What We Do

In The Directive on the energy performance of buildings was established at the European parliament in 2002 and requires buildings be certified in terms of their energy efficiency.

Member states have set their own minimum standards of energy efficiency, and large public buildings will have to display their energy certificate to the public.

The four key points of the Directive are:

• Establishing a common methodology for calculating the integrated energy performance of buildings
• Setting minimum standards on the energy performance of new buildings and existing buildings that are subject to major renovation
• Systems for the energy certificate of new and existing buildings and for public buildings, prominent display of this certification and other relevant information. Certificates must be less than five years old
• Regular inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings and in addition an assessment of heating installations in which the boilers are more than 15 years old

The common methodology should include all the aspects, which determine energy efficiency and not just the quality of the building's insulation. This integrated approach should take account of aspects such as heating and cooling installations, lighting installation, the position and orientation of the building, heat recovery, etc. The minimum standards for buildings are calculated on the basis of the above methodology.

In Ireland, the implementation of EPBD is mainly in the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Certification will be obligatory for new residential buildings from January 1st 2007. For new non-residential - including public - buildings, a Building Energy Rating (BER) will be needed from July 1st 2008. Existing buildings (residential, non-residential and public buildings) when rented or sold must have a Building Energy Rating (i.e. an energy performance certificate) from January 1st 2009.