Energy certificate of a building – why is it worth knowing?

For over a year, since April 2023, certain homeowners and apartment owners have been required to obtain an energy performance certificate for their buildings. The main role of this document is to determine the annual energy demand of a given property. Are you wondering if this obligation applies to your apartment or single-family home? Or maybe you are buying a property and want to know its energy performance certificate? Check what the document includes, when its preparation is necessary, and why it is worth knowing its content!

What is an energy performance certificate?

The energy performance certificate for buildings was introduced into Polish law as a result of implementing EU legislation. The document specifies the annual energy demand necessary to meet the needs related to property use, including heating, ventilation, domestic hot water preparation, air conditioning, and, in the case of non-residential buildings, also lighting.

The energy performance certificate is designed to help future owners or tenants estimate the costs associated with using the property. Additionally, the document allows for identifying weak points in the energy efficiency of the building, which is useful for planned thermal modernization. An additional benefit is the expected increase in awareness regarding energy conservation.

What does the energy performance certificate include?

The new law precisely defines how the energy performance certificate should look and what it should include. In addition to a photo of the property and basic data regarding the address, area, or year of construction, the certificate contains key indicators related to energy efficiency, which include:

• The Eu coefficient related to annual demand for usable energy;
• The Ek coefficient indicating annual demand for final energy;
• The share of renewable energy sources in Ek;
• The Ep coefficient, which is the annual demand for non-renewable primary energy;
• The level of carbon dioxide emissions.

Moreover, the energy certificate of a building presents the amount of energy or energy carrier consumed by the building for heating, domestic hot water, lighting, and cooling installations. The certificate also provides information about the building's volume, indoor temperatures, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting systems, and domestic hot water. At the end of the document, there are notes and recommendations on how to reduce the energy demand of a given building.

The energy certificate assigns the property to one of seven energy classes. The highest class, A, includes buildings with a positive energy balance, which generate more energy than they consume. This is possible through the use of renewable sources. At the opposite end of this classification is class G, which includes the most energy-consuming buildings. According to the EU directive EPBD, such properties will be designated for decommissioning or thorough thermal modernization.

When is the energy certificate necessary?

It is worth noting that contrary to appearances, the energy certificate of a building is intended not only for single-family houses and larger buildings but also for apartments. Are you wondering if you need this document? Check in which situations it is mandatory:

When the energy certificate of a building is necessary:

• Building a House – as an individual investor, you must attach an energy performance certificate to the notification of completion of construction or to the application for occupancy permit. This requirement does not apply if the built-up area does not exceed 70 m².
• Public Administration Buildings – if their authorities occupy more than 250 m² of property.
• Sale of a Building or Premises – possessing a certificate, some information contained in it must be included in the advertisement.
• Renting – the future landlord must present the energy performance certificate to the potential tenant, which also applies to apartments.
• Buildings Put into Use Before 2009 – the energy performance certificate must be prepared after its thermal modernization.

Selling or renting real estate without an energy certificate carries a penalty of 1,000 to 5,000 PLN for individuals. Legal entities can be fined up to 60,000 PLN for this violation.

How to obtain an energy certificate for a building or apartment?

To get an energy certificate for a building, you need to contact a specialist who will conduct the necessary audit. Only those holding a certificate as an energy auditor, having passed an exam before the Technical Inspection Authority, have the appropriate qualifications. The company conducting the audit will ask you for a list of documents required to prepare the certificate. The cost of the service is based on the individual pricing set by the auditor.

The importance of energy efficiency in new apartments

The emphasis on increasing energy efficiency in buildings is not accidental. Just look at new apartments in Szczecin and other Polish cities, which feature significantly better thermal insulation compared to older buildings. A good example of this is the Nowa Północ estate, which boasts not only excellent thermal insulation but also a range of energy-saving solutions that significantly reduce the cost of maintaining the premises.