Energy efficiency standards in EU
The Energy performance certificate (EPC) rating plays a crucial role in providing information on how energy-efficient a home is and how it could be improved. An EPC is an informative label that clearly presents the building’s energy performance rating, GHG emissions indicators, and other optional key characteristics, such as cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements, indoor air quality, and Global Warming Potential based on the building’s life-cycle carbon emissions[1], [2]. EPCs are widely used across Member States (MS) and play a central role in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).[3]
While mass adoption of EPCs has been achieved, the EPCs presents a challenge for the effective functioning of EPCs. It is hard to compare the impact of EPCs across different EU member states (MS). Major differences include mandatory implementation practices. While most MS use an EPC scale of A to G, some have introduced different energy efficiency classes, including subclasses like A+ and A++, with varying indicators to score each building. Despite minor differences across various EU countries, the approach to evaluating building energy efficiency is well-known and unified fundamental principles are followed throughout the entire continent.
The revised EPBD seeks to improve the quality, accessibility, and harmonization of EPCs, establishing a consistent A to G scale where the G class represents the 15% worst-performing buildings in each country, and the A rating corresponds to nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB). The remaining building stock is proportionally distributed across the other ratings. This harmonized system creates a clearer and simpler classification of buildings while retaining flexibility and adaptability to the national characteristics of the target building stock, ensuring transparency across all MS.
[1] Questions and Answers on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
[2] Certificates and inspections
[3] EPC Green Premium in Two Different European Climate Zones: A Comparative Study between Barcelona and Turin
