A Nottingham school has come top of the class, achieving an ‘A’ grade rating on its Display Energy Certificate (DEC).
The certificate rates how efficiently the building is being used in practice and is an important measure of how energy efficient the occupants are.
The rating is particularly impressive as the typical rating for a building such as this is between a ‘D’ and an ‘E’. The DEC assessment on the West Bridgford School: Pool and Theatre block was carried out by CIBSE accredited Low Carbon Energy Assessor Judy Ong of Ecotag.
Judy explained: “What is unique is that in 2005 the school converted their old coal-fired boilers to run on 100% renewable biomass as part of Nottinghamshire County Council's Woodheat initiative.
The whole of the Pool and Theatre block, including the water for the swimming pool, hot water for showers and several other smaller buildings are heated solely by these biomass boilers.
Since conversion from coal to biomass over 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions have been saved. I am very pleased that this is recognised in the building's energy certificate and it shows the importance of renewable sources for improving energy ratings.”
Carol Sheffield, Business Manager for the school, said: “The West Bridgford School was delighted to hear we had achieved an “A” rating energy certificate for the Pool and Theatre areas. The Student Council is currently focussing on the environment and ways to conserve/reduce energy costs and is arranging a “green week” in the Autumn term in the hope that we may achieve ultimately achieve Eco School status.
We will be proud to display our certificate and would like to thank all those involved who have helped the school to achieve this.”
CIBSE Chief Executive Stephen Matthews added: “DECs make visible the importance of first rate design and prove that excellence in building operation can make a huge impact on energy costs and carbon emissions.
We are delighted that our Low Carbon Energy Assessors are helping to highlight the success stories as well as ensuring that buildings such as these meet the legislative requirements.”
Display Energy Certificates are required for buildings occupied or part occupied either by a public authority or an institution, that provide a public service, and expect to be visited by the public to a large number of persons and who are therefore frequently visited by those persons, and with a total useful floor area greater than 1000m2.
CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors are trained and accredited to produce Display Energy Certificates and Energy Performance Certificates. For further information on becoming an assessor or to find an accredited assessor, please visit www.cibsecertification.co.uk
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