The European directive on energy performance of buildings (EPD) basically demands actions in 3 areas, which have to be adapted in national legislation of the EU member states by 2006. Hereinafter, these demands and their current state of development in Germany are described.
One of the most important requirements that are indicated in the EPD is that each member state shall apply am methodology of calculation of the energy performance of buildings taking into account standards or norms applied in the legislation.
- In Germany this requirement is already fulfilled. The “Energieeinsparverordnung” (EnEV) which has become effective in February 2002 is the latest national building regulation in Germany. It takes into account the influence of the building envelope and the energy systems and defines threshold values for the annual primary energy demand to cover the demand for space heating and domestic hot water. Allowing by this to balance actions on insulation and energy systems, it still sets minimum requirements for the constructional heat insulation Concerning minimum energy performance requirements, the EnEV differenciates between new and existing buildings and between different categories of buildings. To assure the adaption to technical progress the requirements are already increased in different amendments. The EnEV does not include many calculation formulas because it refers to norms where the calculation formulas are definined.
Another requirement of the EPD is that energy performance certificates shall be made available.
- In this area there is also some work done in Germany. According to the EnEV for new buildings a certificate which indicates the energy demand of a building has to be drawn up, but for existing buildings there is no regulation yet.
Apart from that there are different building labels (for example the RAL-label) which indicate energetic quality and heating demand of a building.
The EPD also requires a regular inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems.
- Concerning the inspection of boilers the directive is fulfilled to the greatest possible extend by the “1. Bundesimmissionsschutzverordnung” (1. BImSchV).
- For air conditioning systems there is no regulation of inspection yet in Germany, still new installed systems are most of the time accompanied by an offer for regular maintenance. Also it is also important to say that cooling systems im Germany play a minor role compared to other countries being located in warmer climate zones.
® Altogether there is not much more call for action needed for the implementation of the European Performance Directive in Germany.
