Directive 2002/91/EC on the Energy Performance of Buildings (the EPBD) requires several different measures to achieve prudent and rational use of energy resources and to reduce the environmental impact of the energy use in buildings.
This is to be accomplished by increased energy efficiency in both new and existing buildings. One tool for this will be the application by Member States of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings and for large existing buildings that are subject to major renovation (EPBD Articles 4, 5 and 6). Other tools will be energy certification of buildings (Article 7) and inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems (Articles 8 and 9).
A basic requirement for measures in Articles 4, 5, 6 and 7 is the existence of a general framework for a methodology of calculation of the total energy performance of buildings, as set out in Article 3 and the Annex to the Directive.
This technical report describes the European standards (ENs) that are intended to support the EPBD by providing the calculation methods and associated material to obtain the overall energy performance of a building.