| From 1 January 2009 all buildings which are sold or rented
(with official contracts), will require Energy Certificates. This is all
part of an European strategy to measure and cut CO2 emissions. Each building
is given a rating which looks similar to those found on new refrigerators;
this varies from A to G, where A is the best and G the worst. In the case
of new buildings, these must be designed to achieve at least a B rating.
The certification process will include assessments of all thermal characteristics
of wall, roofs, shades, air conditioning and hot water systems and will
pay particular attention to solar panels and double glazing, which are
now considered almost obligatory for new buildings. There is also an assessment
of Air Quality; optimised ventilation is an essential feature of comfortable
and healthy buildings.
The Certificates are valid for up to 10 years and will be issued by specially
trained professionals such as architects, engineers and surveyors.
For older buildings, one of the key features is the inclusion of recommendations.
These indicate exactly where beneficial changes could be made along with
an estimate of costs and the length of the "pay-back period"
of the investment. For example, the certificate might indicate that the
addition of double-glazing, a solar panel and a more efficient boiler,
might cost EUR 20K which would be recouped within 12 years by lower bills
and would thereby merit a reclassification from an 'F' rating to a 'D'.
Whilst owners are not compelled at present to implement recommendations,
they may find that buyers are willing to pay a higher price for the most
energy-efficient properties or, conversely, a lower price for those that
are not. It will therefore become a point of negotiation, in perhaps the
same way that the petrol consumption of a car is a significant consideration
for most buyers.
If you are thinking of selling your property, it is recommended that
you obtain your Energy Certificate as soon as possible so that this does
not delay the sales process.
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