Management Information Sheet

From 9th July 2015, government has implemented another refresh of the Energy Performance of Buildings legislation. This has meant that the Display Energy Certificate guidelines now apply to buildings over 250m2 (reduced from 500m2 in 2013 and from 1000m2 in 2008). It is therefore a legal obligation for the occupier of these buildings to possess a valid Display Energy Certificate (DEC) and Advisory Report (AR).

These new DECs for buildings between 250 and 499m2 will be valid for 10 years and are required for all buildings on a site meeting the criteria, e.g. a school with three buildings between 250m2 and 499m2 will require three DECs and ARs. Please note that there has been no change in legislation for sites currently receiving DECs for buildings over 1,000m2 and annual DEC renewals will continue. It is also worthwhile noting that the original Advisory Reports produced in 2008 for buildings over 1000m2 will also be expiring within the next year.

Failure to comply with the legislation could result in a penalty charge notice of £500 for incorrectly displaying a DEC at all times, and £1,000 for failing to possess a valid advisory report for each building. In addition, it will still be necessary to commission the documents.

The aim of DECs is to increase public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors about the energy use of public buildings. They are based on the annual energy consumption of a building and provide a rating from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient. The AR contains recommendations for improved energy performance of the building.

NPS has already started to contact the schools affected by these statutory changes.