Energy performance of buildings

The Cabinet last Monday approved the publication of the legal notice on the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2008. The main change that is being proposed to the existing regulations on the energy performance of buildings is the requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for:

• All new buildings;

• Buildings larger than 1,000 m2 undergoing major renovation;

• Sale or rent of buildings.

Certain types of buildings are exempted from these requirements.

The EPC will be issued by registered assessors, that include architects or services engineers, including foreign ones from other EU member states, who will be required to attend a short training course.

As a result of the Kyoto Protocol, the EU set the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as an important objective.

It is estimated that around 40 per cent of CO2 emissions derive from energy use in buildings. Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) contains a package of mandatory measures des-igned to secure a significant reduction of such emissions from buildings.

Comments

A Camilleri (on 23/7/08)

This is a step in the right direction, albeit a bit late in the day, with all the rampant construction that went on the past 10-15 years disregarding any energy saving safeguards. I live in a 20 year old apartment and is 92% energy efficient. The government, where I live in mainland Europe, is introducing a tax, depending on the energy efficiency of buildings.

If this legal notice is not enforced properly then it's just a waste of time and of tax payer's money!