Improving Dwellings by Enhancing Actions on Labelling of the EPBD
When an existing dwelling changes owner or tenant, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires an energy performance certificate to be issued. This certificate includes a label and/or recommendations of cost-effective energy saving measures. Prior experiences show that even with labels not all cost-effective saving measures are carried out. A risk exists that a large part of the significant energy saving potential in existing dwellings will not be realised under the EPBD in its present form.
The IEE IDEAL EPBD project analysed consumer behaviour, barriers and supportive policy instruments in 10 different countries. It provided empirical evidence and monitoring by applying in-depth interviews and electronic questionnaires and developed policy action plans to change consumer behaviour related to energy labels.
Results
- New insights into consumer behaviour to uncover the relationship between labelling and home improvements
- A comparison of the effects of different policymeasures in EU member states, giving insight in what policy details work best
- Policy recommendations for improvement of the EPBD
- Information for stakeholders regarding effective labelling
- Information for the general public regarding labels
Lessons learned
- Preliminary lessons learnt: Results of the literature review show that households do not always act rational and that financial savings are not the main driver of behavioural change. Important influential factors for taking energy saving measures are financial issues, social context, information channels and their quality, decision making context, perceptions of home renovation needs, perceptions of environmental issues, and life events (for instance moving) and routines.
- The most commonly reported public policy measures in use were ones relating to information dissemination and partial public funding of energy efficiency retrofits. Regulations, ecological taxation, subsidies for renewable and R&D activities were also commonly cited. The implementation of the EPBD was complete or close to completion in all the countries.
- Noteworthy is that little attention is given to specific training efforts to improve the skills of the people implementing the energy efficiency improvements, even though the lack of skills was a commonly cited barrier to further improvements.
Project duration: September 2008 to August 2011.
