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What is an energy certificate?

Energy certificates help people understand how energy-efficient a building is, in the same way that home appliances have an efficiency rating.

Buildings are inspected by a certified Energy Assessor and rated for energy efficiency on a scale between A and G, A being the most efficient and G the least.

Who needs an energy certificate?

If you own, lease or are looking to sell a commercial building, you’re legally required to display an energy certificate as evidence of its energy efficiency and emissions performance.

This certificate ensures transparency around the building’s energy efficiency for owners, prospective buyers, and tenants. There are two types of energy certificates, each covering different aspects of a building’s efficiency. While they differ in terms of the information they provide, both contribute to achieving similar goals.

Energy certificates help businesses reduce their carbon footprint. Once you understand how efficient your buildings are, you can start to make efficiency improvements based on the recommendations provided. This will lead to significantly reducing your carbon emissions and lower energy costs.

EPC/NDEPCs

An EPC/NDEPC is an Energy Performance Certificate. The ND stands for non-domestic and applies to buildings that fall under the non-domestic building classification, including supermarkets, hospitals, factories, and restaurants.

Certificates are required for all commercial (non-domestic) buildings that exceed 50m². They consist of two components – a graphic rating and a recommendations report.

The rating calculation is done by assessing the performance of the services within the building (such as heating, AC units, and lighting). It’s also known as an asset rating.

An EPC also includes a potential rating that could be achieved if the efficiency recommendations within the report are addressed. Once issued, an EPC is valid for 10 years.

DECs

A DEC is a Display Energy Certificate and has been a requirement for all public buildings since 2008. DECs focus on how much gas and electricity is consumed annually within the building.

A DEC rating is known as an ‘OR’, which stands for ‘operation rating.’ To require a certificate, buildings must:

Exceed an area of 250m².
Be occupied by public authorities.
Provide a public service to many people (meaning they’re frequently visited).

DECs for buildings of 250m²—1000m² are valid for 10 years, while those for buildings of 1000m² or more are valid for only one year.

One key feature of a DEC is that an advisory report (AR) outlining energy-saving opportunities will be produced along with the certificate. For buildings with a floor area of over 1000m², this AR is valid for seven years. For buildings of between 250m² and 1000m², the AR is valid for ten years along with the DEC itself.

TM44 air conditioning certification

TM44 is the UK standard for determining the effectiveness and efficiency of air conditioning units. The guidance is primarily intended to support inspections that are carried out in order to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), but is also useful to anyone looking to assess the energy efficiency of an air conditioning system.

TM44 air conditioning inspections are mandatory for all buildings with a cooling capacity of 12kW and above. If you control an air conditioning system that’s covered by this legislation, and/or your organisation operates an ISO14001-certified management system, then you’re responsible for ensuring that an inspection has been completed and that you have a copy of the inspection report. Our experts are fully accredited through CIBSE to complete TM44-compliant inspections and to issue the accompanying inspection reports, which need to be renewed every five years.

Trident maintains our entire telecommunications as well as managing the installation at new stores. The initial rationalisation of our portfolio has enabled us to cut over 20% of our landline bill and we’re now better placed to effect future cost-saving measures.”

Martin Goldstein - Head of Purchasing, River Island.

Trident maintains our entire telecommunications as well as managing the installation.”

See how we reviewed River Island’s telecoms portfolio, securing six years’ worth of overpayment refunds and substantial savings going forward.

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