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Understanding the People-Centered Framework for Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) assess the energy efficiency of a building and provide ratings for energy consumption. They are vital tools in fighting climate change as they provide crucial information on the energy consumption of a building and can be used to highlight areas where improvements can be made. Energy efficiency is an extremely important factor in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. EPCs are the essential first step in pinpointing where a building is not performing at its best and how it can be improved. They can be used to identify potential cost savings as well as ways to cut carbon emissions. EPCs also allow consumers, landlords and tenants to make more informed decisions when considering the energy needs of a property. Once the EPC is issued, these parties can decide if energy efficiency improvements should be made, and if so, what measures can best be implemented.

EPCs are also an important tool for those looking to save money on their energy bills. The certificates indicate the energy efficiency of a building and can be used to identify ways to improve efficiency, thereby reducing energy bills. Private use of EPCs has numerous benefits, including both short-term and long-term savings. An energy audit preceding an EPC can help identify energy wastage, allowing individuals to make informed decisions to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills. This could include insulating walls, double and triple glazing, more efficient lighting and better ventilation. In the long-term, EPCs can help to save money on energy bills by ensuring that buildings are regularly inspected. Regular inspections can detect the need for repairs or maintenance, ensuring that buildings remain energy efficient and that energy bills stay low. An EPC is also useful if you’re looking to sell or let a property. Potential tenants or buyers can see the energy rating of the building, allowing them to make an informed decision and helping to ensure a successful sale. Ultimately, investing in an EPC can provide measurable savings in terms of energy efficiency and energy bills. It’s an essential tool for homeowners and landlords looking to save money on their energy bills.

At a municipal level, EPCs are extremely beneficial. Having an energy performance certificate for public buildings can help to reduce the burden on the municipality’s budget and on the taxpayers by ensuring the higher energy efficiency of buildings and helping to save money on energy bills. EPCs are also a useful tool for council members when assessing new developments, as high efficiency buildings can help to reduce the municipality’s energy bills. All in all, there are numerous benefits associated with EPCs for municipalities, and they should be a consideration for any town or city looking to improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy bills.

Saving energy in buildings is crucial to reduce Europe’s energy consumption and thus its carbon emission. Currently energy renovation rates remain too low, with only around 1% of our buildings being renovated each year and with deep renovations stuck at 0.2% only. To accelerate the renovation rate and depth in line with the European Union’s Renovation Wave Strategy, the European Commission proposed to recast the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to ensure that the building sector contributes to a higher greenhouse gas emission target for 2030, while also supporting vulnerable EU citizens. The Renovation Wave aims to increase the energy renovation rate from 1% to 2%, which may ultimately be too low to ensure that the EU building stock becomes highly energy-efficient and decarbonised by 2050.

To support the adoption of efficient energy-saving solutions, the use of energy performance certificates (EPCs) has become increasingly important. EPCs help to bring transparency to energy performance in buildings and assist energy-saving investments. By providing reliable, comparable and accurate information on the energy performance of buildings, EPCs can raise awareness and inform decision-making related to energy efficient building renovation. Their implementation is essential for reducing energy consumption in buildings and contributing to the decarbonisation of the built environment.