CIBSE calls on Government to promote energy certification

21 May 2008

The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) must spend more money on promoting the legislation supporting energy certification if the scheme is to be a success, warned industry representatives at a CIBSE Certification’s launch of its DEC Assessor training courses.

Both speakers and guests at the event, organised by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), expressed concerns over the lack of public awareness and warned that many people are still unaware of the legislation and therefore of the value of Display Energy Certificates (DECs). There is also a lack of awareness of the requirement to have air conditioning systems over 250 kW inspected by January 2009.

Responding to a question on the uptake of Energy Assessor training, Richard Hipkiss, Carbon Energy Assessor and Sales & Marketing Director of i-Prophets Energy Services, said: ”There is a large pool of people interested in being accredited. The issue is ensuring that building owners and the public in general understand the benefits of using assessors with the appropriate expertise who can deliver practical implementable recommendation to improve their building’s rating.”

Paul Martin, Chairman of ESTA’s Metering and Monitoring Group, further underlined the positive impact that DECs could have if fully implemented and agreed that CLG needs to focus more on raising awareness of the legislation.

CIBSE Chief Executive Stephen Matthews added: “The legislation is important and we want to ensure that this is supported by a call to action that is sensible, pragmatic and deliverable.”

CIBSE Certification’s DEC Assessor training courses, start in June in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leed. A full list can be found on the CIBSE website. Draft DECs were presented to participants of the ‘100 Days of Carbon Clean up Campaign’ including; Medway NHS, Marston’s Plc, Transport for London and the Maritime Coast Guard Agency.