D5.1 National reports on energy certification of buildings PORTUGAL

Transcription

1 - Energy Certification, Information And Communication Technologies For User Satisfaction D5.1 National reports on energy certification of buildings PORTUGAL 1

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3 Statement of originality This deliverable contains original unpublished work except where clearly indicated otherwise. Acknowledgement of previously published material and of the work of others has been made through appropriate citation, quotation or both. TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS... 4 THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE... 6 CERTIFICATE FOR NEW BUILDINGS... 8 CERTIFICATE FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS AND RENTED BUILDINGS... 9 CERTIFICATE FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS... 9 SOFTWARE, TOOLS OR PROCEDURES QUALIFIED EXPERTS FOR THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES NATIONAL INCENTIVES AND SUBSIDIES LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE CERTIFICATION LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1 - Energy label Figure 2 - Cover page of the EPC Figure 3 EPC evolution for new and existing buildings Figure 4 Energy label distribution for new and existing buildings and breakdown for residential, nonresidential and public buildings 3

4 Certification of buildings The implementation of the Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) in Portugal is reaching the maturity stage. Field implementation started in 2007, based on the three decrees published in 2006 and revised in 2013 to transpose the tighter requirements of the recast EPBD (2010/31/EU). Nearly 100 different stakeholder institutions made contributions that resulted in the actual revision, aimed among others at improving the methodologies and certification processes, based on the extensive experience gained over the last 5 years. It is expected that the updated legislation will fit better to the market needs and reality. On 4 April 2006, the Official Journal published three Decrees regarding the transposition of the EPBD into national law one for the certification of buildings (SCE), a regulation for HVAC systems (RSECE) and one for Thermal Regulations for Buildings (RCCTE) On August 2013 the revised regulation was published, transposing the recast EPBD for Portuguese legislation. Instead of having 3 separate decree-laws, it was decided to have them compiled in a single document, supported by a set of technical annexes that can be easily updated. Besides the reinforcement of the EP requirements in 2006, the EPBD transposition introduced for the first time in the building codes the need to issue an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). To effectively implement these requirements, ADENE designed, developed and currently supports the National System for Building Certification (SCE), which is based on a central registry and database. The requirements adopted in the 2006 building code were already established on the basis of cost-effectiveness, assuming values with a reasonable payback period. For the revised 2013 code requirements take into consideration the comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels published by the European Commission. The building code is however structured in a way that it allows a quick and easy update of requirements according to cost-optimality, if necessary. There are national strategies, including those envisaged in other action plans, for example: the Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the National Renewable Action Plan. It is notable the effort to guaranty the quality of the EPC. For example, Portugal has a high demanding training for Qualified Experts (QE), as a first level of assuring the quality of the issued documents. The Quality Assurance (QA) system is based on the assessment of a random sample of the EPCs issued daily. It has been in improving quality of work of the experts. ADENE has been compiling and publishing statistics based on the data stored at the central database, aiming at characterizing different aspects related to the EP of the building stock. These include general aspects like the distribution of ratings in EPCs issued in new and existing buildings. The most relevant is the database has been used to produce information useful for the revision of the technical regulations, such as tightening of minimum requirements and optimization of operational rules. Also, ADENE is supporting experts through a telephone and helpdesk. The National System for Building Certification (SCE) came into force on 1 July The timetable to implement the SCE for different types of buildings, according to the

5 regulations, was divided into three phases until its full implementation in January 2009, when all the required buildings will be included in the certification system: new buildings, major renovations, public buildings and all buildings when sold or rented. The major change of the revised regulation occurred by defining the need to have an EPC when the building is advertised, according to the stated in the recast EPBD. Also, Portugal has the national action plan for the progression to Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs). It is defined using Cost-optimal methodology described in the recast of the EPBD. 5

6 The energy performance certificate The system operates in conjunction with two sets of building regulations applied to construction, the Regulation of Energy Performance of residential buildings (REH) and the Regulation of Energy Performance of non-residential buildings (RECS). The implementation of these regulations is checked by qualified experts at several stages throughout a building s lifetime. The Energy Certificate is the most visible aspect of the SCE. This document will assign an energy performance label to residential and non-residential buildings and it may list measures for improving their energy performance. The energy label classifies the buildings on an efficiency scale ranging from A+ (high energy efficiency) to F (poor efficiency). This is similar to the scale currently used for some domestic appliances and equipment (although classes A and B are evenly subdivided in to classes A+, A, B, B-, to improve the distinction among new buildings all new buildings must be in the A+ to B- classes) and it allows for easy reading and interpretation by the consumer. Scale ranging is based on calculations in terms of primary energy. Nominal CO2 emissions are also listed on the front page of the certificate. Figure 1 - Energy label 6

