introduction
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are required for buildings with a total useful floor area over 1,000 m2 that are occupied by a public authority or institution providing a public service and visited by the public. An Advisory Report (AR) is also required, which lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building.
South Gloucestershire Council is a 4-star rated local authority which includes the towns of Kingswood, Yate and Thornbury. The Council approached Sustain to help them provide DECs and ARs for more than 100 buildings under their authority, including Schools, Activity Centres and Council Offices.
challenge
It was agreed that the works would be completed between August and October 2009, a significant logistical challenge given the number of buildings to be surveyed and the fact that many of the Schools were closed for Summer Holidays. Each site had to be visited and the condition of the building assessed (including levels of insulation, glazing, renewable energy etc). Energy consumption for the previous 12 month period also had to be obtained. Metering arrangements at each site were often complex, with new extensions having separate energy meters or one site meter serving several different buildings.
solution
We used four qualified and accredited DEC assessors and dedicated data processing staff in order to survey the buildings within the given time frame. Regular contact with the client and site contacts was necessary to collect and analyse the data and produce accurate DEC ratings and Advisory Reports.
outcome
Hard work from all parties ensured that the project was completed on time and to the client's satisfaction. Over 100 DECs and ARs were delivered within the short time frame to provide South Gloucestershire Council with meaningful data on the energy efficiency of their buildings and help them target the worst performing buildings with new energy savings measures.
"Sustain were able to provide us with valuable support to ensure that the Council quickly and effectively discharged its legal obligations regarding energy certification across all of its obligated sites. We are looking forward to being able to work with Sustain again in the near future to identify and deliver further carbon savings across our portfolio"
Sean Prior, South Gloucestershire Council
