Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and  public buildings currently account for nearly 25% of the UK's carbon
emissions, contributing to global climate change [10]. All non-dwelling EPCs
must be carried out by, or under the direct supervision of, a trained non-
domestic energy assessor, registered with an approved accreditation body.
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has arranged
for a publicly accessible central register of such assessors maintained by the
Landmark Information Group.
There are three levels of buildings: Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5. The com-
plexity and the services used by that building will determine which level it
falls under. They are as follows:
1. Level 3 = small buildings, with heating systems less than 100 kW
and cooling systems less than 12 kW
2. Level 4 = purpose built buildings, with heating systems greater than
100 kW and cooling systems greater than 12 kW
3. Level 5 = larger buildings that are complex in shape
A commercial energy assessor must be qualified to the level of the build-
ing to carry out the inception.
Beginning in October 2008, all buildings including factories, offices, retail
premises and public sector buildings must have an EPC whenever the build-
ing is sold, built or rented. Public buildings in England and Wales (but not
Scotland) also require a display energy certificate showing actual energy use
and not just the theoretical energy rating. Beginning in January 2009, inspec-
tions for air-conditioning systems were introduced.
6.3.2.4 Display Energy Certificates
Display energy certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a build-
ing and 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. The DEC should be clearly
displayed at all times and be 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 are only required for build-
ings with a total useful floor area of more than 1000 m 2 that are occupied by
a public authority and institution providing a public service to a large num-
ber of persons and therefore visited by those persons. They  are valid for
one year. The accompanying advisory report is valid for seven years.
However, to make it easier for public authorities with multiple buildings
on one site to comply with the legislation, a site-based approach for the first
year (to October 2009) is allowed where it is not possible to produce indi-
vidual DECs. This means that only one DEC will need to be produced based
on the total energy consumption of the buildings on the site. Public bodies
most affected by this relaxation are NHS Trusts, universities and schools.
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