7 Figure 2 - Cover page of the EPC The cost of the certificates is comprised by two parts, one is the registry fee and the other is the work of the qualified expert. The registration fee is different according to the typology or area, for residential and non-residential respectively. On the other hand, the price of the Qualified Expert is established by the market. For new projects, the cost is usually integrated in the price the designer and the project management will charge to the promoter of the building. For existing buildings, and based on the experience and some surveys, the values for residential units ranged from around 100 to 300, depending of the complexity, the size, or even the building type (multi-family buildings/single family houses). For non-residential buildings the prices can vary from 0.5 /m 2 to 1.0 /m2 for large buildings, or values similar to residential for small services. 7

8 Certificate for new buildings As stated, the energy certification for new buildings came into force in July The Energy Certificate is the most visible aspect of the SCE (Building Certification System). This document will assign an energy performance label to residential and nonresidential buildings and it may list measures for improving their energy performance. The energy label classifies the buildings on an efficiency scale ranging from A+ (high energy efficiency) to F (poor efficiency). This is similar to the scale currently used for some domestic appliances and equipment (although classes A and B are evenly subdivided in to classes A+, A, B, B-, to improve the distinction among new buildings all new buildings must be in the A+ to B- classes) and it allows for easy reading and interpretation by the consumer. The type and level of requirements depend on the type of building (dwellings, office buildings, schools, etc.) and cover: Maximum Heating and Cooling needs per m² of floor area; Maximum U-value; Minimum shading requirements for all windows; Minimum requirements for thermal bridges; Minimum requirements for air renovation; Mandatory installation of collectors for solar hot water (all residential buildings as well as large non-residential buildings with significant hot water use, e.g., hotels, hospitals, etc.); Maximum primary energy consumption per m² of floor area; Minimum efficiency and quality requirements for heating and cooling systems components. The proof of compliance must be made at two stages: when requesting the building permit; and after completion of the building (upon requesting building use). Control of the regulation is the responsibility of the Municipality where the building is located, based on the inclusion of the specific EPC according to the licensing stage, issued by an accredited expert registered in the SCE. National database of certified buildings is being updated with information that will be useful to monitor progress of different aspects of the implementation of the directive, from basic statistics such as the number of certified buildings to producing studies for the future possible tightening of minimum requirements that the EPBD demands on a periodic basis. 8

9 Certificate for existing buildings and rented buildings The energy certification for all buildings is mandatory since 2009, whenever a sale or rental contract occurs - at that point the EPC is presented to the new owner or tenant. One of the major changes in the new regulation, derived from the recast of the EPBD, is the fact that the energy label is now mandatory to be presented at the moment of advertisement. This fact allows for the future owners or tenants to be aware of the performance of the building, particularly at an energy level. The main purpose for the certification of existing buildings is to register the current performance of the building, and from that, to identify a set of recommendations that might lead to a reduction in terms of energy needs or energy consumptions. Around 80% of the EPCs registered in the SCE database, are EPCs for existing buildings which total around issued document. According to the information available is safe to say that about 10% of the building stock is already certified. Certificate for public buildings In Portugal, the definition of public building includes every non-residential building, owned by private or government bodies. Every non-residential building larger than 1000m 2 or 500 m 2, according to the building typology, shall be required to prominently display an energy certificate at the main entrance. Certificates are based on calculated energy ratings, and must be periodically renewed once every 6 years, so it is a simplify method. Certificates must include a list of recommended energy improvement measures based on actual consumption (energy bills). A detailed energy audit is thus required periodically, because even if it is possible to identify energy consumption through bills, it has to analyse the quality of HVAC system. 9

