When you buy a property in Spain, as part of the documentation they must provide the seller has to give you the corresponding energy efficiency performance certificate. So, what is this and how is it obtained? Let Breezom answer these questions and explain why it is important to you as a buyer.
To rate the energy consumed and CO2 produced by a dwelling, we need an energy performance certificate that certifies its efficiency level. This survey must be performed by an authorised technical expert, such as an architect, engineer or quantity surveyor who is specifically qualified in this field.
The energy performance rating for properties is part of a protocol that from 31 December 2020 requires new-build properties to have nearly zero energy consumption and dual certification.
The first certificate is issued during the drafting phase of the project and is based on estimation. It is mandatory and must be included as an appendix before project construction can begin. In this provisional certificate, the energy rating is based on the data of the building and the regulations applicable to it.
The second certification is undertaken when building is complete and is therefore more accurate, as it is carried out by means of an inspection and assessment.
Once both certificates are attained, they are compared, and if there are differences between them, the first one based on estimation is amended so that the ratings are the same on record.
What is the energy rating scale for dwellings?
In Spain, the energy rating of a home is measured on a letter scale, where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient.
When you get the energy certificate it should not be based on the climate, so the level you get should reflect the building’s efficiency in any season of the year, regardless of the temperature outside.
This certification serves to identify which buildings are efficient and which are not, and it contains indications of the strengths and weaknesses in efficiency, whereby buyers can assess whether, after a renovation, their rating could be improved.
The more efficient a property is, the lower its energy consumption will be, and this will be reflected in lower utility bills. The market value of a property rises in line with its energy efficiency performance rating.
Types of certificate
The seven energy efficiency values have a number of characteristics that here are some more details you might find interesting.
- “A”: homes that achieve this rating are the most efficient and consume less than 50 kw/m2 primary non-renewable energy per year. This type of property will have good thermal insulation throughout, high-efficiency installations and use a significant proportion of renewable energies.
- “B”: these dwellings also have a low energy consumption, around 70% less than the average home in Spain.
- “C”: with this energy rating it is estimated that they consume up to 35% less than average.
- “D”: they are slightly better than the national average, consuming up to 10% less.
- “E”: The vast majority of homes in this country have this energy rating and with some modifications can minimise their energy consumption.
- “F”: They are inefficient and poorly insulated. They are usually more than 40 years old and have been built with poorer quality materials.
- “G”: these are the houses with the highest energy consumption and therefore the least efficient. They are poorly insulated and use non-renewable energy sources.
With these descriptions it is clear that it is very important that new-build homes have an energy certification in the higher part of the scale, which guarantees their users significantly lower non-renewable energy consumption and much fewer CO2 emissions than that of a property with a G-rating.
How is the energy performance rating calculated?
To determine this level of energy efficiency, the expert contracted to perform the survey must calculate the energy consumption required to meet the energy demand of the building on an annual basis, taking into account normal operating and occupancy conditions.
They assess different aspects that are decisive, such as the orientation of the home, the materials it has been built with, ventilation, water consumption, heating, electricity, insulation and whether it uses renewable energies. By appraising these factors, the energy efficiency index can be obtained, which, as mentioned above, is identified by a label with a letter and a specific colour.
It should be noted that this certificate has been compulsory for all new homes sold in Spain since 2013. This classification is very useful for buyers, who know in advance the energy consumption and environmental impact of the property, which will help them to better assess their purchase.
New-build homes must indicate their energy classification from the time of construction.
How is the energy efficiency of a new building calculated in Spain?
When assessing the energy efficiency of a building, it is necessary to calculate its CO2 emissions and consumption of non-renewable primary energy in a year.
These data are expressed in kilograms of CO2 per square metre of dwelling (kg CO2/m2 year) and in kilowatt hours per square metre (kWh/m2 year), respectively.
These indicators measure the environmental impact of the consumption of heating, hot water, lighting and other emission-related aspects.
If you are thinking about buying a property in Spain, check out the wide range of properties listed on the Breezom website. And if you would like to discuss their energy efficiency rating and other sustainability measures, please feel free to contact us and our sales advisor will help you assess different options.
