EU Directive
(EPBD, 2003) of the European Parliament and Council on energy efficiency of buildings ("Energy Performance of Buildings Directive", EPBD) was adopted, after a lively discussion at all levels and with overwhelming support from Member States and the European Parliament, on 16th December 2002 and entered into force on 4th January 2003. This Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is considered as a very important legislative component of energy efficiency activities of the European Union designed to meet the Kyoto commitment and responds to issues raised in the Green Paper on
energy supply security.
The recent EC Action Plan for Energy Efficiency identifies energy efficiency in the building sector as a top priority. With a key role for the EPBD in realising the savings potential in the buildings sector, which is estimated at 28%, and which in turn can reduce the total EU final energy use by around 11%.
The Directive is set to promote the improvement of energy performance of buildings with the following requirements to be implemented by the Member States:
* the general framework for a methodology of calculation of the integrated energy performance of buildings;
* the application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings;
* the application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of large existing buildings that are subject to major renovation;
* energy performance certification of buildings;
* regular inspection of boilers and of air-conditioning systems in buildings and in addition an assessment of the heating installation in which the boilers are more than 15 years old;
* requirements for experts and inspectors for the certification of buildings, the drafting of the accompanying recommendations and the inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems.
Energy Performance Certificates in house sales were introduced on 1 Aug 2007
epc N Martins-Energy Assessor 07966 916 843