Energy Performance Certificates

If you are selling, renting or constructing a property you are required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for that property.

This certificate tells you how energy efficient your property is and is based on the following:

• The construction of the property
• Insulation built into the property
• The heating system installed in the property
• The lighting system installed in the property.

The Energy Performance Certificate remains valid for 10 years, however you should renew the certificate if you carry out any major refurbishment or building works to the property which would alter its energy rating.

Letting and Estate Agents are required to include an Energy Performance Certificate with any information they use to market the property.

An Energy Performance Certificate is not required for the following properties:

• Places of Worship
• Temporary buildings
• Detached buildings less than 50m² with the exception of dwellings.

To get an Energy Performance Certificate you will have to employ the services of an Energy Assessor in your area at https://getting-new-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-an-assessor/type-of-property. The Energy Assessor will record the Energy Performance Certificate on the Northern Ireland register which you can access on www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. 

You can also call us on 0330 137 4003 for further advice.

Display Energy Certificates (DECs)

DECs are required for buildings that have an entire useful floor area of more than 250m² and that are occupied by a public authority or an institution that provides a public service, and are frequently visited by members of the public. These certificates show the actual energy usage of the building and allow the public to see how efficient the property is, and are based on the energy consumption of the building recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. 

The DEC is valid for one year, with the associated Advisory Report valid for seven years. The DEC should be displayed in a prominent location and always clearly visible to the public.  

To obtain a DEC you will have to employ the services of an Energy Assessor in your area at https://getting-new-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-an-assessor/type-of-property. The Energy Assessor will record the DEC on the Northern Ireland register which you can access on www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.

Air Conditioning Inspections

An air conditioning system with an effective rated output of 12kW must be regularly inspected by an Energy Assessor within five years of the initial installation or previous inspection.  The inspector must be a member of an accreditation scheme approved by the Department of Finance. 

If your air conditioning system was installed before 30 December 2008 and the inspection for energy efficiency has yet to be carried out, it must be inspected now under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008, as amended.

If your system was installed on or after 30 December 2008, it must be inspected within five years of its installation date.  The relevant person in the building must have in their control at all times a copy of the most recent air-conditioning inspection report.

To obtain an Air Conditioning Certificate you will have to employ the services of an Energy Assessor in your area at https://getting-new-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-an-assessor/type-of-property. The Energy Assessor will record the Air Conditioning Certificate on the Northern Ireland register which you can access on www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate.

You can also call us on 0330 137 4003 for further advice.

Contact Details

T: 0330 137 4003
E: buildingcontrol@nmandd.org