Implementation of EC Directives

Implementation of EC Directives

Country

Sweden

#

Name and reference of measure

Type of measure

Responsible organ

Existing or planned?

Energy declaration of buildings - for energy efficiency and

Energy deklarationer - Methods, design, data and expertise

National Board of Housing, Building and Planning

Existing

Quotations from the measure

The EU Directive (2002/91/EC) on the energy performance of buildings includes a number of major actions with energy declarations as a key component. Sweden has done the implementation through two measures “Energy declaration of buildings - for energy efficiency (SOU 2004:109)” and “Energy declaration - Methods, design, data and expertise (SOU 2005:67)”

EC Directive requires a basic framework which comes into force no later than 4 January 2006 - With reference to the lack of number of inspectors could be postponed until the declaration of more than 4 January 2009

For the period 2006-2008 and the proposed transitional simplified procedures that will allow continued development of methods and tools, while strategically selected buildings are declared - Multi-family houses and buildings with premises for public activities prioritized

On 1 January 2009 a fully functional activities were in place for energy declarations in Sweden

The energy considered is delivered energy, where different energy sources may be weighted, but this is not decided so far - a CO2 indicator can be added if basic data exists.

The general rule for which buildings should be declared is all buildings which are built, sold or rented / leased in condominium after the rules has come into force- In addition, all buildings larger than 1000 sq.m with premises for public activities

There are exemptions such as

· Stand-alone buildings with a floor area of less than 50 sq.m.

· Temporary buildings which are intended to be used less than 2 years

· Holiday homes for 1-2 families

· Agricultural buildings

· Buildings for industrial and similar activities

· Churches and other buildings for religious purposes

An energy declaration shall contain the following information:

· A energy performance of the building based upon a national calculation method

· One or more reference values, such as current legal standards and Benchmarks for similar houses

· Must be accompanied by recommendations for cost-effective improvement

· Energy Declaration is valid for a maximum of 10 years

· And shall be established in an independent manner by qualified and / or accredited experts

The methods to determine energy performance depends whether it is a new building or an existing one. For new buildings a theoretical calculation for the verification of the requirements of the “BBR” (Building code). Declaration established in connection with registration. The calculation must be valid for 2 years after completion of building, 5 years for buildings in service sector.

For existing buildings, the rules depend on the size and use. Stricter demands the larger the building. For small houses a theoretical calculation of all energy (including household energy) during normal use of the building are made. In apartment buildings a calculation based on measured, normal-corrected values (excluding household energy) is stipulated. Buildings and facilities in service sector and offices calculations based on measured, corrected normal values is done (including energy activities – default values may be used).

Some common conditions included in the declaration procedure have been decided.

· Compliance with the CEN standards sought

· The area measured for temperature-controlled rooms (> 10 degrees C) to the climate inside the screen (Garage excluded)

· Minimum calculation according to EC directive is followed

· No recommendations for cost-effective improvement that could degrade the indoor environment are allowed

Administrative rules

The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning hold a registration registry for Energy Declarations. Property Owner is responsible for energy declaration is available at sales/rental of the house or leasing/sale of the condominium - Sanction fee corresponding to the cost to set up declaration when failing to do so. Broker of the premises will work for the seller to provide the declaration before transfer - Description of the property shall contain reference to prepared energy declaration. The regulatory bodies (municipalities) have access to certain information in the registry -- Energy Experts, Energy Authority and Statistics Sweden, and property owners with larger stock of buildings have a direct access to the registry.

Swedish energy statistics, monitoring and evaluation of the declarations and the registry is done as follows. The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning sign an electronic version of the declaration of energy, stored in a shared database - The database builds up energy statistics and can be used for monitoring, evaluation and further development

Energy declarations of buildings began in January 2009. If a building is sold on within 10 years from the time when the energy declaration was made, no new certification is required Owners of rented housing and cooperative housing (i.e. mainly multi-dwelling buildings and buildings containing nonresidential premises) will also have to ensure there is an energy declaration for the building if it is not more than 10 years old. Energy declarations for multi-dwelling buildings came into force in 2008. Finally, the most recent energy declaration must be available in a clearly visible place in the building.

Information and education:

Over the years a number of campaigns for energy efficiency have been applied. In 2007, in connection with the EU Directive (2002/91/EC) on the energy performance of buildings, and the EU Directive (2006/32/EC) on energy end-use efficiency and energy services, an energy efficiency home consumer campaign was launched in Sweden.

The campaign provided information about energy declarations and addresses both individual homeowners and owners of multi-dwelling buildings and premises as well as other relevant key players (Swedish Energy Agency, 2008). The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (www.naturvardsverket.se) also published an information and educational campaign called Climate Facts (Klimatfakta) in 2008. It provides informative packages of facts, and questions and answers about climate change. All material is free for use, and can be used to create training programs and presentations.

The Purpose of the measure

In long run the purpose is to increase the efficiency in the building stock

Impact of Measure

Using the delivered energy as a baseline for the declaration the resource efficiency is lost. The rules favours house installation compared to installation in a District Heating system.

Effectiveness of the measure

There is a large risk for suboptimation.