Elmhurst takes up the fight on behalf of DEC Assessors

12 FEATURE

www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk

Josh Wakeling, Non-Domestic Support Team Leader

Only 7% of nondomestic buildings are over 1,000m² in England and Wales. However, these buildings account for approximately 50% of the total floor area, and it can be estimated that these buildings use over 53% of the total energy used in nondomestic buildings. Does this mean we should change our approach towards assessing the energy efficiency of larger buildings when trying to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions?

To fully understand the energy performance of any building, we at Elmhurst believe in the “Golden Triangle” of assessment; three key measurement techniques to allow for the best possible understanding of a buildings energy use. By having each of these three measurement tools, you can make the best possible choices when it comes to improving and retrofitting buildings with energy saving and low carbon improvement measures. These have been detailed further in our Manifesto for Growth.

Here is a summary:

1. Asset Assessment (SBEM &

DSM EPC) - This is a prediction based on standard assumptions and standardised running times to ensure consistency, comparison and benchmarking against other buildings. It is key for simplified building regulations assessments and allows for an assessment based on the activity and building type of the building to compare to similar buildings within the building type and activity.

2.Occupancy Assessment (TBC) - This is the prediction based on the assessed occupancy use of the building. The existing DEC methodology should be modernised and suitably improved to incorporate the needs mentioned throughout the consultation...

Basically, what is the building expected to use in terms of energy?

3.Metered Assessment (DEC) -

This is the actual metered energy use and carbon emissions for the building.

It allows comparison against other buildings and can change over time showing the impact of some improvements and changes in energy management. Its calculation is impacted by adverse weather and unprecedented changes in occupancy such as Covid 19.

Each of the above allow for an overall assessment or measurement of a building to ensure the best possible decisions are made. Only using one of the three can cause unintended consequences.

In October 2019, the government told the Climate Change Committee that it would consult on introducing a new scheme that would rate commercial and industrial buildings based on their actual metered energy consumption and carbon emissions.

On 17th March 2021 the Performance-Based Policy Framework in large Commercial &

Industrial Buildings in England and Wales consultation was published, with proposals to deliver on that commitment. It sought views on the Government’s proposal to introduce a national performance-based framework for assessing energy use and carbon emissions in commercial and industrial buildings above 1,000m² in England and Wales.

The deadline for responding to the Consultation was 9th June 2021. This is number 3 of our “Golden Triangle” which is currently covered by the Display Energy Certificate. We believe this consultation threatens the validity of DECs within the energy assessment industry. We have been clear within our consultation response that the DEC should be utilised and modernised to meet the proposed framework. Why reinvent the wheel when the industry is already qualified, experienced and quality assured in the discipline?

The Display Energy Certificate is a government approved methodology, present and established within England and Wales since 2008. The DEC produces an operational rating, based on key primary inputs such as: floor area, fuel consumption, location, and occupancy hours, along with an outdated benchmark system. The new performance based framework consists of these exact inputs to produce a rating, however the preferred output is a NABERS style star rating. However, both methodologies represent the same thing - an in-use energy assessment. So why has the DEC not been used to help develop the new framework? suitably improved to incorporate the needs mentioned throughout the consultation, in order to achieve the government’s carbon budgets and acknowledge the role of DEC Assessors through the new framework. We must establish that creating a brand new system would be a waste of resources and a missed opportunity when we already have a widely recognised workforce and methodology that produces the similar results using the similar inputs. Government also have a brand new Energy Performance of Buildings Register, which is where all DECs are centrally lodged and retrieved, so a complete end to end process already exists.

We urge the government to invest in their existing methodology that is regulated, quality assured and supported via established schemes, who compete on both quality of service and price, and delivered through the use of a skilled work force - DEC Assessors.

Elmhurst is insisting that:

infrastructure to remain inclusive and efficient n The DEC methodology is modernised and improved to meet the needs of the new framework with updated benchmarks n Create a smarter and more engaging output document n The ratings and relevant documentation are lodged to the EPBR Register n Use past DEC data from the

Register to assist the process of updating sector benchmarks n Use the income from lodging to the Register to reinvest in to the analysis of data, creating tools like league table’s n Reinforce a competitive market for all schemes, increasing opportunities for our energy assessor workforce

NOT restricted to just one administrator n Extend the remit of DEC

Assessors to undertake assessments on all nondomestic buildings NOT just public buildings.