Energy performance certification indicates your building's energy efficiency and is legally required when selling or leasing a property. An energy performance certificate documents the energy rating, providing a clear overview of the building's energy standard.
Energy performance certification is a comprehensive assessment of a building's energy standard and efficiency. It assigns an energy rating from A to G, where A signifies very low energy consumption and the use of modern, energy-efficient solutions, while G indicates high consumption and significant potential for improvement.
The energy rating is calculated based on several factors, including:
Building's energy consumption per square meter (measured in kWh/m²)
Heating system and energy sources, such as heat pump, district heating, or electricity
Ventilation, insulation, and airtightness of the building envelope
Building's technical standard, such as windows, lighting, and control systems
An energy performance certificate is the official document confirming a building's energy performance rating. The certificate displays both the energy rating (A–G) and the heating rating, which indicates the proportion of the building's heating derived from renewable energy sources.
Once an energy performance certification is completed, the energy performance certificate is issued by a qualified energy advisor and registered digitally. The certificate is valid for 10 years but should be updated if significant alterations are made to the building – for instance, after upgrading ventilation, insulation, windows, or heating systems.
Energy performance certification and the energy performance certificate are not merely a mark of quality – they are a legal requirement according to the energy performance regulations. You must possess a valid energy performance certificate:
When selling or leasing a building, house, or apartment
For commercial buildings exceeding 1000 m² of heated usable floor area (BRA)
For public buildings accessible to the general public
The certificate must be readily accessible to buyers, tenants, and users – and the energy rating must always be disclosed in the building's marketing.
A correct and updated energy performance certificate documents the building's energy standard, demonstrates compliance with legal requirements, and provides a competitive advantage in the market – especially as tenants and investors increasingly prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability.
As much as 40% of Norway's energy consumption is attributed to buildings. Operating an energy-inefficient commercial building can lead to significantly high energy costs – substantial expenses that can often be avoided. Inefficient energy use also has an unnecessary impact on our environment and nature, and we provide information on how to mitigate this. The law requires that an energy performance certificate and energy rating be presented upon the rental and sale of buildings, and that this is included in associated marketing.
Building owners are responsible for possessing an energy performance certificate and ensuring the accuracy of its information.
Commercial buildings with more than 1000m² of heated gross floor area (GFA) must always possess a valid energy performance certificate. When improvements are made to the building that may affect the energy rating, the energy performance rating must be re-evaluated to ensure the energy performance certificate accurately reflects the building's current state.
A favorable energy grade indicates whether the building is energy-efficient and that it is easy to maintain a stable indoor temperature. A good energy grade translates to lower electricity bills.
Commercial and public buildings are required to achieve a minimum energy class E by 2027 and energy class D by 2030.
In this article from Energihuset, we will explain what energy performance rating entails, why it is important, how you can find the energy rating for your property, what benefits it offers, and which regulations apply.
Higher and unpredictable electricity prices indicate that the rental market will increasingly be influenced by the building's energy grade. Tenants are concerned with a building's energy rating as it reflects its operating costs.
We have listed the most frequently asked questions regarding energy mapping.
The EU Taxonomy is a framework designed to foster a common understanding of which investments are sustainable through defined environmental objectives. The purpose of the Taxonomy is to facilitate the identification of genuinely green and sustainable projects, thereby accelerating our transition to a sustainable society in line with EU goals.
The Taxonomy Regulation came into force in Norway on January 1, 2023.
A regulation signifies that the legislation is uniform across national borders and cannot be adapted to national laws.
Initially, the Taxonomy's reporting requirements will apply to larger listed companies with over 500 employees. These companies must report the proportion of their business – in terms of revenue, investments, and costs – that is considered green according to the Taxonomy.
As a consequence of large listed companies having this reporting requirement, we observe that many suppliers to these large companies are compelled to comply with the Taxonomy. This, combined with pressure from other stakeholders, means that most commercial enterprises will be affected by it going forward. Therefore, it will be beneficial for businesses to prepare for this now, ensuring that routines and systems are in place when other stakeholders request this information.
Norway supports the EU's efforts to promote sustainable products. This commitment is established and further detailed in the national strategy for a green, circular economy from 2021, stating that Norway will work to ensure sustainability requirements are imposed throughout product value chains.
An energy performance certificate is required for the sale or rental of residential and commercial buildings, as well as for larger buildings with high public footfall.
The energy grade is determined based on the building's energy demand, insulation level, ventilation, heating, and other factors influencing energy consumption.
The energy performance rating indicates the building's energy efficiency (A-G scale), while the heating energy source rating shows the proportion of renewable energy used for heating, with color codes from green (renewable) to red (non-renewable).
Costs can vary; basic energy certification is often free, whereas advanced energy certification performed by an energy consultant may incur a fee.
We would be delighted to hear from you.
Skip to content
