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Everything You Need to Know About Energy Certificates: What They Are, How They Are Issued, and Why They Matter for Your Property
An energy certificate is one of the most important documents in real estate. Not only is it required when selling or renting a property, but it can also help owners improve the energy efficiency of their spaces and reduce energy costs. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain in detail what an energy certificate is, how it is issued, what it includes, and why it is important to have one, whether you are a property owner, tenant, or buyer.
What is an Energy Certificate? An energy certificate (or energy rating) is a document that confirms the energy characteristics of a building, i.e., its efficiency in terms of energy consumption. It is issued by an authorized person who, based on an energy audit, collects necessary data about the property, such as insulation, heating system, windows, wall quality, air conditioning, and other factors affecting energy consumption.
The certificate clearly shows how much energy the property consumes, what its weaknesses are, and what measures should be taken to improve energy efficiency. Through the energy certificate, owners can get valuable information about where to reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing maintenance costs while preserving the environment.
How is an Energy Certificate Issued? An energy certificate is issued by an authorized person, typically an energy consultant or certified engineer, who conducts the energy audit of the property. The process of issuing the certificate includes the following steps:
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Data Collection: The expert collects basic information about the property such as year of construction, type of windows, type of heating system, quality of insulation, and other technical data.
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Energy Audit: The audit analyzes the energy characteristics of the property, such as the amount of energy required for heating, cooling, and other energy needs.
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Report Creation: Based on the collected data, the expert calculates the energy rating of the property (from A+ to G) and prepares a report.
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Issuance of Certificate: The certificate is then issued and registered in the Ministry of Construction and Spatial Planning's registry, and it is valid for 10 years.
What Information is Included in an Energy Certificate? An energy certificate contains all the key information about the energy efficiency of a property, including:
- Energy Rating: The property is classified in an energy rating based on its energy efficiency (from A+ to G, with A+ being the best rating).
- Energy Information: The consumption of energy for heating, cooling, water heating, and other energy needs.
- Improvement Recommendations: Recommendations for improvements that could reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and reduce CO2 emissions (e.g., installing better windows, changing the heating system, increasing insulation).
- Issuer Information: The name of the authorized person who created the certificate and the issuance date.
Why is an Energy Certificate Important? An energy certificate is important for several reasons, and among the most significant are:
- Reducing Energy Costs: By using the recommendations from the certificate, you can improve your property's energy efficiency, thereby reducing energy costs such as heating and cooling.
- Legal Requirements: In many countries, including Croatia, an energy certificate is required when selling or renting a property. Considering energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important due to global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and preserve the environment.
- Increasing Property Value: Properties with better energy ratings can be more attractive to buyers because they offer lower maintenance costs and a smaller environmental impact. This can increase the market value of the property.
- Improved Living Comfort: Energy-efficient properties offer better living comfort because they maintain a stable internal temperature throughout the year, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
- Environmental Impact: Improving energy efficiency reduces the negative environmental impact by lowering CO2 emissions and other harmful gases.
What Are the Costs of Energy Certification? The costs of energy certification depend on several factors, including the size of the property, its type, age, and the heating and cooling systems in place. Based on the size, the cost of the energy audit can range from 300 to 500 EUR for an apartment of 50 to 100 m², including the energy audit fee.
If multiple owners of apartments in the same building wish to certify their properties, it is recommended to certify the entire building, as the cost per apartment will then be lower.
When is an Energy Certificate Required? An energy certificate is mandatory in the following cases:
- When Selling a Property: The seller must provide an energy certificate necessary for transferring ownership.
- When Renting a Property: Tenants must be informed about the energy efficiency of the property.
- For New Buildings: For new buildings or those that have undergone major renovations, issuing an energy certificate is mandatory.
How to Obtain an Energy Certificate? To obtain an energy certificate, you need to hire an authorized expert who will conduct the energy audit of your property. After the audit is completed, the expert will create and issue the certificate, which will then be registered with the Ministry of Construction and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Croatia.
Conclusion An energy certificate is a useful tool for improving the energy efficiency of your property, reducing energy costs, and increasing its market value. If you are planning to sell, buy, or rent a property, the energy certificate becomes mandatory, and by possessing it, you not only meet legal requirements but also contribute to environmental preservation.
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Considering the growing importance of sustainability and energy efficiency in all aspects of life, the energy certificate is becoming an indispensable document for every responsible property owner or buyer.