EFIEES welcomes the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), and especially the focus on worst-performing buildings and cost-efficiency, through the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), setting progressive dates to renovate class G and F buildings to a higher standard.
In reaction to this proposal, EFIEES would like to remind two key guiding principles when revising the EPBD:
1) Linking energy and environmental performance, especially at a district level is needed to ensure an optimised impact of EPBD’s tools on the performance and carbon footprint of the buildings
First, the Energy Efficiency First Principle should be recognised as a prerequisite to fuel switch on any installations, whether using renewable energy sources or not. Second, it is of utmost importance to fully ensure a non-discriminatory treatment between on-site and nearby renewable energy sources.
2) Focusing on dynamic energy performance and further promotion of effective energy management
The revision of the EPBD should not only aim at improving buildings’ energy performance through renovation actions, but should also strengthen the role of solutions allowing to keep and enhance energy performance over time, through proactive energy management. Energy management solutions should be systematically considered, as a complement to buildings’ renovation, where relevant, depending on buildings’ type, use and needs.