CB06 (archived) The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (CIBSE Brie

This CIBSE Briefing has been archived, and should not be used on current projects.

The original Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was adopted in 2002. The Directive has now been ‘recast’, or revised, to clarify the original document and extend its scope in line with current European Union policy goals, whilst reducing the variations in its implementation.

The Directive follows the general shift in focus of EU policy and regulation from carbon emissions to an explicit emphasis on energy performance. In particular, the Directive addresses the energy efficiency of buildings, both new and existing, and it recognises the importance of renovating the existing stock, and the long refurbishment cycles which can lock in poor energy performance for many years.

There are explicit references in the “recitals” to the Directive, which precede the Articles, to the need to limit energy used for air conditioning, and therefore to give priority to the reduction of overheating in buildings and emphasis on the use of passive cooling and thermal mass in buildings. The recitals also recognise the vital role of properly trained and competent installers and professional experts in delivering integrated energy efficiency and renewable technologies.

The provisions of the Directive cover energy used for space and hot water heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting for new and existing residential and non residential buildings. It sets a target for all new buildings to be ‘nearly zero-energy buildings’ by 2020, including existing buildings undergoing “major renovation”. The UK already has goals for zero carbon homes by 2016 and non-domestic buildings by 2019. The revised Directive includes several other new provisions. These include the provision of a comparative methodology to enable governments to calculate cost-optimal levels for setting minimum standards of energy performance (Article 4).

For more information, download the full pdf.