Minimum Energy Performance Requirements (MEPRs)
Minimum Energy Performance Requirements (MEPRs) are at the core of the EU’s strategy to enhance building energy performance. MEPRs set the minimum energy efficiency standards for new and existing buildings undergoing major renovations. They are crucial for reducing the overall energy consumption of the building stock, thereby contributing to the EU’s energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets.
Goals and objectives
The primary goal of MEPRs is to ensure that buildings contribute to the EU’s climate and energy goals by being more energy-efficient and less carbon-intensive. The objectives associated with MEPRs include:
- Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the building sector.
- Encouraging the uptake of energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources in buildings.
- Improving the overall energy performance of the EU’s building stock.
- Supporting the health and well-being of building occupants by promoting better indoor environmental quality.
Methodologies or Approaches for Implementation
The implementation of MEPRs involves several key steps:
- Setting MEPRs: MEPRs are set at the national or regional level within the EU, considering the local climate, building traditions, and economic conditions. They must be set with the ambition to reduce energy consumption and promote energy efficiency progressively.
- Updating MEPRs: Member states must regularly review and update their MEPRs to reflect technological advancements and economic changes, ensuring that the requirements continue to drive improvements in energy performance.
- Enforcement: Effective enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for non-compliance, are essential to ensure that MEPRs are met. This includes checks on building plans and on-site inspections.
- Support and Incentives: To facilitate compliance with MEPRs, member states may offer financial incentives, technical support, and information campaigns to encourage stakeholders to meet or exceed these requirements.
Integration with EPBD Goals and Key Elements
Cost-optimal Level Calculations: MEPRs are informed by cost-optimal level calculations to ensure the requirements are economically viable. This relationship ensures that MEPRs are ambitious regarding energy performance while still being achievable and cost-effective for building owners and developers.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): EPCs play a critical role in the enforcement and promotion of MEPRs by clearly indicating a building’s energy performance relative to the requirements. They also serve as a tool for market transparency, encouraging owners to invest in energy efficiency improvements
Inspection of Heating and Air Conditioning Systems: Regular inspections support MEPRs by ensuring that a building’s technical systems operate efficiently, contributing to its overall energy performance as required by the MEPRs.
Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB): MEPRs pave the way for the NZEB standard by setting a progressive trajectory of energy performance requirements. As MEPRs become more stringent, they drive the market towards the NZEB standard, where buildings must have a very high energy performance, and the remaining energy demand is covered significantly by energy from renewable sources.
Long-Term Renovation Strategy: MEPRs are integral to long-term renovation strategies by setting the performance thresholds that existing buildings must achieve when undergoing major renovations. This ensures that the renovation efforts contribute to transforming the building stock into a more energy-efficient and decarbonised one.
Additional resources about the MEPRs
- Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in the residential sector: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4bc2ae0d-75ea-11ed-9887-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF/source-307640174
