Shorouk Express
Within the next five years, you may have to make significant improvements to your home in order to meet the new minimum energy rating by 2023.
Starting on January 1st 2030, a new legal requirement for any purchase or rental transaction will come into force.
Properties are currently required to have an energy certificate, but as of this date, they will also have to have a minimum energy rating of E.
This regulation is being driven by the European Energy Efficiency Directive, which states that homes entering the market, regardless of their purpose, must have this rating.
READ ALSO: How to find out your home’s energy rating in Spain
In 2033, the efficiency will be raised again to a minimum rating of D.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the EU and it is estimated that more than a third of total emissions come from buildings, many of which do not meet sustainable energy efficiency standards.
For homeowners, particularly those who have older homes, this new regulation poses a significant challenge.
Example of an energy efficiency certificate in Spain.
What does this mean for my home?
If your home does not achieve at least an E rating by 2030, you will not legally be able to sell or rent out your property in Spain.
It means that major investments will be required in renovations that improve thermal insulation, air conditioning systems and the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels. One of the most popular ways of doing this is to install double glazing on your windows or even thermal glass.
Some properties may even need structural changes that help reduce the property’s overall energy consumption.
Advertisement
It is estimated that around 85 percent of the Spanish homes need some type of renovation to meet the 2030 and 2033 requirements.
According to recent data, almost 30 percent of homes in Spain are over 70 years old, and another 30 percent were built between 50 and 69 years ago.
What happens if I don’t meet the E energy rating standards in time?
Failure to comply with this regulation could result in significant financial penalties. In the case of rentals, for example, landlords who don’t meet the new rating could face fines that could reach up to €60,000.
What can I do to find out my energy rating and how to improve it?
To obtain an energy efficiency certificate in Spain, you must hire a qualified technician. This could be an architect or specialised engineer you hire to visit your property to assess factors such as orientation and energy consumption.
Using this data, they will create the certificate with the rating from A to G, as well as recommendations for improvement.
Advertisement
Once issued, the certificate must be registered with the competent authority in each region. Only then will the official energy label be issued.
Getting a professional round to do this and issue the certificate costs between €50 and €200, depending on the type of property and region, and it is valid for 10 years.
The Spanish government and the European Union are working on financial aid programmes and subsidies to help facilitate energy renovation, many of which are already in place.
Each region and even each municipality has different measures in place, so you can find out from your town hall if there are any in your area and what requisites you need to apply.
Most of the time, it will mean local authorities cover a certain percentage of the work and you will need to cover the rest. Some of the grants are subject to tax as well, while others aren’t.
These will hopefully allow you adapt your home without excessive costs.
