The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is intended to improve building energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions as part of the government’s strategy to promote sustainability and meet stringent International climate change targets.

Requirements for new and refurbished buildings to adhere to higher standards of energy performance have been incorporated into the revised Building Regulations (Part L). In addition, Energy Certificates and an accompanying ‘Advisory Report’ will be required for all buildings when constructed, sold or rented out.

Energy Certificates

There are two types of energy certificate required for new and existing buildings; Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Display Energy Certificates (DEC).

1.Energy Performance Certificates

By 1st October 2008, EPCs will be required on the construction, sale or rent of all non-dwellings. The certificate will include an energy asset rating and sector benchmark, and will be accompanied by an Advisory Report outlining how performance can be improved.

2.Display Energy Certificates

Also by 1st October 2008, all Public buildings over 1,000m2 occupied by public authorities or by institutions providing a public service will be required to display a DEC and obtain an Advisory Report. This includes council offices, schools, colleges, universities and hospitals. Buildings will be given an operational rating, indicating their energy performance based on actual energy consumption. By producing a certificate annually, performance improvement can be demonstrated.

How can CETL help?

Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports must be produced by accredited assessors, using approved calculation methods and software, analysing actual energy consumption for all fuels. Once approved methodologies are released, CETL will deliver both DECs and Advisory Reports.

Our smartMETERing technology will provide the actual data upon which DECs can be based. More importantly, data at a half-hourly level is vital in developing an understanding of how and where utilities are used in a building. Our Utilities Efficiency Management service will then evaluate this detailed consumption knowledge to help you develop a program of energy efficiency improvements thus improving your DEC performance rating.