We use more than 40 % of energy consumption for cooling and heating the buildings, which value is continuously increasing affected by climate changes. Practical experiences show that the most of the costs are coming from the heating at family houses, while in case of office buildings and larger properties these costs are due to cooling. The EU-directives and national legal regulations aim at reducing the energy consumption and CO2 emission.
The certification is a new tool to encourage more rational energy utilization, since it compares the actual energy consumption of building to a building of same shape, size and function that meets exactly the requirements. In comparison with it, the actual building is categorized into class from "A+" to "I" where the "C" class level means the minimum requirement. The certification can be prepared to the entire building, but of course, to a single flat, too.
The required values are depending on the surface/volume ratio of the building and its function. In other words, practically, so many buildings, so many value of requirements. A number defined in simple index (i.e. kWh/ m³) would not be expressive at all, it would be the same like the fuel consumption of a car without giving the type, when we say, it consumes 8 liter/100 km: but this consumption can be too much in case of a small car and very good in case of a jeep. Thus, all buildings should be measured „in their own scales”. From among the classes indicated with letters, the „A” class represents the highest quality; the „C” represents the quality that meets the requirements of the new regulations. All other lower classes show how much our building is „energy sink”.
If the energetic class of building is below „C” category, measures for energy-saving as well as renewal and upgrading works increasing energy efficiency on longer-term are recommended. Our company, the HGD Ltd. is ready to put forward a proposal for you how you could reduce the energy consumption of your building.
The aim is to inform the client about the possibilities of increasing the energy efficiency. The proposal may involve the fact how the specific primary energy demand of the building changes when realizing the given proposals individually or collectively, respectively, which energetic classification the building is qualified for. The proposal must be focused on a cost-effective solution bearing the technical condition and a real feasibility in mind. Implementing the proposal is not a part of proofing the facts stipulated in the certificate.
The energy performance certificate is not simply a piece of paper we receive. The clients are given both operating and upgrading advices and when they are realized the energy consumption and overhead costs can be reduced. The obtained certificate is valid for 10 years. For that reason it is worthwhile and necessary to consider the energetic quality of the building already in the design phase! Through the required modifications of the structures and engineering systems the potential problems can be remedied during the design period since all of the built-in structures should meet the requirements.