Do you need an energy certificate?

The energy performance certificate: an indispensable document for property owners and tenants

The energy performance certificate is a key instrument of the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) and is used to transparently present the energy consumption of buildings. It is required by law in Germany for almost all residential and non-residential buildings if they are rented, sold or leased. But what exactly is an energy performance certificate, what information does it contain and why is it so important?

What is an energy performance certificate?

The energy performance certificate is a document that assesses the energy efficiency of a building. It provides information on how much energy a building consumes on average for heating, hot water and ventilation. The aim is to make the energy requirements of a building comparable and to create incentives for energy-efficient renovations.

What types of energy certificates are there?

There are two types of energy certificate:

1. Consumption certificate: This is based on the actual energy consumption values measured over the last three years. It is usually less expensive and is suitable for buildings where meaningful consumption data is available.

2. Requirement certificate: Here, the energy requirement of a building is calculated based on its structural substance and system technology. The requirement certificate is more detailed and independent of the individual usage behavior of the residents.

Who needs an energy performance certificate

The energy performance certificate is mandatory for all properties that are sold, rented or leased. There are exceptions for listed buildings and smaller buildings with less than 50 square meters of floor space.

What information does the energy certificate contain?

The energy performance certificate includes:

• The type of energy performance certificate (consumption or demand certificate)

• Information about the building, such as year of construction and heating system

• The primary energy demand or energy consumption of the building

• The energy consumption of the building. energy consumption of the building

• A classification in the energy efficiency classes from A+ (very efficient) to H (less efficient)

• Recommendations for energy improvement measures

Advantages of the energy performance certificate

1. Transparency: Prospective buyers or tenants can easily assess the energy requirements of a building and better calculate operating costs.

2. Renovation aid: The recommended modernization measures provide owners with guidance for energy-related renovations.

3. Legal protection: Owners comply with their legal obligations and avoid fines.

How do you get an energy performance certificate?

Energy performance certificates may only be issued by licensed professionals such as energy consultants, architects or engineers. The costs vary depending on the type of certificate and the complexity of the building. A consumption certificate is usually cheaper (approx. 50-100 euros), while a demand certificate can be significantly more expensive (from 300 euros upwards).

Conclusion

The energy certificate is an important tool for promoting energy-efficient construction and renovation. It creates transparency for prospective buyers and tenants and helps property owners to optimize the energy efficiency of their buildings. If used correctly, both the environment and your wallet can benefit.