Nottingham school awarded ‘A’ grade DEC

A Nottingham school has achieved an A grade rating on its Display Energy Certificate (DEC).

CIBSE accredited Low Carbon Energy Assessor Judy Ong of Ecotag carried out the assessment on West Bridgford School’s pool and theatre block.

The certificate rates how efficiently the building is being used in practice with typical rating for a building like this ranging from a D to an E.

Ong said: “What is unique is that in 2005 the school converted its 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 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.”

DECs 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.

Carol Sheffield, business manager for the school, said: “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.”