Who needs a Display Energy Certificate?
Buildings accessed by the public, that receive funding from the public sector, with a floor area of 250 m2Â or above are likely to require a valid Display Energy Certificate (DEC) to be in place.
A DEC must be accompanied by a valid Recommendation Report which contains recommendations for improved energy efficiency and energy performance of the building. There are slight variances on the requirements depending on the size of the buildings, as detailed below.
Buildings Over 1000 m2
- The DEC is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
- The Recommendation Report is valid for seven years.
- The DEC and Recommendation Report are both valid for a ten-year period.
Our video guide introduces Display Energy Certificates and explains how they provide a visible measure of how efficiently a building is operating in practice. It highlights the role DECs play in improving transparency, raising awareness of energy performance, and supporting better day‑to‑day energy management by helping organisations understand how their buildings are performing over time.
Who Enforces the Compliance of Display Energy Certificates?
The compliance of Display Energy Certificates (DECs) is enforced by local authorities. They are responsible for ensuring that public buildings display their energy performance ratings prominently and that the information is up-to-date.
What are the Penalties for not Having a Display Energy Certificate?
To comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, valid Display Energy Certificates must be displayed in a prominent location, and the Recommendation Report be available to review upon request. Organisations failing to adhere face a fine of £1,500.
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How is a Display Energy Certificate Calculated?
A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is calculated by assessing the actual energy consumption of a building over a year. This assessment includes various fuel types, electricity, and district heating and cooling.
Our accredited assessors can provide you with an efficient and cost-effective service to produce DECs for all your applicable buildings. Our service includes the following:
- Assess your estate and confirm which buildings fall under the directive
- Work with you to collate all required information and data needed for assessment
- Provision of electronic copy of the DEC and Recommendation Report, upon request an A3 laminated copy of the DEC sent direct to site for display is also available
- Submission of all documents to the governments central register.
DECs show the energy performance of a building by using an A-G rating system and how the building is performing, compared to the previous two DECs issued.
Benefits of TEAM’s DEC service
Our team of CIBSE accredited low carbon energy consultants and Elmhurst accredited energy assessors can:
- Assist implementing energy saving projects that are highlighted in the Recommendation Report
- Provide bespoke advice around cutting energy costs and carbon emissions in your building
- Give you guidance to improve your future DEC ratings
TEAM customers include; Schools, Historic Buildings, Museums, NHS Trusts, Universities, Emergency Services and Local Authorities.
For a broader explanation of how Display Energy Certificates work, including legal requirements, validity periods and how ratings are calculated, see our Display Energy Certificates guide.
How Long Does a Display Energy Certificate Last?
- For buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000 square meters, a DEC remains valid for 12 months.
- When the total useful floor area falls between 250 square meters and 1,000 square meters, the DEC remains valid for a longer duration—10 years. Alongside the DEC, a Recommendation Report is also valid for the same period.
Do all Public Buildings need a Display Energy Certificate (DEC)?
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are mandatory for most public buildings that meet certain criteria like university and schools. These certificates are required for buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 250 square meters and are frequently visited by the public. However, there are some exceptions, such as places of worship, temporary buildings, and buildings scheduled for demolition.
DECs act as a guide to let members of the public and building users know how energy efficient a public building is. They also highlight cost-effective ways to achieve a better rating.Â
If you have ever wondered what information is available within a DEC this helpful guide will explain what each component means.Â
Meet our DEC Assessors
Our in-house, experienced, DEC assessors will ensure your DEC certificate is valid and accompanied by a Recommendation Report so you can improve the energy efficiency and performance of your building.Â
Get a Free Quote from our DEC assessors
Speak to an accredited energy assessor on 01908 690018