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Harnessing Energy Performance Certificates for deep energy renovation: Recommendations from QualDeEPC
Technical Article
Harnessing Energy Performance Certificates for deep energy renovation: Recommendations from QualDeEPC
The project QualDeEPC developed an enhanced Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scheme by improving seven elements of the existing approach with the aim of providing clearer and more feasible renovation recommendations, and testing their applicability and convergence potential for EU-wide uptake.
Editorial Team
Authors
Stefan Thomas, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
Maike Venjakob, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
(Note: Opinions in the articles are of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union)
QualDeEPC developed an enhanced EPC scheme by improving seven elements of existing certification processes across the EU, and tested their applicability and potential for EU-wide convergence. These enhancements include renovation recommendations aligned with deep energy renovation, improved user-friendliness through a redesigned EPC template, mandatory regular training or examinations for EPC assessors, and four additional measures to support better implementation and compliance by Member States and market actors.
The tools for renovation recommendations and user-friendliness in the enhanced EPC scheme were tested for 98 pilot buildings from the seven partner countries. For all the pilot buildings, standard EPCs were prepared in line with existing practice, while enhanced EPCs were produced using the revised scheme. Three additional priorities – an online tool, deep renovation network platforms, and advertisement guidelines – were tested for their effectiveness through a questionnaire.
The results showed significant potential for improvement and convergence. In most countries, the number of recommendations and their ambition increased in the enhanced EPCs, which provided a clear list of options, and on average, the enhanced EPCs identified nearly 50% of the total energy savings potential. Based on the analysis, developed tools, and testing evidence, this article summarises the final policy recommendations of the QualDeEPC project to inform the implementation of the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and possible future revisions.
Compared to the renovation recommendations in most standard EPCs, which usually only meet minimum legal requirements, the recommendations in enhanced EPCs are designed to be consistent with, and to support progress towards, deep energy renovation. In all pilot buildings, the recommendations and their presentation in the enhanced EPCs were compared with those in the standard EPCs to identify any changes or improvements. Overall, the enhanced EPC includes several features related to renovation recommendations that are typically absent from standard EPCs. The feature of presenting energy ratings using a ‘traffic light system’—both for the current status of the building envelope and technologies, and for the renovation recommendations—is considered an improvement in most partner countries.
Enhanced EPCs show a significant increase in the average number of renovation recommendations compared to standard EPCs in Greece and Hungary, and a moderate increase in Germany, Spain and Sweden. In Bulgaria and Latvia, where the standard EPC is already based on a thorough energy audit, there is no change in the consistently high number of recommendations between the standard and enhanced EPCs (see Figure 1A). Compared to the recommendations in the standard EPCs, the enhanced EPCs indicate significantly greater energy savings potential in Greece and Spain, and only marginal additional potential in Bulgaria and Sweden. In Bulgaria, this outcome appears to result from the fact that the standard EPC is already based on a thorough energy audit and includes detailed information on the recommendations. In Germany, Hungary and Latvia, standard EPCs do not report potential energy savings, whereas the enhanced EPCs show relatively high savings potential—averaging between 40% and 50% (see Figure 1B). Overall, the average energy savings potential in the enhanced EPCs across all buildings exceeds that of the standard EPCs by 17.5%.
The following pages display the template form proposed by QualDeEPC. It may still serve as inspiration for Member States wishing to improve the effectiveness of EPCs in stimulating deep renovation, but it will need to be revised to include the mandatory indicators required in Annex V of the revised EPBD. This would enable the EPC to provide sound data as a basis for solid National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs).
This section presents specific policy recommendations on the seven development priorities identified by QualDeEPC. These have been slightly adapted, with comments added to reflect the final text of the recent EPBD revision.
Policy recommendation to EU Member States (adapted following EPBD revision)
Comments following the revised EPBD
A. Improving renovation recommendations in EPCs to support deep energy renovation
Specify the energy efficiency levels to be recommended for different types of actions, ensuring consistency with deep energy renovation leading to nearly zero-energy building/zero-emission building (NZEB/ZEB) standards for existing buildings, even when implemented step by step via a Renovation Passport.
