As part of its ongoing plans to make sure the EU meets it Kyoto Protocol commitments and to assist the Community in influencing the global energy supply, and thus the security of the energy supply through better demand management of energy, the Commission is proposing a series of measures to improve the energy performance of buildings.

The proposal takes the form of a directive which would apply to buildings as a whole or, in the residential sector, to parts of the building designed to be used separately; such as apartments or semi-detached houses. The term "energy performance of a building" is defined as "the total energy efficiency of a building, reflected in one or more numeric indicators which have been calculated, taking into account insulation, installation characteristics, design and positioning, own energy generation and other factors that influence the net energy demand".

Under the directive, member states would be required to adopt a methodology for calculating the energy performance of buildings based on a framework set out in an annex. This would include taking into consideration aspects such as heating installation, hot water supply, ventilation, lighting, position and orientation of houses and apartments etc. The energy performance would have to be expressed in a transparent and simple manner and may include a CO2 emission indicator.

New buildings intended to be regularly used would have to meet minimum energy performance standards. For those with a total surface area over 1,000m2 there would have to be an assessment of the feasibility of installing decentralised energy supply systems based on renewable energy, CHP, district heating or, under certain conditions, heat pumps before the building permit was granted. Existing buildings over 1,000m2 which underwent renovation would have to have their energy performance upgraded to meet minimum standards. This is only where technically feasible and where the costs could be recovered by the accrued energy savings within eight years in cases where the total cost of renovation was higher than 25 per cent of the existing insured value of the building.

The directive would require that whenever buildings (with some exceptions) were constructed, sold, or rented out, an energy performance certificate be made available to the prospective buyer or tenant. Details of what the certificate must contain are set out. Public buildings would have to have their certificate fixed in a prominent place clearly visible to the general public.

The directive would require that boilers of an effective output of more than 10kW be regularly inspected with regard to energy consumption and limiting carbon dioxide emissions. Those over 100kW would have to be inspected every two years. Boilers over 10kW which were older than 15 years, would be given a one-off inspection of the whole heating installation. On the basis of that inspection, the competent authorities would have to provide advice to users on the replacement of the boilers and on alternative solutions.

Also requiring regular inspection under the directive would be central air conditioning systems of an effective output over 12kW. As with boilers, inspectors would check energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. They would also assess the air-conditioning efficiency at full and part load and the sizing compared to the cooling requirements of the building. On the basis of the inspection they would then advise users on the possible improvement or replacement of the system and on alternative solutions.

COM (2001) 226 final. Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings. OJ C 213 E. 31.07.01. (only available on-line at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/oj/index-list.html)