REQUEST A QUOTE
Public buildings · England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Display Energy Certificates
Display Energy Certificates show a public building's actual energy performance, based on the energy it has used. If you are responsible for a public building, Vital can establish whether you need one and produce it.
Status
Law
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, England and Wales
Required when
Over 250m²
Public authority occupied, frequently visited by the public
Valid for
12 months
Over 1,000m². Ten years between 250m² and 1,000m²
Penalty
£500 + £1,000
For not displaying a DEC, and for not having an advisory report
The Law
DEC requirements differ across the UK. Scotland uses an EPC display requirement instead of a DEC. See "Scotland and Northern Ireland" below.
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are required for certain public buildings and show the building's actual operational energy performance, based on its recorded energy consumption.
In England and Wales, a DEC is required where a building is over 250m² total useful floor area, is occupied in whole or in part by a public authority, and is frequently visited by members of the public.
The requirement applies to the building, or a separately used part of a building, where energy is used to condition the indoor environment, for example through heating, mechanical ventilation or air conditioning.
The Government is currently consulting on changes to DEC validity periods. A further government response is expected during 2026. The proposed changes are not yet law.
Which buildings need a DEC?
Typical buildings that may require a DEC include:
- Council and local authority buildings
- NHS buildings and healthcare facilities
- Schools, colleges and universities
- Libraries and museums
- Leisure centres
- Courts and police stations
- Public service offices
- Other public buildings regularly visited by members of the public
The duty sits with the occupying public authority, not the building owner. Private organisations do not generally have to display a DEC, even where they occupy part of a building alongside a public authority, although a DEC can be obtained voluntarily.
How long is a DEC valid?
In England and Wales:
- Over 1,000m²: the DEC is valid for 12 months and the accompanying Advisory Report for 7 years.
- Over 250m² up to 1,000m²: the DEC and Advisory Report are currently valid for 10 years.
The Government is consulting on changes to these validity periods, but the proposed changes are not yet law.
Display and penalties
A valid DEC must be displayed prominently where it can be clearly seen by members of the public.
Failure to display a required DEC can result in a £500 penalty.
Failure to have a valid Advisory Report can result in a further £1,000 penalty.
What does a DEC show?
Unlike an EPC, which assesses a building’s energy performance based largely on its physical characteristics and fixed services, a DEC is based on actual energy consumption.
It gives the building an operational energy rating from A to G, with A representing the best performance and G the poorest. For larger buildings, previous DEC ratings are also shown, so energy performance can be tracked from year to year.
An accompanying Advisory Report identifies measures that could improve the building’s energy performance.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland. Public buildings that meet the relevant criteria must display an EPC rather than a DEC to satisfy the Scottish display requirements. A DEC may be produced separately under the Scottish non-domestic energy performance regulations, but it does not replace the required Scottish EPC.
Northern Ireland. DECs apply to qualifying public buildings and institutions providing public services. The building must be over 250m², occupied by a public authority or relevant institution and frequently visited by members of the public. DECs are based on actual energy consumption and are normally valid for one year, with the accompanying Advisory Report valid for seven years.
Not sure whether your building needs a DEC?
If you are responsible for a public building and are unsure whether a DEC is required, don’t guess. Vital provides DEC services nationwide across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We can establish which requirements apply to your building, arrange the appropriate assessment and make sure the certification is completed and lodged correctly.
To get started we will need the building's location, floor area, use, occupancy and the energy-consumption data you have available.
Talk to the Vital team
0345 111 7700
info@vitaldirect.co.uk
Tell us the building, who occupies it and roughly how big it is, and we will confirm whether a DEC is required.
Request a quote
Official sources
The other certificate
Energy Performance Certificates
A DEC measures how a building has actually been used. An EPC models how the building itself should perform. Most public buildings need both at some point, and they answer different questions.
If your building is being sold, let or newly built, an EPC is the certificate you need. Vital provides both nationwide.
A DEC shows the past year. An EPC shows the building.
About commercial EPCs
- EPC: required on construction, sale or letting
- EPC: modelled, valid for 10 years
- DEC: measured, renewed every year over 1,000m²
- Both: rated A to G
Common questions
Questions we hear most from estates teams and facilities managers in the public sector.
Does the DEC have to be on the wall?
Yes. A valid DEC must be displayed prominently where members of the public can clearly see it, usually at the main entrance.
How often do we need to renew a DEC?
For buildings over 1,000m², every 12 months, with the Advisory Report lasting seven years. For buildings between 250m² and 1,000m², the DEC and Advisory Report currently last ten years. These periods are under review by the Government.
We are a private company sharing a building with a council. Do we need a DEC?
Generally no. The duty falls on the public authority occupying the building. You can obtain a DEC voluntarily if it is useful for your own reporting.
We have buildings in Scotland. Is it the same?
No. Scotland requires qualifying public buildings to display an EPC rather than a DEC. We work across all four nations and will confirm what applies to each building in your portfolio.
What do you need from us to produce a DEC?
The building's location, floor area, use and occupancy, and at least 12 months of energy-consumption data (usually gas and electricity bills or meter readings). We will tell you exactly what to gather.
What is the difference between a DEC and an EPC?
A DEC is based on the energy the building actually used over the past year. An EPC is a modelled assessment of the building and its services. A DEC changes with how the building is run; an EPC changes only when the building does.
Measure. Model. Improve. Comply.
Think your building needs a DEC?
Vital provides DEC services nationwide across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.