DECC slammed for EPC rating
By Kate Martin, edienews, 20 January 2009
The Government department charged with making the UK more energy efficient has come under fire after its headquarters achieved the lowest possible efficiency rating.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) displayed at 3-8 Whitehall Place, home of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), shows the building's rating is G.
The Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) said it was just one example of "appallingly energy inefficient" public buildings which have come to light since October when all public buildings had to start displaying EPCs.
ACE has urged Government to practice what it preaches when it comes to energy efficiency and set an example in all its buildings.
Andrew Warren, director of ACE, said: "Overall, it is clear that the report card on our public buildings' energy management record is firmly in the 'must do much better' category.
"This is not just because we as taxpayers are losing out from such fuel profligacy - it is also because the message such laxness is sending out is still that Government is not serious about energy conservation."
The new Committee on Climate Change is currently based at the building, but is expected to move later this year.
Mr Warren added: "As the voice of our collective ecological conscience, it will need to make sure that is into an exemplar building."
A spokesman for DECC told edie that there are already plans in place to improve the building's rating, but the building's age causes some difficulties.
He added: "DECC's electricity supplier guarantees that the electricity supplied to 3-8 Whitehall Place is generated from renewable sources.
"We are also looking into methods of improving the building's energy efficiency, such as introducing additional motion and daylight sensors, upgrading downlighters and fluorescent tubes, and upgrading the fans system and boiler sequencing system.
"However, DECC's energy efficiency is limited by the fact that the department's building is a grade II listed heritage building, circa 1900.
"Its age and design makes it inherently difficult to match the energy efficiency standards of modern buildings."
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