Existing assessment tools

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) have been introduced alongside EPCs. They came into force on 1 October 2008, from which date all buildings that are publicly accessible or that are occupied by public authorities in England and Wales, must display a DEC. A DEC gives the operational rating of a building, standardised so that one building can be easily compared to a building of a similar type. They are similar in style to EPCs, with a rating of A (the best) to G (the worst). Whereas an EPC measures the theoretical energy use of a building given its form of construction and plant and machinery, a DEC is based upon the actual energy used. It is measured using energy bills for a whole year using the useable floor area.

The definition of public buildings includes those that are regularly visited by members of the public; a public authority includes healthcare institutions, local and central government, educational establishments, prisons, courts.

Note: As UK DEC legislation is as the result of an EU Directive, their future use and the requirements will no doubt be reviewed as part of the wider fall-out from the UK’s vote to leave the EU.