Archived decisions
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION ITEM 7
SELECT COMMITTEE
2 OCTOBER 2008
EU ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS DIRECTIVE
BRIEFING NOTE
1. The Energy Performance Directive is attempting to make transparent the energy performance of buildings. It will do so in two ways:
(i) The issue of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on the sale, rent or construction of a building. The EPC will show the energy rating of a building and is accompanied by an advisory report making recommendations on how to improve a building's energy efficiency. An EPC is valid for 10 years and together with its associated report has to be registered with the Secretary of State.
(ii) In respect of existing public buildings over 1,000 square metres, a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is required. A DEC will illustrate the energy performance of a building expressed as a rating from `A' best to `G' worst. The DEC has to be renewed and updated every year and be accompanied by an advisory report that lasts for seven years. The DEC and report also has to be registered with the Secretary of State.
2. Display Energy Certificates - Hampshire County Council's Built Estate
2.1 There are 586 buildings on 411 sites that will need a DEC. The majority of these buildings are schools. Other large buildings, including some offices, libraries and Adult Services Day Centres, will also require a DEC.
3. Timing and Implementation
3.1 The Government introduced relevant Regulations in the UK in March 2007, in response to the EU Energy Performance and Buildings Directive.
3.2 The Regulations require DECs to be in place from 1 October 2008. However, technical guidance on the implementation of these Certificates was only finalised in August 2008. The roll-out of DECs across all buildings that require them in the County Council's built estate may take up to six months to achieve.
3.3 The County Council has commenced surveying its buildings with inhouse staff, 12 of whom have been trained for the work including two senior engineers - one of whom is already registered to authorise the certificates, the other is awaiting registration having submitted all the necessary documentation. Property Services also have some framework consultants that are registered under the scheme but at present do not plan to use consultants for this work.
3.4 Approximately 150 DECs have been prepared in draft form and these are being subjected to a quality control procedure and review by Senior Property Services managers. It is expected that the first certificates will be issued in October 2008 with all County Council properties which require a DEC receiving one no later than the end of January 2009.
3.5 As well as the DEC, an Advisory Report must accompany the certificate giving details of measurers that would improve the energy performance of the building. Such measures will be a combination of better management of the heating, lighting and power systems. Suggestions for modifying the building fabric, such as increased insulation may also be included in the report. The DEC will be re-issued annually, but the advisory report is reviewed after seven years.
3.6 Each registration of a certificate will cost £50. At this stage it is not clear if this is per building or per site, so a total cost registration is estimated to be between £20,000 and £30,000 excluding technical and professional time.
4. How the Information Will Be Used
4.1 A DEC must be placed in a prominent position for each building. The DEC will, over time, show year-on-year energy performance and therefore the effectiveness of any measures taken to reduce energy consumption and lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
4.2 The Landlord's repair and maintenance programmes already take into account the need to make improvements to the mechanical and electrical systems and building fabric. In future when formulating capital repairs programme and the contents of the DEC Advisory Reports will be an additional point of reference. Management Partnership meeting with schools and other building users already have energy efficiency as part of the agenda. The Advisory Reports will help bring into sharper focus best practice in energy management for discussion with local managers.
4.3 Progress on the implementation of DECs will be reported to the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel and Executive Member for Policy and Resources.
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