Public Building Energy Assessor

What is a Public Building Energy Assessor?

A Public Building Energy Assessor (PBEA) issues Display Energy Certificates (DECs) on public buildings (buildings occupied or part-occupied by public authorities or by institutions or organisations providing public services).

Display Energy Certificates are based on real evidence and historical data on the actual energy performance of a building. DECs only apply to the largest public buildings at the moment.

This qualification is often a natural next step after qualifying as a Commercial Energy Assessor Level 4.

Why are they needed?

UK law requires a DEC to be produced for all public buildings over 1,000 sq m. This is a law that stems from the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

A PBEA will produce a DEC which will show:

  • The Operational Rating (OR), relating to the actual energy consumption of the building and its associated emissions
  • A measure of how well a building is being used in practice, compared to a benchmark standard

DECs must be displayed in a prominent position within the building and updated annually. An advisory report will also be required, but only once every seven years.

How is the training structured?

The training and assessment routes available to you depend on your current levels of skills and experience. The ‘core’ training and assessment package comprises:

  • Two days of classroom training
  • One day of practical training, where candidates will complete a DEC and advisory report (not included or necessary for Level 4 CEAs)
  • Assessments of three buildings (including 1 scenario provided by NES) and passing online Knowledge and Understanding tests
  • Taking and passing the ABBE exam for the Diploma in Display Energy Certificates.

Depending on your individual background, you may have to undertake other training modules first before you can train to be a Public Building Energy Assessor - for example, our HVAC level 4 module.

Our training and assessment team

Out training and assessment team deliver high-quality support for individuals wishing to produce Display Energy Certificates.

Read NES' training and assessment terms and conditions.