Energy Performance DirectiveThis page informs you about ESTIF's work on the EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPD). If you know already what the EPD is, you may skip the introduction and go to
Introduction to the directiveOn 4 January 2003 the EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings went into force. In short, the Directive requires all EU Member States to - develop a calculation methodology for the energy performance of buildings (Art. 3)
- set and enforce minimum energy performance requirements for new built buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation (exemptions for several types of buildings) (Art. 4 to Art. 6)
- implement a system of energy performance certificates for buildings, which must be shown to buyers/tennants when buildings/appartments are constructed, sold or rented out (Art. 7)
- ensure the inspection of certain boilers and air-conditioning systems (Art. 8 and Art. 9)
The Directive proposes to let the decision about the concrete energy supply options and the energy efficiency of the various components of the building up to the builder/owner - as long as the overall minimum performance requirement is fullfilled.
The Energy Performance Directive (EPD) must be transposed into national legislation by the beginning of 2006 (Art. 15).
A short presentation on the (then proposed) Directive was published by the European Commission in 2001.
The Directive's Importance for Solar ThermalAlthough the EPD is not a Directive specifically on renewable energies, ESTIF sees potential positive effects also for solar thermal. The implementation of the EPD in the EU Member States can be used to improve the solar-friendlyness of building regulations throughout Europe. In particular ESTIF has worked on the following issues.
Calculation MethodologyThe builder/owner of a new building must show that it fulfills the national minimum performance requirements. To do this the energy performance is calculated along the methodology adopted by his country. The methodology must include e.g. the thermal characteristics of the building, the heating installation, hot water supply etc. And it must take into account the positive influence of e.g. district heating and active solar thermal systems.
The calculation methodology directly influences the weight of the different aspects taken into account. Measures with higher weight will probably be addressed more often by builders in order to fulfill the minimum performance requirements. A good representation of solar thermal in the methodology will make it an even more attractive option to improve the energy performance and to fullfill the requirments. This is why ESTIF has spent considerable time on the fair representation of solar thermal in such a calculation methodology.
As ESTIF cannot directly influence the implementation of the Directive in all 25 Member States, we focus on the efforts of the European Comittee for Standardization (CEN), which is working on proposing one such methodology as a future EN standard. Through its technical consultant, ESTIF is represented in a Working Group of CEN's Technical Committees 228 and 312, which is working on identifying a calculation specifically for solar thermal. Information on the work of this CEN working group are available online. ESTIF expects that this (Pre-)Standard will over the years become the most widely used calculation methodology in the EU Member States. Many countries will model their methdology after the coming EN standard.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The CEN Working Group has released an advanced draft of the calculation methodology for solar thermal
Minimum Energy Performance StandardsAlong with the calculation methodolgy for the energy performance of buildings, the minimum performance standards are the key element of the EPD. Only strict minimum requirements will lead to significant performance improvements and reduce the use of conventional energy in buildings, e.g. by actively using solar thermal energy.
On top of starting with an already tight minimum performance requirement ESTIF strongly recommends dynamic minimum requirements:
Our position:
ESTIF calls the EU Member States to implement dynamic minimum energy performance requirements, which are tightened every 1-2 years to maximise the positive impact of the Energy Performance Directive (cf. Art. 4 of the EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings ).
Explanation:
The Energy Performance Directive (EPD) requires all Member States to set minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings as well as for larger existing buildings when they undergo major renovation. According to Art. 4 of the EPD, these requirements must be reviewed and possibly updated at least every 5 years.
Going a step further and tightening the requirements every 1-2 years will have a strong positive impact on the development of the energy performance in buildings and thus improve Europe's security of energy supply.
The predictable dynamism of energy performance requirements will encourage the construction industry and their suppliers to develop more intelligent options to improve the energy performance of buildings, e.g. by optimising the mix of energy saving measures and technologies for the production of heat and electricity from renewable energy sources.
ESTIF strongly urges all EU Member States to implement dynamic energy performance requirements.
You can download the ESTIF Position on Dynamic Minimum Performance Requirements (PDF, 118 kB).
Energy Performance CertificatesThe certificates shall enable the buyer or tennant of a building or appartment to make a judgement about the energy performance of the building. It is expected that over time people will start looking not only at low prices or rents for a building but also for low running costs, of which energy consumption is a signifiant part. Hence, in the future it will be even more benefitial for a building owner to invest in improving the energy performance of buildings.
To improve the visibility of the use of renewable energies, ESTIF recommends to include in the certificates a special section on renewables.
Our position:
ESTIF calls for an explicit inclusion of the consumption of energy from renewable sources in the energy performance certificates (cf. Art. 7 of the EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings ).
The certificate should show the consumption of renewable energies (solar thermal, photovoltaic, biomass, geothermal) alongside the consumption of conventional energy (gas, oil, electricity, coal), i.e.:
Explanation:
In order to improve the security of energy supply and to reduce CO2-emissions renewable energies will play a major role in tomorrow's energy mix. Presently, the public is still largely unaware of the great potential of renewable energies for electricity production and for heating/cooling. Therefore, the European Commission as well as many national and regional governments have supported awareness raising campaigns for the use of renewable energy sources.
Incorporating the consumption of energy from renewable sources in the energy performance certificates is an essential tool for raising awareness of these clean technologies: High figures will show the capabilities of renewable energies, while zero consumption (the absence of renewable energy technologies) - in conjunction with a high consumption of conventional energy - will give an extra incentive to explore the use of renewables in the particular building.
ESTIF strongly urges all EU Member States to include explicitly the consumption of renewable energies in the requirements of the energy performance certificates.
You can download the ESTIF Position on Energy Performance Certificates (PDF, 160 kB).
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