What is the energy performance certificate and why to choose a class A home

What is the energy performance certificate?

The energy performance certificate is a document without which an owner cannot rent or sell a house, apartment or studio, or do renovation work. If this document is not provided to the buyer, then the sale-purchase contract of the property will be void and can be challenged in court. In addition, the better the certification obtained, the higher the price of the property. Therefore, the possession of this deed will be an advantage for the seller, but also for the buyer, who will know how to give the money. In general, selling without an energy certificate will not be possible.

Therefore, any housing project must also consider their energy efficiency. Based on this technical document, the energy performance of the building is attested, but also its inclusion in an energy performance class. This type of certification is elaborated for the newly built buildings or for the existing ones and respects the reference values provided in any technical regulation in force.

What is the legislation regarding the energy performance certificate

And yet, what is the law on the energy certificate? Currently, the legal framework refers to a series of directives, laws and ordinances both at the level of the European Parliament, but also in Romania.

In order to define the energy performance of a building, the following factors are taken into account:

• thermal insulation;
• own sources of energy production;
• the technical characteristics of the building and installations;
• the influence of neighboring buildings;
• the way the building is designed and located and how it is influenced by climatic factors;
• the interior climate of the building, but also other factors that can influence the energy needs.

Depending on these factors, each building receives a rating from 1 to 100. The rating is directly proportional to energy efficiency. Also based on this grade, it will be classified in an energy class, from A to G, A being representative for the lowest energy level, so the highest efficiency.

Who issues the energy performance certificate? Only a certified energy auditor. It is the only one able to issue the energy certificate following an analysis.

How to obtain the energy performance certificate

Buildings that carry out human activities, for example, apartment buildings, hospitals, restaurants, hotels or schools, but also the rest of the buildings that need either a cooling system or heating need this type of certificate.

However, a few steps will be required to issue the energy certificate. The procedure provides for the analysis undertaken by an energy auditor, certified by the Ministry of Public Works, Development and Administration. After performing the audit, the entire energy auditor will prepare the audit report and issue the energy certificate.

To start this process, you will need a series of documents required for the energy certificate:

• the request from the owner / investor / administrator of the building, to the energy auditor;
• the contract concluded with the energy auditor on the basis of which he will provide his services;
• documents sent to the auditor, such as: architectural plans, general plans for the area of the building, installation plans, bills for hot, cold water, heat or fuel, details about the position of the windows and the insulation of the building and others;
• other documents and information gathered by the auditor.

The issued certificate will be checked by the State Construction Inspectorate. In addition, this institution will analyze the energy audit reports, as well as the inspection reports of the air conditioning / heating system. You can see online what a model energy certificate looks like.

Which buildings do not require the energy performance certificate

There are also some buildings that do not need this certificate. What they are and why they don't need this document, you can find out from the following:

• historical monuments and buildings, because any change in energy efficiency may affect their character or appearance;
• independent buildings, if they have an area of less than 50 sqm;
• residential buildings, if used less than four months a year;
• Temporary buildings, if they are used for a maximum of two years and are located in industrial areas or are workshops or non-residential buildings in the field of agriculture and thus consume little energy.

Also, the category of buildings that do not require such a certificate includes places of worship.

Why the energy performance certificate is required

And yet, why can't the sale be made without such a document? Obtaining the energy performance certificate is relevant because in its absence the validity of certain documents cannot be ensured, for example the sale-purchase contract.

Such a document is also useful to authenticate the reception of works on the building, but also provides very important information about energy consumption. Thus, you have a clearer picture of the maintenance costs required; the certificate can therefore be used as a tool to set a fair price for the property. Depending on the energy certification, you can also decide on the financing method. Obviously, you will take into account the other facilities .

The certificate is valid for 10 years, and the only possible changes appear if you make major renovations to classify the home in a higher energy class. If a building is frequented by the public, whether it is public or private property, the certificate must be obtained, but also displayed in a visible place. Failure to do so will result in serious penalties!

How much does an energy performance certificate cost?

Now that you know what an energy certificate is, you probably want to know how much it costs. Well, the tariffs for obtaining the energy certificate have been approved by the Association of Energy Auditors for Buildings and differ depending on the services provided. So, there are four categories:

• Category A, for energy performance certificate;
• Category B, for energy expertise, energy expertise report and energy performance certificate;
• Category C, for energy audit and energy audit report;
• Category D, for consultancy in the field of energy for buildings.

The rate will be different depending on the type of building. On the AAECR website (Association of Energy Auditors for Buildings in Romania, you can find the rate for each type of service and for each type of building.

Why choose a home with energy efficiency class A?

Our residential complex boasts many more facilities, finishes and facilities , but we are especially proud of the fact that we are in energy class A.

To be classified in energy class A, a building must:

• to have a maximum consumption of 125 kWh / m2 / year;
• to have zero energy consumption from non-renewable sources (kWh / m2 / year) equal to zero;
• to provide lighting with LED sources;
• to automate the heating installation;
• to automate the hot water consumption installation (by mounting the flow meters on the hot water and cold water connections);
• to have well-insulated thermal installations;
• to have thermally insulated exterior walls;
• to have efficient carpentry.

Why would that be to your advantage? Simple! Because this way you can find out the amount of energy consumed per square meter / year and you can easily deduct maintenance costs. Such a certification gives you the advantage of having low interest rates on mortgage purchases, but also lower current and / or gas bills.

In addition, you enjoy the guarantee that your apartment is well insulated, has high-performance installations, and energy losses are minimal, whether we are talking about heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and so on. Find out more about the state of the works , but also about the rules of living in a block of flats before making a decision.

Is this your dream apartment in Aqua City? Access the contact section and we will answer this question in great detail!