Energy certification A: everything you need to know about the top energy-efficiency rating

Energy certification A is the highest energy-efficiency rating that can be awarded to a home. It indicates how much energy a building requires without disrupting the normal consumption of the people living in it, and if it is rated A, we know it is a home with virtually zero energy consumption.

At Inditer, in fact, as specialists in industrial HVAC and refrigeration, we offer services and products that guarantee energy efficiency as well as environmental sustainability, so we understand first-hand the importance of implementing measures that bring us closer to this type of certification.

In addition, since June 2013 it has been mandatory to present or make available to buyers or tenants the energy-efficiency certificate for all or part of a building.

Through energy certification, it is possible to determine the CO2 emissions generated by a building to meet residents’ basic needs. In Spain, only 0.23% of homes have this type of rating, while most have an E rating (47.5%).

In the face of the imminent effects of climate change and the growing dependence on external energy, an Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan has been developed to improve both people’s health and the environment.

To meet the established efficiency requirements, it is necessary to improve the energy efficiency of Spanish homes, which is why energy certification A is so important today.

How to obtain an A energy rating

However, reducing the CO2 emissions produced by a building is not an easy task, and to obtain an A energy rating, a series of essential requirements must be met, which are sometimes very difficult to implement.

Although the vast majority of buildings constructed in 2007 will not have the appropriate infrastructure to obtain a rating higher than E, from 2020 onwards, buildings have started to be constructed that achieve virtually zero energy consumption.

Achieving an energy rating is complicated, but there are a number of measures you can take to reduce your home’s energy consumption and thus obtain a higher certification.

One of the key points is the home’s thermal insulation. To ensure it is optimal, we need double-glazed windows so that cold cannot get in during winter or heat during summer, maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.

However, a building’s thermal insulation does not stop there. Its infrastructure must be built with that same purpose, ensuring that each of its components does not allow heat to escape.

Another of the easiest guidelines to meet is to purchase appliances with at least an A+ energy certification. This will make a major difference in monthly energy consumption and will not only allow you to achieve the highest energy rating, but you will also save much more on your electricity bill.

The HVAC and refrigeration system you use is also decisive. Many people opt for biomass heating, or for more efficient air-conditioning systems.

At Inditer, for example, we offer industrial HVAC and refrigeration systems that meet the most demanding energy-efficiency requirements and can therefore assure our customers that they will be reducing their energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Differences between energy rating A and G

As explained in previous articles, the energy-efficiency classification can range from the letter A, which is the highest rating, to the letter G, which represents the lowest energy efficiency.

The main difference between them is that, while a G-rated building has an outdated structure not geared towards achieving maximum energy efficiency, A-rated buildings have been specifically designed for that purpose.

This, in turn, represents a significant economic difference in terms of monthly and, above all, annual expenditure, since an A-rated home requires a much smaller budget in the long run.

If you would like to learn more about what energy efficiency is and discover how to make your company or home more environmentally responsible, we recommend reading the following article: What energy efficiency is and how to achieve it.