The International Network
for Sustainable Energy

Updated: 30.12.2008

Recasting of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2008
Read: here

Content: A Directive to Increase Energy Efficiency of Buildings in the EU (directive 2002/91/EC)

The main content of the Directive is:

• Application and regular updating of minimum standards for energy performance of buildings based on a common methodology for all new buildings and for existing buildings of more than 1000 square meters that are being renovated. The performance will include energy use for heating, ventilation, lighting, as well as the opportunity of heat recovery and local renewable energy supply used in cost-effective ways.
  
• Common methodology for the preparation of minimum integrated energy performance standards, which Member States will have to adopt for each type of building. This methodology will have to take into account differences in climate and include factors relating to insulation, heating, ventilation, lighting, building orientation, heat recovery, and use of renewable energy sources.
  
• Certification systems for new and existing buildings: energy performance certificates no more than ten years old, containing advice on how to improve energy performance, will have to be available for all buildings when built, sold or leased. These energy performance certificates, together with information on recommended and actual indoor temperatures, will also be displayed in public buildings and in other types of building frequented by the public.
  
• Specific checks and assessment of heating and cooling equipment by experts. Member States will have to make arrangements for regular inspection of boilers of a rated output between 20 and 100 kW. Boilers above this threshold must be inspected every two years (gas boilers every four years).

Read more about the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) on the EU Commission's web site.

Implementation
Member States had until the 4th of January 2006 to implement the Directive, except Bulgaria and Romania for whom the deadline was January 2007. However for certifications and inspections, Member States can have an additional period of three years if they miss qualified or accredited experts.
Many European countries have updated their energy performance regulations in order to improve energy efficiency of their buildings.
The EU Commission (DG TREN) formed a committee to oversee the implementation of the Directive, with representatives of EU countries and the trade association EuroAce. The committee had its first meeting in 2003.

Good Practice in Implementation
The implementation of the EPBD has pushed cost-effective strengthening of energy requirements for buildings in many countries, leading to better buildings and reduced energy consumption and pollution. Some examples of good practices are the implementation in Denmark (strong framework), Germany (renewable energy requirements), and Norway (strongest specific requirements for building elements), read more here (pdf) October 2008.

Read about national experience and good practice in the use of directive at this website and at EPBD Buildings Platform

INFORSE Recommendation for Implementation

Given that energy efficiency standards in national building codes have been one of the most efficiency and cost-effective way of raising energy efficiency in most EU countries, this Directive can be very important for future increase in energy efficiency. The effect of it is, however, crucial dependant on the implementation in national legislation. It is important that there is a national debate about the implementation with focus on how to maximize the benefits from the implementation, rather than a debate on how to have the least changes. In all countries current building codes have relatively low requirements for energy efficiency and renewable energy which leads to higher energy consumption than the cost-effective level. Because most houses are built according to the standards, the users are trapped with these unnecessary high costs. New, stronger building codes can correct this problem, to the benefit of users, the constructors and the environment. Thus, NGOs and relevant stakeholders should push the implementation of the new Directive in an ambitious direction, so it will contribute to this.

In the implementation, the countries should give priority to passive solar energy above what is proposed in the Directive. Passive solar energy use should be taken into account in planning, orientation and positioning of houses; as well as in use and heating control of houses. There is also a need for inclusion of passive solar concepts in education. The countries should also give priority to micro-CHP, i.e. building-integrated CHP.

It is proposed that the limit for renovation of buildings to require current energy efficiency standards is set to renovations that costs above 10% of the value of the building.

Read more on EuroACE and on the ENPER-EXIST project's website. EuroAce is the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings. ENPER-EXIST was a project which aims at supporting the take-off of the EPBD.

Development of Directive 2002/91/EC
On October 10, 2002 the EU Parliament supported the Commission's proposal with some amendments. Following this, the Commission adopted the final language agreed upon by the Parliament in October. This concluded a year and a half of debate between the Parliament and the Commission.
The EU countries agreed to the text and adopted it at the energy ministers' meeting November 25, 2002.

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