Energy certificate

The energy performance certificate is a document that assesses the energy efficiency of a building. It gives you a rough estimate of the future energy costs for an apartment or house and makes the energy requirements of houses comparable.

Energy performance certificates must be presented for new buildings and when selling, renting or leasing buildings.

There are two types of energy certificate. These differ in the calculation method.

• Energy requirement certificate

The energy certificate is issued on the basis of the calculated energy requirement of the building. This procedure is mandatory for new buildings. This demand-oriented energy performance certificate calculates the energy requirement based on the condition of the building envelope and the building services, assuming average user behavior. In the simplified procedure, the data is recorded via a typology of the building form, components, year of construction, etc., while the detailed procedure records the building to be examined and its building services in detail.

• Energy consumption certificate

The consumption-oriented energy performance certificate reflects the weather-adjusted consumption of the building over at least the past three years. In certain cases, the result depends heavily on user behavior during this period. Heating and ventilation behavior have an effect on the result.

Only qualified experts are authorized to issue energy performance certificates. The requirements for the qualification of issuers are regulated by law. However, there is no certificate or other document confirming the authorization to issue energy performance certificates. However, several website operators offer expert searches on the Internet.