Energy Performance Certification of Buildings a Policy Tool to Improve Energy Efficiency
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Energy Performance Certification of Buildings A policy tool to improve energy efficiency Policy Pathway Energy Performance Certification of Buildings A policy tool to improve energy efficiency The IEA Policy Pathway series Policy Pathway publications provide details on how to implement specific recommendations drawn from the IEA’s 25 Energy Efficiency Policy Recommendations. Based on direct experience, published research, expert workshops and best-practice country case studies, the series aims to provide guidance to all countries on the essential steps and milestones in implementing specific energy efficiency policies. POLICY The Policy Pathways series is designed for policy makers at all levels of government E PATHWAY AT and other relevant stakeholders who seek U practical ways to develop, support, monitor L or modify energy efficiency policies in their A P V L home country and abroad. The Pathways A can also provide insight into the types of E N policies best adapted to the specific policy context(s) of different countries, so that each country derives the maximum benefit from M energy efficiency improvements. O N T I T N O E R M E L IMP IEA POLICY PATHWAY ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY The International Energy Agency (IEA), an autonomous agency, was established in November 1974. Its mandate is two-fold: to promote energy security amongst its member countries through collective response to physical disruptions in oil supply and to advise member countries on sound energy policy. The IEA carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among 28 advanced economies, each of which is obliged to hold oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of its net imports. The Agency aims to: n Secure member countries’ access to reliable and ample supplies of all forms of energy; in particular, through maintaining effective emergency response capabilities in case of oil supply disruptions. n Promote sustainable energy policies that spur economic growth and environmental protection in a global context – particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climate change. n Improve transparency of international markets through collection and analysis of energy data. n Support global collaboration on energy technology to secure future energy supplies and mitigate their environmental impact, including through improved energy efficiency and development and deployment of low-carbon technologies. n Find solutions to global energy challenges through engagement and dialogue with non-member countries, industry, international organisations and other stakeholders. IEA member countries: Australia Austria Belgium Canada Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Japan Korea (Republic of) Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Slovak Republic Spain © OECD/IEA, 2010 Sweden International Energy Agency Switzerland 9 rue de la Fédération 75739 Paris Cedex 15, France Turkey United Kingdom Please note that this publication United States is subject to specific restrictions that limit its use and distribution. The European Commission The terms and conditions are available also participates in online at www.iea.org/about/copyright.asp the work of the IEA. Table of contents Acknowledgements . 4 Executive summary . 5 Introduction . 7 What is energy performance certification of buildings? . 8 Energy performance assessment 9 Issuance of building certificates 10 Communicating through energy performance labels 13 Why is energy certification of buildings important? . 16 Raising awareness of energy consumption 16 Addressing market failures 17 Using complementary measures to increase impact 19 IEA member countries: Australia How to deliver effective energy certification: The policy pathway . 20 Austria Plan 21 Belgium Implement 29 Canada Monitor 32 Czech Republic Evaluate 34 Denmark Finland Conclusions and considerations . 38 France Germany Annexes . 41 Greece Case study 1: Ireland 42 Hungary Key guidance from Irish implementation Ireland Case study 2: Portugal 50 Italy Key guidance from Portuguese implementation Japan Korea (Republic of) Glossary . 57 Luxembourg References . 59 Netherlands New Zealand Norway Poland Portugal Slovak Republic Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom United States The European Commission also participates in the work of the IEA. IEA POLICY PATHWAY ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS 3 Acknowledgements A team of people within the IEA worked together A publication review group was created in May 2010 to produce this publication. They have all strived and was followed by teleconferences, individual to distil the lessons from existing experiences meetings and interaction with IEA Implementing with buildings certification into a succinct form Agreements on Demand Side Management that is useful for experts and policy makers in the (DSM) and Energy Conservation in Buildings and process of developing new certification schemes or Community Systems (ECBCS). The team expresses improving schemes already in place. special thanks to the following individuals who contributed ideas, case studies and comments The Policy Pathway series was conceived within the on the publication: Kevin O’Rourke, Eduardo IEA by Nigel Jollands, Head of the Energy Efficiency Maldonado, Paulo Santos, Kirsten Thomsen, Adam Unit. Lisa Ryan, in the same unit, acts as the project Hinge, Rod Janssen, Peter Wouters, manager for the series and provided strategic Randal Bowie, Tudor Constantinescu, Steve Baden guidance on developing this publication. and Sanjay C. Kuttan. The lead author of this particular pathway is Jens The publication was edited by Janine Treves with Laustsen. He was supported by Vivienne Brophy of Ilze Raath, under the direction of Marilyn Smith, the UCD Energy Research Group, University College Chief Editor of the IEA. Corinne Hayworth of the IEA Dublin, who assisted in drafting the report. Communications and Information Office undertook The team would like to thank Bo Diczfalusy, the graphic design and layout; the pictures were Director of the Directorate for Sustainable Energy provided by Jens Laustsen. Technology Policy, and Rick Bradley, Head of the Energy Efficiency and Environment Division, for their leadership and guidance. 4 IEA POLICY PATHWAY ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS Executive summary Buildings currently account for 40% of energy use Certification can be applied to both new and in most countries, putting them among the largest existing buildings. Certification schemes can be end-use sectors. The International Energy Agency mandatory, such as the European Union Energy (IEA) has identified the building sector as one of Performance of Buildings Directive (European the most cost-effective sectors for reducing energy EPBD), or voluntary, such as Energy Smart or consumption, with estimated possible energy savings ENERGY STAR. The certificates usually take one of of 1 509 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) by two forms: a positive label demonstrates whether 2050. Moreover, by reducing overall energy demand, a building meets a specified standard (such as the improving energy efficiency in buildings can Passive House Standard); a comparative label allows significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions comparison with other buildings (such as the HERS from the building sector, translating to possible Index and many European certification schemes). mitigation of 12.6 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions Comparative certification of existing buildings often by 2050 (IEA, 2010). includes advice on how to improve energy efficiency to obtain a better energy rating. The Policy Pathway series aims to guide policy makers and relevant stakeholders on the essential Delivery of a robust, accurate and cost-efficient steps in implementing policies that reflect the certification scheme depends on many supporting IEA 25 Energy Efficiency Recommendations. mechanisms including: validated assessment This specific pathway focuses on best practice procedures; training for assessors; quality assurance in implementing building energy certification procedures; and technology and administration programmes. systems to co-ordinate and maintain these functions. Energy performance certification is a key policy The introduction and recent amendments to the instrument that can assist governments in reducing European EPBD demonstrate growing recognition energy consumption in buildings. It provides among the policy community of the importance of decision makers in the buildings industry and the energy efficiency in the building sector. It also provides property marketplace with objective information a wealth of experience to draw from in European on a given building, either in relation to achieving countries that have implemented, or are striving to a specified level of energy performance or in implement, mandatory buildings energy certification. comparison to other similar buildings. As such, This pathway provides case studies and expert certification can help governments achieve national comments to demonstrate how two countries (Ireland energy targets and enhance environmental, and Portugal) have successfully implemented energy social and economic sustainability in the building certification schemes and highlights lessons learned sector. Often, certification is most successful when from the long-running Danish certification scheme. complemented with other initiatives that support This policy pathway couples the EPBD