Energy Performance Certificate for Buildings = Fairy-tale Values?

With a poor energy efficiency class in the energy performance certificate, owners also face pressure to commission (expensive) energy-saving measures, which are often not economically viable.

The Plusminus broadcast from 26.07.2023 Energy renovation: Are the measures really worthwhile? provides a brief insight into the topic.

The changes regarding energy performance certificates as of 1.1.2024 are minor.
According to an energy consultant, transparency has hardly improved (he prefers not to be named).

Are further changes planned?

“A final agreement was reached on energy performance certificates. There will be no harmonization of national energy class systems.
Instead, there will be a common template for energy performance certificates.
These will still be valid for 10 years and range from A to G. Member states will have the option to introduce the A+ category.”
https://www.bfw-newsroom.de/das-steckt-in-der-einigung-zur-eu-gebaeuderichtlinie/ (24.10.2023)

“On October 12 there was a breakthrough in the trilogue negotiations on the EU Buildings Directive.
There will be no individual renovation obligations, but an average approach across the building stock of the member states.
Primary energy demand must be reduced by a percentage to be determined by 2030; the larger share of the savings should be achieved in the “Worst Performing Buildings”, i.e., houses with the poorest energy standards.” (24.10.2023)
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/immobilien/strengere-eu-regeln-fur-warmedammung-zwingt-brussel-hausbesitzer-zur-sanierung-10674118.html

Will a new EU energy performance certificate bring transparency in the future?
Wait and see. There will be more information on this in the coming months.

Please also take a look at our article Heat transition with infrared heating instead of electric heat pump?.