European Commission and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)   

The European Commission (EC) is the executive arm of the European Union (EU) that is in-charge for recommending legislation, putting the legislated laws into action, sustaining the EU’s pacts and the daily management of the Union’s affairs.

One of the main objectives of EU is to reduce energy consumption and minimize the wastage of energy - to fulfill its commitments under the Kyoto protocol about climate change and security of supply.

Approximately 40% of total energy consumption by EU countries is consumed through building-related services. The EC realized that if improvements are made in this area, a considerable amount of energy can be saved and consequently answering certain issues on climate change. So the EU has initiated legislation to improve energy efficiency among its members.

A vital component of this legislation is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) that obliges every EU member to improve their building regulation laws and to require energy certification systems for existing and new buildings. The inspection of air conditioning systems and boilers in buildings are also being required.

The Directive came into force on 16 December 2002 and covers all residential and office buildings. However, some types of building such as industrial and historical buildings are not included. The Directive encompasses every facet of energy efficiency in buildings purposely to create an integrated solution to the problem. Nevertheless, the Directive did not cover rules concerning mobile equipments like home appliances.

Key Objectives of the Directive

• To set a minimum energy performance standard for existing and new buildings
• To formulate a general methodology for computing the combined energy performances of buildings
• To create schemes for energy certifications and inspections of all buildings with the exemption of historical and industrial buildings. These certificates must not be older than five years and must be displayed prominently
• To compel a routine inspection of air conditioning equipments and boilers in buildings. A test and assessment must be undertaken for boilers that are above 15 years

Certificates and Standards

The EU members are accountable for setting the minimum standards of energy efficiency. Part of their tasks is to ascertain that certifications as well as inspections of buildings are done by certified persons.

The Directive states that an Energy Performance Certificate should be secured prior to constructing, selling, or renting a building. It particularly cited rented buildings to make sure that the landlord comply and produce the necessary certificate because the burden of paying the monthly energy bill is normally on the tenant. Additionally, residents of the building must be able to control their usage of lighting and heat in a way that is safe and most of all cost-effective.

Recast to the Directive

With energy efficiency and climate change concerns becoming a priority issue for EU, the EC recommended a recast of the Directive as a key component of its Second Strategic Energy Review which took place in November of 2008. The recast aims to expand the coverage of the Directive and introduce enhancements for a greater impact on the issues it is addressing.

The EC arrived at an agreement on November 17, 2009 about the recommended Directive.

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