The UK-GBC says that Display Energy Certificates (DECs) should be mandatory through the Energy Bill and be rolled out in phases starting in 2012.

They recommend a system using an A to G rating for energy efficiency to drive efficiency, cuts costs and encourage refurbishment.

Landlords, the Council says, should be required to display certificates showing data of the energy efficiency they provide, which must be passed on to occupiers.

The certificates would have an ‘at-a-glance indicator’ and detailed technical information on the energy performance of the building.

As part of these proposals, DECs could be used to produce a range of publicly accessible league tables based on occupiers, landlords, sectors, building types and uses.

UK-GBC chief executive, Paul King, said: “If you want to go on a diet, you first find out how much you weigh. The property sector urgently needs to go on an energy diet but to do so, it has to be able to accurately measure and report on its energy use.

“Display Energy Certificates do exactly that and should be rolled out to all buildings as soon as practically possible.

“There is a window of opportunity to do this in the Energy Bill currently going through Parliament. A to G ratings for commercial buildings will provide a reputational driver for both landlords and tenants to take energy use more seriously, leading to carbon and financial savings.”

You can read further details of the report ‘Existing Non Domestic Buildings (DECs and CRC) here.

Alison Brown

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