10 Software, tools or procedures The calculation procedures (art. 3) are defined in the Building regulations for residential buildings and in the HVAC regulations for non-residential buildings. For residential buildings the calculations can be performed by hand, on a spreadsheet, or using any other commercial software package that became available in the meantime, offering enhanced interfaces and databases of materials, construction details, etc. A software tool, produced by LNEG for the Energy Certification System (SCE), is used for the calculations of small non-residential buildings, according to the methodology of the recent regulations. For large non-residential buildings, commercial software tools complying with accuracy requirements based on ASHRAE standard (based on IEA s BESTEST criteria, the same list of software recognized by the US DOE, currently including about twenty American and EU based software packages) must be used to calculate energy consumption, using detailed hourly simulations on a yearly basis. National databases of hourly annual typical climates were prepared and published for every municipality in Portugal, and they must be used for demonstrating building compliance, to eliminate any uncertainties derived from the use of different climatic data sets. Qualified experts for the energy performance certificates Qualified experts are the only persons permitted to issue Certificates and carry out inspections. They must be recognized architects or engineers with at least five years experience, on the basis of peer-analysis of their CVs carried out, at first by elected boards by their professional associations and, from December 2013, by the energy agency according to recent regulation In addition, qualified experts must attend recognized training and pass a demanding national examination that evaluates their knowledge about the technical requirements of the building regulations and the details of the certification system itself. As stated in the regulations, ADENE is now responsible only for the exams that allow for a technician to be considered a qualified expert, whilst the (optional) training is open to different universities or training institutions. These courses are available for the two areas covered by the system and award different qualifications: REH (for residential buildings) and RECS (for non-residential buildings). Currently there are about 1600 recognized qualified experts, working actively in the system. 10

11 National incentives and subsidies In Portugal, fiscal benefits were created in 2009 as incentives for the adoption of the energy certification system: a 10% increase in the deduction related to house loans in the individual Income Tax for A/A+ level homes. Regarding the promotion of building energy efficiency, there is also a tax deduction at the individual Income Tax, corresponding to 30% for investments in renewable energies (2009) and insulating materials (2010), with a maximum of 803 per building. The National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (PNAEE), defined by the Portuguese government under the Directive 2006/32/EC, has established the general framework for financial support towards specific measures. The exact measures will be supported, as well as the detailed terms and conditions in order to access this available on the database of the certification system. Building certification is part of Measure 5. Support towards energy efficiency measures in buildings will be available under Measures 4 and 6. Until now, government support has been strongly oriented towards solar thermal energy for DHW, in both the residential and institutional sectors. Besides the tax deduction of 30% for the investment in renewable energies, Measure 6 of PNAEE Solar Program granted 50% non-refundable support towards investment in these systems during 2009 (residential sector) and 2010 (institutions). Consumers were able to purchase these systems directly in banks that took care of all necessary procedures and assure a professional installation of certified solar equipment. Supported by the Energy Efficiency Fund, some calls were created that tackled additional topics in order to promote and achieve the targets defined in the action plan. Two of the most recent ongoing calls, regarding residential buildings, were designed for the installation of solar thermal collectors and for the replacement of windows. 11

12 Level of compliance with the certification More than EPCs were issued since the scheme was launched in July 2007 until November 2013, date where the change of regulations occurred. An increase of the issued EPC was verified from that date, with more than documents registered in first 6 months of the new system. About 80% of these were issued since January 2009, for existing building, upon sale or rent new buildings existing buildings Figure 3 EPC evolution for new and existing buildings. Since 2009 in average, around 2,000 EPCs for new buildings and 8,000 EPCs for existing buildings are being issued every month, covering more than 90% of the licensing and selling processes that take place in the country. This way, a national database of certified buildings is being fed with up-to-date information that will be useful for monitoring the progress of different aspects of the implementation of the Directive, from basic statistics, such as the number of certified buildings, to impact assessment, including estimated energy savings. 90% of EPCs in the database were issued for residential buildings and 10% for non-residential buildings. In Portugal, the definition of public buildings includes every non-residential building owned by private or public. Currently, 1% the total number of EPCs issued corresponds to public buildings. The database contains mainly EPCs of existing residential building. Comparing the number of EPCs issued for this type of buildings with the existing building stock, we can conclude that nearly 10% of the building stock already has an EPC. Every non-residential building larger than 1,000 m 2 is required display an EPC at the main entrance. Currently, there are more than 5,000 public buildings certified and many more in the process of being certified. 12

13 Figure 4 Energy label distribution for new and existing buildings and breakdown for residential, nonresidential and public buildings. 13