display a display energy performance
certificate (DEC).
For non domestic properties it is the responsibility of Sellers and Prospective Landlords to make the EPC
available to prospective purchasers and tenants respectively.
Multi- tenanted buildings are subject to certification according to rules depending on the configuration of
the heating and conditioning systems. Generally in cases where there is a common heating system they can
either be assessed as a whole, or independently, whereas buildings with units having independent heating
systems in each unit will have to be provided with separate EPC's.
The process of commissioning an EPC requires identification of an accredited assessor of an appropriate
accreditation level as follows:
Level 3 - Simple existing non-dwellings which are suited to analysis with steady state modelling software
Level 4 - New and existing non-dwellings with more complex building services which are suited to analysis with steady state modelling software
Level 5 - New and existing non-dwellings which can only be analysed using dynamic thermal modelling software. Typically these are buildings with mixed mode or passively conditioned spaces
We guide our clients on the application of the regulations to their buildings, and will confirm the
appropriate assessor accreditation level.
(More detail coming soon).
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a building (the Operational Rating) and help
the public 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 should be displayed at all times in a prominent place
clearly visible to the public. A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective
measures to improve the energy rating of the building.
Display Energy Certificates are only required for buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 1,000
m2, that are occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of
people, and are frequently visited by members of the public. DECs are valid for one year. The accompanying
Advisory Report is valid for 7 years.
The requirement to obtain and display a DEC will come into effect on 30th December 2008.
Where a building is partly occupied by a public authority or a relevant institution, the authority or
institution is responsible for 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.
Although multiple small buildings on a campus where each building is less than 1,000 m2 are excluded, if these
buildings are linked to one another by a heated space or are served by the same heating or cooling system then
a DEC is required. The energy consumption for each separate building or each group of linked buildings with
total useful floor area exceeding 1,000 m2, will then be derived by proportioning on the basis of floor area.
Guide to DECs
To download a comprehensive guide to DECs and advisory reports for public buildings please see
decs_guide.pdf
(More detail coming soon).
The efficiency of a boiler has a significant impact on the overall energy
efficiency of a building. Over 50% of the total energy consumption and CO2
emissions for buildings come from heating and hot water use. Providing advice
to home owners and businesses about the current efficiency of their heating and
hot water systems is a vital step in increasing awareness of how the energy costs
and CO2 emissions from heating and hot water costs can be reduced.
The Department, together with industry, are encouraging heating and boiler
installers to provide basic energy advice to users of heating and hot water
systems about the energy efficiency of their systems.The advice given is in
the form of a simple checklist and recommendations that can be included in
a service visit and now forms part of industry recommended good practice
guidelines.
