Energy Performance Certificates (EPCS)
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is part of a series of
measures being introduced across Europe to reflect legislation
which will help cut buildings’ carbon emissions and tackle climate
change.
Energy Performance Certificates were introduced to help improve
the energy efficiency of buildings. If you are buying or selling a
home you now need a certificate by law.
From October 2008 all buildings, whenever they are built,
sold or rented out, will require one, although rental properties
will not need an EPC until starting the next new lease/tenancy. The
EPC provides ’A’ to ’G’ ratings for the building, with ’A’ being
the most energy efficient and ’G’ being the least, with the average
to date being ’D’. Click on the following link to view an
example EPC
If you are a homeowner, builder or designer,
you can find out more specific information on how EPCs may affect you
by going on the direct gov website.
If you are a landlord or a tenant or a home
owner/occupier, please download one of the guides below to
find out more on how the EPC affects you:
Display Energy Certificates (DEC)
The requirement for Display Energy
Certificates came into effect from 1 October 2008 as a result of
The European Energy Performance of Buildings directive which became
law in the UK in 2006
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are similar
to EPCs but are specifically for public sector buildings and show
the actual energy usage of a building, the Operational Rating, and
help the public see the energy efficiency of a building. This is
based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas,
electricity and other meters.
Display Energy Certificates are only required
for buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000m2, that are
occupied by a public authority or institution providing a public
service to a large number of persons and therefore visited by those
persons.
The DEC should be clearly displayed at all
times and clearly visible to the public. A DEC is always
accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective
measures to improve the energy rating of the building.
DECs must be produced by accredited energy
assessors who will also produce an associated report that may
recommend improvements to make a building more energy efficient.
DECs are only valid for one year however the accompanying Advisory
Report is valid for seven years.
If you are involved with the management of a
public building, you can find out more specific information on how
DECs may affect you on the
Communities and Government Website.
Contact
Climate Change Officer
Property, Leisure and Waste Management
White Cliffs Business Park
Dover
Kent CT16 3PJ
Tel: 01304 872218
E-mail: energy@dover.gov.uk
