Energy performance certificate: an essential document for owners and tenants

Energy certificate: An essential document for owners and tenants

The energy certificate is an indispensable tool for making the energy consumption of buildings transparent. In Germany, it is mandatory for almost all residential and commercial buildings if they are rented, sold or leased. But what is behind the energy performance certificate, what details does it provide and why is it indispensable?

Definition of the energy performance certificate

An energy performance certificate assesses the energy efficiency of a building. It shows how much energy a building requires on average for heating, hot water and ventilation. The aim is to make the energy requirement comparable and at the same time provide impetus for renovation measures.

Different types of energy performance certificate

There are two types of energy performance certificate:

1. Consumption certificate: This is based on measured energy consumption data from the last three years. It is cost-effective and ideal for buildings with available consumption data.

2. Requirement certificate: Here, the energy requirement is calculated taking into account the building fabric and technical systems. This variant is more precise as it is independent of user behavior.

Who needs an energy performance certificate

An energy performance certificate is required for buildings that are sold, rented or leased. Exceptions apply to listed buildings and small buildings with less than 50 m² of usable space.

Contents of the energy performance certificate

The energy performance certificate provides the following information:

• Type of certificate (consumption or demand certificate)

• Year of construction and heating system of the building

• Primary energy demand or energy consumption

• The energy performance certificate provides the following information Energy consumption

• Energy efficiency classes from A+ (very efficient) to H (less efficient)

• Suggestions for energy improvements

Benefits of the energy performance certificate

1. Clear information: Interested parties can easily assess the energy efficiency and expected operating costs.

2. Orientation for renovations: Owners receive concrete recommendations for improvements.

3. Legal certainty: The presentation of the certificate meets legal requirements and avoids fines.

Creating an energy performance certificate

Only licensed professionals such as architects, engineers or energy consultants may issue energy performance certificates. The costs vary depending on the type of certificate and the complexity of the building: consumption certificates cost around 50 to 100 euros, demand certificates start at around 300 euros.

Conclusion

The energy certificate promotes energy-efficient construction and renovation. It creates transparency for potential buyers and tenants and provides owners with valuable information on how to optimize their properties. When used correctly, both the environment and the finances benefit