Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

[edit] Introduction

The EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings was adopted in 2002. It was intended to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce carbon emissions and reduce the impact of climate change.

On 19 May 2010, the Council of the European Union and European Parliament adopted a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in order to strengthen the energy performance requirements of buildings. In addition it clarified and streamlined some of the provisions from the 2002 Directive it replaced. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive are the two main pieces of legislation aimed at reducing the energy consumption of buildings.

The principle underlying the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is to make the energy efficiency of buildings transparent by requiring an energy performance certificate showing the energy rating of buildings, accompanied by recommendations on how to improve its efficiency.

The main points of the directive are as follows:

• When buildings are advertised for sale or rent, energy performance certificates are to be included.
• Larger public buildings must display a Display Energy Certificate (DEC).
• Inspection schemes must be established for heating and air conditioning systems or measures put in place with equivalent effect.
• All new buildings must be nearly zero energy buildings by 31 December 2020 (public buildings by 31 December 2018).
• EU countries must set minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings, for buildings that undergo major renovations and for the replacement or retrofit of building elements (heating and cooling systems, roofs, walls, etc.).
• EU countries have to draw up lists of national financial measures to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

[edit] Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is the UK government department responsible for implementing the directive in England & Wales. Energy performance is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The requirements of the first directive were originally introduced in England and Wales by the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, implementation of which was completed on 1 October 2008.

The requirements of the recast directive were implemented by the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 which took effect on 9 January 2013. This consolidated and revoked all previous regulations.

The regulations require that:

• Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are produced for certain domestic dwellings and non-domestic premises.
• Display energy certificates (DECs) are produced for public buildings.
• Air conditioning inspections are carried out for systems above a certain size.

Various guidance documents have been produced to help ensure that the requirements of the regulations are met:

• Energy Performance Certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings.
• Energy Performance Certificates for the construction, sale and let of dwellings.
• Display Energy Certificates and advisory reports for public buildings.
• Air conditioning inspections for buildings.
• Local weights and measures authority guidance for the enforcement of the requirements of the Energy Performance Building Regulations 2012.

[edit] 2018 revisions

On 17 April 2018, the European Parliament gave approval to a revised Energy Performance of Buildings directive. This is intended to accelerate building renovation, delivering more energy efficient systems and strengthening the energy performance of new buildings, making them smarter.

The measures include:

• Creating a clear path towards a low and zero-emission building stock in the EU by 2050 underpinned by national roadmaps to decarbonise buildings.
• Encouraging the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and smart technologies to ensure buildings operate efficiently, for example by introducing automation and control systems.
• Supporting the rollout of the infrastructure for e-mobility in all buildings.
• Introducing a smart readiness indicator which will measure buildings' capacity to use new technologies and electronic systems to adapt to the needs of the consumer, optimise its operation and interact with the grid.
• Integrating and substantially strengthening long-term building renovation strategies.
• Mobilising public and private financing and investment.
• Combatting energy poverty and reducing household energy bills by renovating older buildings.

Following formal agreement, Member States will have to transpose the new elements of the Directive into national law within 20 months.

(Ref. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3374_en.htm)

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Air conditioning inspections.
• BPIE report urges EU to incorporate the carbon footprint of construction into policy.
• BS EN 15232 Energy performance of buildings: impact of building automation, controls and building management.
• Carbon emissions.
• CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
• Display energy certificate.
• Emission rates.
• Energy Act.
• Energy performance certificate.
• Energy related products regulations.
• Future Buildings Standard shortcomings raised.
• Green rating systems.
• Nearly zero-energy building.
• Non-domestic private rented property minimum standard.
• Performance gap.
• Private rented sector regulations and traditional buildings.
• Renovation Wave Strategy RWS.
• Simplified Building Energy Model.
• Zero carbon homes.
• Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

[edit] External references

• Display Energy Certificates and advisory reports for public buildings.
• Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007.
• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
• Energy Performance Certificates for the construction, sale and let of dwellings.
• Energy Performance Certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings.
• Local weights and measures authority guidance for the enforcement of the requirements of the Energy Performance Building Regulations 2012.