Display Energy Certificate

A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) shows the energy performance of a building, based on the operational rating, on a graphical scale from A (very efficient) to G (least efficient). A DEC must be accompanied by an advisory report which outlines how the organisations can reduce their energy consumption.

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 (e.g., council, leisure centre, college, NHS trust etc) it has a total floor area of over 250 square metres. A building that is frequently visited by the public.
Please note public buildings in Scotland must have an Energy Performance Certificate instead of DEC.

DEC’s last for 1 year for the buildings with a totally useful floor area more than 1,000 square meters. They last for 10 years when the total useful floor area is over 250 square metre and up to 1,000 square metres.

DEC’s were introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings and to inform visitors about a building’s energy usage. The penalty for failure to display a DEC is £500 and a further £1000 for failure to obtain an advisory report.