Energy Performance Certificate
Since 1 January 2008 the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg applies a new regulation which transposes into Luxembourg law the European directive 2002/91/CE concerning the buildings’ energy performance. The purpose is to improve the energy performance of the residential buildings and reduce the consumption of energy as well as the greenhouse gas emissions in the housing sector. This regulation forms the legal basis of the energy performance certificate for the new buildings, and for the existing ones as well.
What is the energy performance certificate?
The energy performance certificate is a quality label related to the energetic performance of the residential buildings. It enables someone interested to check at a glance if a building is energy efficient or energy consuming. The energy performance certificate shows in a very simple and transparent way the energy requirements of a building or a house. Even with no technical knowledge, the consumer can easily evaluate the energy quality of the residential building.
Which information can you find on the energy performance certificate?
The key component of the energy performance certificate is the energy consumption value based on the energy needs calculated for the residential building. This calculation is performed according to very precise rules defined by the grand-ducal regulation of 30 November 2007 in relation to the buildings’ energy performance. The result is a classification of the residential buildings that follows a rating system similar to the one applicable to the electrical devices.
In addition, the energy performance certificate gives you information on the energy requirements and CO2 emissions of the building concerned. Furthermore, it gives you suggestions in relation to the optimizing measures to be actioned in the case of an existing building. Thus, for instance, you can understand how an additional insulation of the exterior walls together with the integration of a solar thermal installation can influence the energy needs and therefore influence the classification of the residential building. The establishment of the energy performance certificate and its results do not lead to any energetic renovation direct obligation.
The index is defined by the ratio between the energy requirements and the effective energy-related surface area. This energy reference area corresponds to the conditioned part of the net floor area inside the thermal shell. A conditioned space is a space that requires heating system or air-conditioning for its standard use.
In the calculation of the energy efficiency rating, all the factors that determine the energy requirements of a house are taken into account. Therefore, the production of heat and domestic hot water is considered to determine the energetic and environmental performance with which is exploited the energy of the combustible chosen. It considers the way the energy carrier – natural gas, oil, or electricity – is obtained and converted before it arrives at the consumer’s home.
Issuance of the energy passport certificate
Simple, non-bureaucratic, economicThe energy performance certificate explains on 5 pages the energetic quality of the residential building. It is established for the whole building and remains valid for 10 years, with all costs charged to the owner responsible for the association of co-owners of the building.
With regard to the new buildings and restoration work that requires building authorization, the energy performance certificate is mandatory since 1 January 2008. With respect to the existing residential buildings, the certificate is required since 1 January 2010 in the event of a sale or rental.