Objectives and context of the directive

The recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to achieve a zero-emissions building stock by 2050.

Zero emission buildings are those considered to have very high energy performance, meeting the following cumulative criteria:

• They require little or no energy,
• They generate no on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels,
• They produce no or very low operational greenhouse gas emissions.

Provisions concerning parking lots

The directive introduces new provisions for charging stations and parking facilities for bicycles in parking lots linked to new, substantially renovated or existing buildings.

Some provisions overlap with national law, and the differences are shown in the tables below:

TABLE 1

‍

* major renovation: renovation of a building where the total cost of renovation involving the building envelope or the building's technical systems exceeds 25% of the value of the building (excluding the land on which it stands), OR more than 25% of the surface area of the building envelope is renovated. Member states must choose which of these two definitions they adopt.

‍

TABLE 2

‍

‍

‍

‍

Technical building systems

Member States must provide for measures to optimize the energy use of technical building systems*.

* technical building system: technical equipment of a building or building unit for space heating, space cooling, ventilation, domestic hot water production, integrated lighting, building automation and control, renewable energy production and on-site energy storage, or a combination of several of these systems, including systems using energy from renewable sources.

Under national law, commercial buildings have been required to install a building automation and control system (BACS) since EU Directive 2010/31 was transposed into national law in 2020.

The directive introduces additional provisions for BACS. The system must be capable of monitoring indoor environmental quality by May 29, 2026.

In addition, non-residential buildings with building management systems must be equipped with automatic lighting control systems operating in appropriate zones and capable of detecting presence, as follows:

• Rated output greater than 290kW, no later than December 31, 2027,
• Useful rated output greater than 70kW, no later than December 31, 2029.

In addition, heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems, including all combinations thereof, with an effective rated output of over 70 kW must be inspected at least every 5 years. This frequency is reduced to 3 years for systems with an effective rated output of over 290 kW.

This inspection includes :

- An assessment of the efficiency and sizing of the heating and cooling generator(s) and their main components in relation to the building requirements;

- Where appropriate, an assessment of the system's ability to operate at different temperatures to ensure greater efficiency, in particular through the design requirements for thermal power generation, temperature and flow, while ensuring safe operation;

- Where applicable, a basic assessment of the feasibility of reducing the use of fossil fuels on site, for example by integrating renewable energy, modifying energy sources, or replacing or adapting existing systems;

- Where a ventilation system is installed, an assessment of its sizing and its ability to optimize performance under typical or average operating conditions relevant to the specific and current use of the building;

- It takes into account the system's ability to optimize its performance under normal or average operating conditions, using available energy-saving technologies, and under changing conditions due to various uses.

Zero emission buildings

All new buildings must be zero-emission by January^1, 2030.

Life cycle assessments of buildings must use the Global Warming Potential (GWP) indicator and be included in the energy performance diagnosis according to the following deadlines:

• From January^1, 2028 for all new buildings with a floor area of more than 1,000^{m2 ;}
• From January^1, 2030 for all new buildings.

Phasing out fossil fuels

Member States must introduce measures to end the use of fossil fuels for heating and cooling, and to phase out fossil fuel boilers by 2040.

Solar energy in buildings

Member States must promote the deployment of solar energy in buildings, according to the following timetable:

• For new non-residential buildings with a usable floor area greater than 250^{m2 :} no later than December 31, 2026;
• For existing buildings with a usable floor area of more than ^500m2 when the building undergoes a major renovation* or an action requiring an administrative permit for building renovations, work on the roof: no later than December 31, 2027;
• For new covered parking lots adjacent to a building: no later than December 31, 2029.

Transposition into national law

As a reminder, a directive is not directly applicable. It must be transposed into national law by each member state.

Member States must transpose this directive and draw up a national building renovation plan by May 29, 2026.

Directive 2024/1275 repeals EU Directive 2010/31 on May 31, 2026.