ENERGY SAVING BLOG

A Display Energy Certificate shows the energy performance of a building based on actual energy consumption as recorded annually over periods up to the last three years. From 1 January 2009, all public buildings in the Republic of Ireland with a gross internal floor area greater than 1000m2 are required to display a Display Energy Certificate in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.

This requirement arises from the transposition into Irish legislation (S.I. 591 of 2008, made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government – see www.environ.ie ) of Article 7(3) of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (COM 2002/91/EC).  The requirement also aligns with the suite of obligations on public bodies to achieve progressive energy efficiency improvements under the terms of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, pursuant to the White Paper on Energy Policy and the EU Directive on End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services (COM 2006/32 EC).
SEI contacted public bodies from November 2007 onwards to alert them to the introduction of the requirement to display a DEC in a prominent public space within applicable buildings, with effect from 1 January 2009.

Under the national legislation, there is an obligation on public bodies to update each DEC on an annual basis.

Unlike the Building Energy Rating Certificate which is based on the construction elements and the renewability of the energy supply and does not take into consideration the actual energy usage a DEC is calculated on the basis of the gross internal area of the building and a record of the energy (fuel and electricity) used in the building during a recent twelve- month period.

A DEC can only be carried out by a DEC assessor registered by SEI  who has a degree in building related discipline (level 7 under the National Framework for Qualifications) and who attended a special course run by SEI.

QR EnerStar employs full-time Building Energy Assessors registered with SEI and able to carry out and issue Display Energy Certificates for public bodies.

For more information or to enquire about the prices of Display Energy Certificates, BER Certificates for houses and apartments and BER Certificates for Commercial/Industrial properties please contact our office on 01 6688 304 or by email.