Changes in EPBD - zero-emission buildings coming soon
As early as 2024, a new division of buildings into energy classes will be in effect. This will happen due to the amendments to the EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) approved by the European Parliament on March 14, 2023. They are part of the "Fit for 55" package introduced as part of the European Green Deal. They are intended to help achieve the EU's energy and climate goals for 2030 and 2050. The new regulations will accelerate the pace of building renovation, reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions, while also standardizing energy efficiency standards in the construction industry. The end result of the changes is to achieve climate neutrality in the construction sector in 2050. It's worth noting that it matters quite a bit here, as buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumed and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. These changes will benefit all of us, because energy-efficient buildings mean - as the name suggests - real savings on energy bills.
What will change and when?
As we already know, the changes are expected to make buildings fully zero-emission. It is worth knowing that a zero-carbon building is one that consumes no net energy. In simpler terms, it is a building that consumes as much energy on an annual basis as the amount of renewable energy produced at the site where it is located. To be able to determine this emissivity it becomes necessary to introduce energy classes for buildings. In the changes introduced in the directive, the main idea is to renovate old and energy inefficient buildings as soon as possible, and thus improve their energy class. The new regulations will most likely come into force in 2024. Here's what the timetable for compliance with the resulting changes will look like:
starting in 2026, all new buildings used or owned by public authorities should be zero-carbon,
from 2027, non-residential and public buildings must achieve energy class E, and from 2030, class D,
from 2028, all new private buildings should be zero-carbon, meaning that the energy used in them should come from renewable sources,
from 2030, residential buildings will have to achieve at least energy class E, and from 2033, class D,
from 2032, older residential buildings that have undergone major renovation for this purpose should be zero-carbon.
What do energy ratings mean?
The concept is somewhat familiar to us already, as we have been coming across them for years when buying household appliances. In the case of buildings, it will be similar. Energy class is defined on a scale from A+ to G, which takes into account indicators that determine the total energy required to use the building for its intended purpose. Thus, for example, A+ class buildings are fully zero-emission buildings, and G class buildings are those with the weakest energy performance. Currently, the energy classes of a building are determined based on the non-renewable primary energy (EP) index, which determines the amount of energy contained in non-renewable energy resources, and it depends on the type of energy carrier used in the building. This indicator can be lowered by using energy from RES, i.e. solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. Also key is the net delivered energy (ED) ratio, which indicates the difference between the final energy delivered and exported for the energy carrier, which will be calculated at the boundary of the delivered energy system. The boundary values can vary depending on the type and use of the building. After all, it is impossible to compare a single-family building, an apartment block, or a public building with each other. After the revised directive comes into force, the energy rating of a building will also be affected by the value of the building.
Buildings "outside the regulations"
The new regulations will not cover all buildings. Among others, monuments or other buildings protected due to their specific architectural features or historical character will be exempted. The same may also apply to technical buildings, buildings in temporary use and buildings that are places of religious worship. In addition, member states may also exclude public social housing "from the new law" if its renovation would result in rent increases that could not be compensated for by energy savings.