Energy Performance Certificate three steps towards benefits

Transcription

1 Energy Performance Certificate three steps towards benefits

2 Why Energy Performance Certificate? The overall purpose of energy performance certification of buildings is to be economical with energy and to promote sustainable development. Aiming to reduce emissions harmful to the climate and to our living environment is also a reason, as is getting a good grip on how to save money to deal with the effects of sharply rising energy prices. An energy performance certificate describes how effective a building is from an energy point of view. It also makes it possible to compare it with similar buildings. In connection with the certification, you will also find out whether the building can be improved, how energy consumption can be reduced and the operating costs brought down. If the measures are carried out the building might also increase in value. Buildings account for about 40 percent of energy consumption in our country. The energy performance certification is based on an EC directive. The law on energy performance certification of buildings was adopted in Sweden s energy objective for homes and premises is that energy consumption in 2020 shall be 20 percent lower than it was in See energideklaration for details. 2

3 Why is the energy performance certificate advantageous for you as a building owner? The energy demand of a building varies of course depending on a great number of factors: the type and age of the building, geographical location, construction, insulation, type of heating, indoor temperatures and the habits of those living or working in the building. It is however possible to take measures that reduce energy consumption. It is not a bad idea to begin with an energy performance certification, as a first measure. Apart from the fact that it is actually obligatory, the energy performance certification offers you a number of positive aspects: It shows how your building feels. It notifies you of important examinations, for example, ventilation and radon. It provides you with recommendations for cost-effective improvement measures that will contribute to the well-being of you and your building. It constitutes a documentation basis when you wish to carry out improvements and perhaps apply for grants/state subsidies. It provides you with reference values so that you can compare your building with similar buildings. It contributes to a sustainable society, if the recommended measures are carried out. 3

4 Who and when? After the turn of the year 2008/09 the following buildings must have energy performance certificates: rental buildings (multi-dwelling blocks and detached and semi-detached houses) cooperative buildings/tenant-owner flat buildings (multi-dwelling blocks and detached and semi-detached houses) non-residential premises for lease special-purpose estates exceeding 1,000 m 2 (e.g. swimming baths, libraries, schools and health care buildings). After January 1, 2009 the following regulations also apply: All detached and semi-detached houses that are not for lease must have energy performance certificates no later than the time of sale. This applies to detached or semi-detached houses and the like, in which the owners live and operate. If you sell your (detached) house after January 1, 2009 and do not have an energy performance certificate available when the contract of sale is signed, then the buyer has the right to carry out a certification at your (the seller s) expense. Newly-built buildings must be certified no later than 2 years after the first occurrence of any of the following: - the building has begun to be used or - subsequent to the issue of the final certificate. exemptions Some buildings are generally exempt from the energy performance certificate requirement. These are: buildings with industrial operations or workshops holiday houses with no more than two dwellings and buildings with a floor area smaller than 50 m 2. The following are also exempt: non-residential buildings for agriculture and forestry buildings constructed for temporary use buildings declared listed or historical must be certified if there are energy efficient measures possible to carry out without distorting the building buildings belonging to the national overall defence buildings mainly used for religious activities Other exemptions are: leasehold buildings buildings sold/leased within the same group of affiliated companies single or double-dwelling houses sold/ leased to close relatives or leased by will single or double-dwelling houses sold by expropriation or from estates in bankruptcy. supervision The local municipality is the supervising authority for multi-dwelling blocks and other buildings. Does not apply to owner-occupied houses. 4

5 Who does what? YOU will only need to perform a single triple jump. By that you save energy, environment and money. You MUST: collect - contact - put up. 1. Collect the building records having bearing on the use of energy*. 2. Contact an independent expert. Accredited experts to perform an energy declaration are listed on 3. Put up the clearly visible summary of the energy performance certification in the building s entrance or reception. The result lasts for ten years! This is how long the energy performance certificate is valid. But when your technology has improved, you can try again and go further. You are allowed to perform an energy performance certification whenever and as often as you wish. * May regard number of flats, offices, shops or something else. Also drawings, year of construction, alterations, type of insulation, floor area, heated or cooled surfaces, heating and ventilation systems, water heating, window surfaces, fans and pumps, various types of energy and annual costs. Also notes whether compulsory ventilation controls and radon measurements have been carried out. THE EXPERT: Is experienced and trained for his task. May request additional information from you**. Will inspect your house if there are measures available to recommend or if there are no records available in order to make an expert judgement. Has access to reference material and compares your building with similar buildings. Prepares an energy performance certificate for each building in question. Notes whether compulsory ventilation controls and radon measurements have been carried out. Registers the energy performance certificate electronically in the register at the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning. Sends you a copy of the certificate together with recommendations on measures that effectively can reduce your costs. Simultaneously sends a summary for you to put up. ** This regards for example alterations and extensions, complementary additions to energy sources, change of use, efficiency improvements of ventilation, modernization of equipment, attic and basement fittings and fixtures, supplementary insulation, garage fittings and fixtures or glazing. 5

6 Where does the energy leak out? SP, the Technical Research Institute of Sweden, estimates that on average percent of the heat in multi-dwelling blocks is lost through ventilation and the rest is lost through walls, ceilings and windows. Windows and doors leak between five and ten times as much heating energy as walls. Heat recovery reduces the losses in ventilation by percent. Other energysaving measures may consist of building envelope sealing and supplementary insulation. In detached and semi-detached houses, floors, walls, ceilings and windows account for 70 percent of heat loss. In detached and semi-detached houses with supplementary insulation the estimated loss is reduced to 60 percent. The same percentage applies to building envelopes in terraced houses. After heat loss through building envelopes and ventilation, a large part of energy consumption is for hot water production. 6

7 What can be made more energy efficient? Improvement measures can include: - heating system adjustments - computer-controlled heating - heat recovery - heat pumps - alternative energy such as solar collectors - more efficient fans - demand-controlled ventilation of premises - low-energy light-bulbs, fluorescent lighting - time or attendance controlled lighting - more efficient tumble-driers - supplementary insulation of e.g. attics - sealing around doors and windows - more energy efficient windows - adjustment of water temperature - low-flush water taps - adjustment or replacement of thermostats - time control of engine heaters - training of management staff - information to tenants The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has put together fact sheets on energy efficient measures. In certain cases you may also receive financial support. Since December 8, 2008 the government has implemented a special tax reduction for housing improvements or maintenance and for additions or alterations to houses older than 5 years (ROT-avdrag). Additional information is available on Other subsidies are granted for e.g. installation of solar heating or switching from direct electric heating. Visit for details. 7

8 Energy Performance Certificate three steps towards benefits As a building owner, you can prepare by: reading the electricity, heat and water meters of the building preparing energy bills preparing drawings of the building calculating and recording the building surface areas checking whether ventilation controls are necessary and have been carried out checking whether radon measurements have been carried out. Additional information is available on Boverket Dec, Photo: Mats Alm/Jolly Media, Marianne Nilsson, Britt-Louise Morell, Jörgen Ragnarsson, Matton Images, illustration: Lars Hall. Graphic design: JG Communication. The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning Boverket is the central government authority in Sweden for town and country planning, management of land and water resources, building and housing. PO Box 534, SE Karlskrona, Sweden tel , fax: