A recent Techem market survey reveals significant gaps in knowledge about energy performance certificates. While business customers are comparatively well informed (87% of respondents said they felt well or very well informed), private landlords in particular have a serious need for information, especially regarding the legal framework and legislative changes.
The energy services provider’s survey makes clear that a large proportion of private landlords (57%) would like more information about how often an energy performance certificate must be renewed (56%), precisely when it is required (55%), which documents are needed to produce one (53%) and the effects of legislative changes (52%). Many are also unclear about the consequences of not having a certificate, the usual cost of obtaining one or the different types of energy performance certificate.
Landlords face substantial fines if the correct energy performance certificate is missing
An energy performance certificate can be issued as either a consumption certificate or a demand certificate. A consumption certificate is based on residents’ actual energy consumption over a period of three years and is relatively straightforward to produce because it uses existing data. A demand certificate, by contrast, is produced from a detailed analysis of the building fabric, heating system and other factors. It provides information about the building’s theoretical energy demand, irrespective of how it is used. Although a demand certificate involves more work to prepare, it offers a more objective assessment of the building’s energy performance. Landlords who fail to meet the statutory certificate obligations can face substantial fines of up to 10,000 euros, even if they were unaware of them.
Changes under the Building Energy Act (GEG): new rules for energy performance certificates have applied since 2021
It is striking that a large proportion of private landlords are not sufficiently informed about recent legal developments, particularly changes that came into force in May 2021 under the Building Energy Act (GEG). These tightened the requirements for collecting data for energy performance certificates, clarified evidence obligations and made photographic documentation of the building mandatory in certain cases. The aim was to improve the accuracy of the information and document the building’s actual condition more precisely. Since then, standard values may be used only under certain conditions in order to assure the quality and informative value of the energy performance certificate.
“The energy performance certificate plays a central role in the context of the energy transition. It makes it possible to present a property’s energy performance transparently and identify potential for renovation and energy-efficiency measures. This can not only increase the property’s value, but also encourage measures that can reduce operating costs over the long term,” comments Nicolai Kuß, CSO of Techem.
Dynamic market environment created by strong competition and high willingness to switch
Disclosing energy demand creates incentives to invest in energy-efficient technologies and promotes awareness of sustainable resource use. The market for producing energy performance certificates is characterised by numerous providers from different sectors, including metering service providers, energy consultancies, energy services providers and online suppliers. Strong competitive pressure combined with a high willingness among landlords to switch – 69 per cent of private landlords showed considerable openness to changing provider, rising to 84 per cent among business customers – creates a highly competitive, dynamic market environment.
“The results of our survey have made clear that landlords urgently need reliable information and greater transparency in order to meet their statutory obligations relating to energy performance certificates“, stresses Nicolai Kuß.