Improving dwellings by enhancing actions on labeling for the EPBD (BBR)

The EPBD requires an energy performance certificate for existing dwellings when they change of owner/tenant, including a label and recommendations of cost-effective energy saving measures. No obligation exists to carry out these saving measures. The basic idea of certificates is that household’s decision processes are based on financial savings. Experiences with prior labelling/auditing programmes show that not all cost-effective saving measures are carried out. If these earlier experiences indicate the effectiveness of the EPBD, a risk exists that a large part of the energy saving potential in existing dwellings will not be realised under the EPBD. This is especially relevant as existing dwellings are responsible for major part of the saving potential in dwellings. IDEAL EPBD will analyse consumer behaviour, barriers and policy instruments in different countries in order to develop action plans to change consumer behaviour and to optimize the effect of the EPBD .