Due to the environmental impact caused when a building is renovated or constructed, energy certification E has been created worldwide in order to determine its energy consumption.
As well as to know how much CO2 is released into the atmosphere, and thus be able to rate its energy efficiency and quality.
The main objective of energy certification E is to encourage proper energy use by building owners, where they take measures to save energy, thus helping the sustainability of the environment and the planet.
Energy Certification Rating
Energy certification is rated using a letter scale ranging from A, for the most efficient properties, to G, which is the rating for the least efficient properties.
This consumption rating is based on measuring the energy used by the property and the amount of carbon dioxide produced by consumption.
According to studies conducted in Spain, the certificate that most buildings obtain is letter E, which means that a high percentage falls within a medium-low or inefficient rating.
There are companies commissioned to perform this type of rating, where the technicians in charge must conduct a study on the elements that determine a building or property’s energy consumption, such as ventilation and climate control systems.
Based on the results obtained, they must issue an official report to provide the appropriate rating.
Characteristics of Energy Certificate E
Type E energy certification is the most common in most autonomous communities, except for the Canary Islands, because in most properties in that region water is heated using the Joule effect method, which receives a higher penalty.
Due to the type of construction carried out in Spain until 2007, a type E energy certification is considered a good result, since housing construction at that time did not include thermal insulation requirements or measures to improve energy efficiency.
Properties with energy certification E typically present these characteristics:
- Year of construction between 1981 and 2007, under NBE-CT-79 regulations.
- Façade walls with double layer and air cavity (in newer ones, with thermal insulation in the cavity).
- Aluminum windows with single glazing; in some more recent ones, aluminum or PVC with double glazing or insulated glass.
- DHW installation for hot water: electric water heaters or gas heaters (butane or natural gas).
- Regarding climate control systems (cooling or heating), they typically use split air conditioning units for bedrooms and living rooms; to a lesser extent, electric wall radiators and hot water radiators.
- In properties built between 2000 and 2004, climate control by heat pump (heating and cooling) through ducts in bedrooms and living rooms. In some, electric radiant floor heating in bathrooms.
Generally, these properties are of standard medium quality, but most are in good condition.
What is the Consumption of a Property with Energy Rating E?
The energy expenditure of a property with energy certification E is approximately 1,010 euros annually for a 100-square-meter property, according to measurement studies based on hot water, cooling, and heating consumption.
Although it may seem excessive, it should be noted that this expenditure represents 50% of what a property with rating G consumes, which is the most common rating after E, so in Spain an energy certification E is not considered a poor rating.
What Measures Should Be Taken to Improve Rating E?
If your property has an energy certification E, we suggest implementing the following changes, always guided by specialists:
1. Upgrade Thermal Installations
Replace standard boilers with condensing boilers. If the property has a washbasin, we recommend using a DHW heat pump, a highly efficient system for heating domestic hot water whose performance exceeds 400%.
2. Modify the Façade Insulation System
Incorporating new thermal insulation (interior or exterior), improving the thermal envelope.
3. Change Window Materials
Replace with aluminum with thermal break and low-emissivity double glazing. For windows with high solar exposure, incorporate solar control in the glass to improve energy consumption and comfort.
4. Change the Climate Control System
The climate control system should be a heat pump with at least energy classification A. Inditer can provide guidance and assistance in this area.
It should be noted that with the above measures you will achieve significant energy savings; however, you must keep in mind that to achieve this you will need to make an investment.
Energy Certification in Spain
All properties must obtain energy certification. It has been a mandatory requirement since 2013, after the approval of decree 235/2013 for all public buildings with a surface area of approximately 200 square meters, whether for residential or public use.
The owner must possess the energy certification when wanting to sell or rent the property; if they do not have it, they will face a penalty.
All certificates are valid for 10 years from the moment they are issued. To obtain it, you must request the service of an authorized technician, and the document must be registered with the competent authority according to the autonomous community.
It should be mentioned that there are some buildings exempt from this energy certification, such as those protected for architectural or historical value, those used less than 16 weeks per year, those intended for worship, or those with a surface area of less than 50 square meters.