Developing EPCs with the NextGen EPC Cluster

For SmarterEPC this Next Gen EPC Cluster event was  a special occasion to listen and delve into  the latest outcomes from 4 EU-funded projects working on advancing the energy performance certificate (EPC): Horizon 2020 iBRoad2EPC project, crossCert Project, EPC RECAST, and #EUBSuperHub –  in the framework of the existing EU policy and funding schemes for buildings (overview offered by officers of CINEA).

Why do we need the EPBD Recast and the effects of buildings in our lives

The challenge ahead for the EU building stock is massive: the EPBD IV intends to drive a revolution in Europe to address the energy and climate goals. Among all the EU buildings built before 2000, 75% have poor energy performance.

This means a lot of negative effects: high energy consumption (and bills!), medium to low thermal comfort for the inhabitants, paired with poor indoor air quality. Old buildings are also the cause of high levels of CO2 emitted in the air; over 30% of the total EU’s energy-related GHG emissions come from buildings. These effects affect the quality of life of all citizens especially in urban, crowded areas, as well as the real estate buying and selling.

The key role of EPCs to achieve EPBD targets

Several factors can make advance EPC which is considered an important key player for meeting the EPBD targets. The latest available know-how of both academic and operators in the building sector, together with evolved digital tools that link buildings’ energy performances with data for Renovation Roadmaps, financial data, smartness of buildings (SRI), and digital building logbooks (DBL), etc. can certainly be one among the instruments that can drive the change we aim to be part of.