A DEC assessment service with a difference
All public buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 250m² are obligated to have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) and advisory report. DECs are required to inform how energy efficient a public building is and can be a route to ESOS compliance as an alternative to energy audits.
It states an energy rating from A-G and is based on the performance potential of the building (fabrics) and its services (heating, ventilation, lighting). The DEC comes with a recommendation report demonstrating how the energy performance can be enhanced.
Public Display Energy Certificates can only be produced by an accredited Energy Assessor and should be displayed no smaller than A3 in a prominent place clearly visible to members of the public. Fines can be issued for failing to display a DEC and failing to have a valid advisory report.
DECs and Advisory Reports Validity Periods:
| Building Size |
Display Energy Certificates |
Advisory Reports |
| Over 1,000m² |
Must be renewed every 1 year |
Must be renewed every 7 years |
| 250 to 999m² |
Must be renewed every 10 years |
Must be renewed every 10 years |
How Business Energies can help
Business Energies has a dedicated team across the UK able to carry out the assessment of DECs on your behalf. We provide a comprehensive service that focuses on bringing true value for our clients, in providing legal compliance and offering support to aid and improve energy efficiency. We will also discuss DEC results, provide explanations of any changes and detail recommendations in our Advisory Reports.
Whilst all DEC services follow the statutory guidelines we always strive to cover the costs of our service by providing realistic energy reduction opportunities (the aim of the EPBD). We do not just tick the generic list; we seek to offer specific and useful recommendations that apply to the relevant site, helping us to deliver informative and pertinent Advisory Reports.
Business Energies is able to utilise a large, experienced, team of 8x DEC accredited Energy Assessors to deliver a complete DEC service from the initial site visit, validation of Business Energies invoices, DEC lodgement to DEC delivery.
We keep our DEC clients up to date with the relevant legislation and also actively manage their renewals by providing reminders each year or as required.
Our DEC service process:
| Steps |
New Display Energy Certificate and Advisory Report |
| 1 |
Site visit. |
| 2 |
Process/validate the 12 months Business Energies invoices that have been supplied by the client. |
| 3 |
Input data into government approved ‘ORCalc software’ to generate a compliant DEC. |
| 4 |
Production of Advisory Report. |
| 5 |
Lodge the DEC & AR via our accreditation body to the official government database (the Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Register), operated by Landmark. |
| 6 |
Deliver the DEC & AR in agreed format to the client. |
DECs can:
- Improve energy efficiency by implementing recommendations in the Advisory Report. We aim to exceed minimum requirements and offer useful recommendations from the Advisory Report that apply to the relevant site.
- Act as a mechanism for setting energy efficiency targets and allow clients to actively monitor energy consumption and encourage improvements.
- Provide an opportunity to publicly demonstrate good energy performance.
- May also act as independent evidence to aid funding support for poorer securing DECs.
Why choose Business Energies?
Business Energies has a team of professionals who are able to offer you full assistance with this service. To date, we have produced over 5,250 DECs and currently manage DEC renewals for a Portfolio of over 640 sites.
Our expert team will:
- Provide you with essential guidance and support to make life simpler for you
- Ease the burden associated with acquiring a DEC, so you have more time to concentrate on your business
- Provide you with peace of mind and reassurance that your compliance is in safe hands
- Inform you on any legislative changes that may affect your organisation
- Help you to become more energy efficient which can lower consumption, reduce emissions and save you money.
Other certificates:
Energy Performance Certificates – Similar to a Display Energy Certificate, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a requirement for all domestic and commercial buildings to have an EPC as part of the Energy Performance of Building Regulations (EPBR).
