The headquarters of the Whitehall department responsible for tackling climate change has been given a poor assessment by a Government energy efficiency inspector, it emerged this month. The Department for Energy and Climate Change's office in Westminster was given the worst possible rating following a visit by an official assessor. The energy assessor's report also revealed that no renewable fuels were used to provide heat or electricity in the building.
All large buildings occupied or part occupied either by public authorities and by institutions providing public services are required to have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC). The assessor gives the building a score - with lower ratings indicating more efficient use of energy - and classes the property in a band from A to G. The headquarters were given a G rating and a score of 165, with the DEC indicating 100 would be typical for similar buildings.
The assessor Brendan Murray made a total of 13 recommendations for improving energy efficiency at the building, including fitting zone controls for heating and automatic monitoring systems for electrical appliances.
