Spanish energy rating labelling of buildings and its cost implications

Abstract

Under the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Member States must develop methods to certify energy efficiency of buildings. Calener-VYP v1.0 is the only Spanish official tool to certify a high energy efficiency performance of residential buildings, through the general option. It has two indicators implemented, CO 2 emissions and primary energy consumption. However, in the process of energy rating a building, only the CO 2 emissions indicator is considered. The economic consequences of this are studied, by means of simulating real properties with different construction assemblies and building services in the twelve Spanish climatic zones and calculating their costs. The results show that having a better energy rate in Calener VYP does not necessarily entail a lower consumption cost. Therefore, it is necessary to include the annual primary energy consumption indicator, because its absence involves that costs cannot be used as an argument when promoting energy efficiency among users.