Define NZEB/ZEB standards for existing buildings, if these definitions do not yet exist.
Include in the EPC all recommendations needed to achieve NZEB/ZEB standards for existing buildings, while clarifying whether they are cost-effective only with financial incentives or when combined with already scheduled renovation works.
Develop methods and datasets to incorporate the co-benefits of building renovation into cost-effectiveness calculations and make their use mandatory.
Integrate all of the above into the mandatory training or examination process (priority D).
B. Developing an online tool to compare EPC recommendations with deep renovation pathways
Create a high-quality online tool—if one does not already exist—ensure it remains up to date, and verify that the recommendations it provides are consistent with deep renovation aligned with NZEB/ZEB standards as defined in the EPBD. Member States may use the concept and master tool developed by QualDeEPC.
C. Establishing Deep Renovation Network Platforms (One-Stop Shops with networking and coordinated outreach by supply-side actors)
Each EU Member State should implement a combination of two types of Deep Renovation Network Platforms:
A basic Deep Renovation Network Platform, which would be a national-level web platform providing a one-stop shop for all relevant information (including on EPCs and enhanced renovation recommendations), along with active marketing.
A network of local or regional physical hubs, supported by a combination of core national funding and service-generated income. These hubs could provide most of the services of an extended platform. They would form part of a national network linked to the central platform (see above), and receive technical and financial support from the national level for their information provision, active marketing, training, and other agreed activities.
D. Mandatory regular training for EPC assessors on assessment and renovation recommendations, required for certification and registration
D. Mandatory regular training for EPC assessors on assessment and renovation recommendations, required for certification and registration EPC assessors should be required to complete either initial and periodic training or regular examinations as a condition for certification and registration. “Regular should be defined as every 3 to 5 years. Particular focus should be placed on renovation recommendations aligned with deep energy renovation.
E. Improving the user-friendliness of the EPC
Further enhance the data and presentation of the EPC, for example by using the draft proposed by QualDeEPC. Ensure that the renovation recommendations are consistent with deep energy renovation in both their selection and energy efficiency levels, and that options for stepwise implementation are clearly indicated.
In addition, develop a guidebook or tutorial for EPC assessors on how to complete the enhanced EPC form.
The proposed template will need to be revised to include the mandatory indicators required under Annex V of the revised EPBD.
Other indicators or elements proposed by QualDeEPC may be considered for inclusion in Annex V in a future revision of the EPBD.
F. Establishing voluntary or mandatory advertising guidelines for EPCs
Create easy-to-use advertising guidelines that ensure compliance with the mandatory display of EPC energy data and class.
Promote the existence and benefits of the guidelines broadly and proactively.
Consider mandating the use of the guidelines.
Require EPC assessors to provide a leaflet with the guidelines, relevant links, and legal requirements to building owners alongside the EPC —particularly if the use of the guidelines becomes mandatory.
These guidelines will support the implementation of, and compliance with, Article 20(4) of the revised EPBD.
G. Strengthening compliance with the mandatory use of EPCs in real estate advertisements
Appoint a designated authority with sufficient resources and a clear mandate to: perform random checks on a sample of advertisements; report non-compliance to the competent enforcement bodies (if these are not the same authority); and raise awareness of the obligation to display EPC energy data and class in real estate advertisements, along with the relevant advertisement guidelines.
Define staged penalties for non-compliance.
These recommendations will support the implementation of, and compliance with, Article 20(4) of the revised EPBD.
Conclusions
Evidence from testing the enhanced EPC scheme developed by QualDeEPC clearly shows that improved renovation recommendations—and their user-friendly presentation on EPCs—constitute an important first step towards deep energy renovation. This should be accompanied by improved training for EPC assessors. A supportive ecosystem for deep energy renovation should be fostered, for example, through deep renovation network platforms or other forms of One-Stop Shops. The policy guidelines summarised in this article are based on the QualDeEPC White Paper, developed following extensive stakeholder discussions in partner countries and at EU level. They can support the implementation of the recently revised EPBD as well as potential future revisions.
