Display Energy Certificate

Display Energy Certificate (DEC)

What does a DEC tell you?

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are designed to show the energy performance of public buildings. They use a scale that runs from ‘A’ to ‘G’ - ‘A’ being the most efficient and ‘G’ being the least.

Buildings that need a certificate

Public authorities must have a DEC for a building if all the following are true:
  • It’s at least partially occupied by a public authority (i.e. Council, Leisure Centre, colleges, NHS trust).
  • It has a total floor area of over 500 square metres.
  • It’s frequently visited by the public.
How long do DECs last?

DECs last for 1 year for buildings with a total useful floor area more than 500 square metres. They last for 10 years when the total useful floor area is over 500 square metres and up to 1,000 square metres.

Private organisations 

Private organisations don’t need a DEC but can choose to get one if they want to. They may still need an Energy Performance Certificate if the building is sold or rented.

Where to find the certificate

Public authorities must display their DEC in a prominent place clearly visible to the public, i.e. near the building’s entrance. They can be fined £500 if they don’t. Contact the occupier of the building if you can’t find the DEC.

The DEC will also provide an Asset Rating & an Operational Rating. The Advisory Report will contain recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building and its energy usage. The Advisory Report which includes recommendations for improvements is valid for 7 years.

 Currently, it is not mandatory to comply with the recommendations made in the advisory report.



Asset Rating - means a numerical indicator of the amount of energy estimated to meet the different needs associated with a standardised use of a building, calculated according to the methodology approved by the Secretary of State.


Operational Rating - means a numeric indicator of the amount of energy consumed during the occupation of the building over a period of 12 months unless: Where on 4th January 2009: the occupier of a building has been in occupation for less than 15 months or, entered into occupation of the building before 6th April 2008; or entered into occupation on or after that date but did not have an energy performance certificate made available or given to it. In these cases the operational rating specified may be calculated over the period in which the occupier has been in occupation. 
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