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The latest revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is more than just a regulatory update, it signals a structural shift in how Europe approaches sustainability in the built environment. Our expert, Mikael Börjesson, Future Solutions & Public Affairs Director at Swegon, explains how the directive’s extended scope elevates indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and emphasises how energy efficiency no longer can compromise a good indoor climate for the people inside.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has undergone a significant revision, one that the building and real estate industry would probably describe as major, or possibly ground breaking even. The initial EPBD 2002 was amended in 2010 and 2018, as part of the Clean energy package. The thereafter modified directive required all member states to develop long-term building renovation strategies. Following that, was a recast requiring all new buildings in the EU to achieve zero-emission as of 2030, however, all new public buildings should reach zero-emission as of 2027.
These revisions have mainly focused on energy efficiency. The latest changes, stated in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2024/1275, expands the legislative scope in a way that indicates a broader understanding of sustainability. It introduces legislative requirements for Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and establishes more detailed inspection obligations. Meaning, measures to reduce energy use can no longer compromise the indoor climate and the people inside.
Another notable change is the widened definition of “technical building systems”. Previously the description was limited to heating, cooling and ventilation but going forward it now covers a wide range of technologies, including:
- On-site renewable energy generation, for instance thermal systems like solar thermal etc, not only electricity.
- Energy storage as in batteries, thermal storage systems and aquifer thermal energy storage.
- Building automation and control systems (BACS) with new functionalities.
Zooming in on IEQ
Indoor environmental quality has so far served as a balancing concept in the debate and among activities related to energy dependency. Stakeholders across the industry, academia and health institutions have for long teamed up around the facts and figures clearly indicating how indoor climate factors such as temperature and humidity directly affect productivity and well-being..
With the latest recast of the EPBD legislation, IEQ is formally defined for the first time. This as:
“The result of an assessment of the conditions inside a building that influence the health and well-being of its occupants, based on parameters such as temperature, humidity, ventilation rate, and presence of contaminants.”
However, this is more than a definition. In practice, it signifies a shift, IEQ is no longer a concept of discussion it is a regulatory requirement. Monitoring and control of indoor air quality from certain parameters will be mandatory, and both new-build and renovation projects must prioritise measures that secure a healthy and comfortable indoor climate. In many ways, this underscores what research and forward-progressive stakeholders have pointed at for years, a joint advancement in energy efficiency and well-being.
Inspection criteria
The previous principles for follow-up has also changed and gone from a relatively narrow scope to an expanded that includes both ventilation and combined systems, new thresholds, frequency requirements and inspection parameters.
- Threshold: minimum 70 kW as the sum of a building’s heating and cooling capacity.
- Frequency: At least every 5 years for smaller buildings and every 3 years for larger.
- Additional elements for assessment:
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- Indoor environmental quality
- Hydronic balancing
- Potential for low-temperature operation
- Integration of renewables
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These requirements are not simply about compliance. They create a framework that ensure that the transition to low-carbon buildings does not overlook the human indoor comfort perspective.
Another future
This cannot be a surprise for the industry. The built environment accounts for 40% of the global CO2 emissions, and the joint focus on energy efficiency and indoor climate strengthens stakeholders in the industry to consider the many aspects of sustainability. At the same time, this is thought of as a spark to accelerate the development of new products and systems, particularly in the field of building automation and smart controls. Digitalisation overall will be the primary means to ensure both a reduced energy dependency and an optimal indoor climate for the people inside.
