Frequently asked questions

Q1. What do the initials EPC and DEC stand for?
Q2. When will they be needed from in England and Wales?
Q3. Who will enforce them in England and Wales?
Q4. What’s all this about?
Q5. Who can carry EPC’s and DEC’s out?
Q6. How do I get trained?
Q7. How much can I expect to earn?
Q8. When can I start?
 

Q1. What do the initials EPC and DEC stand for?
A1. An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate. A DEC is a Display Energy Certificate. EPC’s relate to privately owned commercial properties, whilst DEC’s relate to publicly owned properties.

 

Q2. When will they be needed from in England and Wales?

A2. From 6th April 2008, EPC’s have been needed on all properties in private ownership that are over 10,000 M2 in size, when either sold or let for the first time after the effective date. From 1st July 2008, they have applied to all privately owned properties over 2,500 M2, finally extending to almost all privately owned properties from 1st October 2008. DEC’s are required for all local authority owned properties over 1000 M2 from 1st October 2008

 

Q3. Who will enforce them in England and Wales?
A3. At present, we are expecting trading standards to enforce them, with a power to levy a fine of £500 for non-compliance. This doesn’t sound much, but there’s no limit to the number of fines that can be levied, so potentially £500 per day which will add up!

 

Q4. What’s all this about?
A4.It’s the European Union’s preferred way of delivering the Kyoto Agreement, via its tool, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The EPC’s, and DEC’s will both have recommendations on them for improvement, i.e. install a more efficient boiler, but those recommendations will not be mandatory.

 

Q5. Who can carry EPC’s and DEC’s out?
A5. Appropriately qualified persons will be those that have taken, and passed an accredited course, being run by such bodies as BRE, Elmhurst and RICS, and who have subsequently been accepted by one of the Government approved ‘accreditation schemes’. No exceptions will be permitted at all.

 

Q6. How do I get trained?
A6. Lexicon Energy is working in ‘association’ with a number of the major training providers. Fill in the online contact form if you require training, and we will contact you. Training fees and other charges will be part of the package of information they will send to you.

 

Q7. How much can I expect to earn?
A7. Fees will be payable by Lexicon Energy on a per case basis. If you join the Lexicon Energy Panel, you will be asked to sign a ‘Service Level Agreement’ which will detail things such as turnaround times, fees payable etc. Again, if you are interested, fill in our on line form.

 

Q8. When can I start?
A8. Lexicon Energy is inviting applications from prospective assessors to join its panel now, whether a private individual, or a corporate application.

Lexicon Energy has been meeting potential customers for some time, and have been making high level information update presentations UK wide. If you think this would be useful to your organisation, just ask , and we shall appear on your doorstep too!

 

 

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