Analysis and standardization of energy performance certificates and smart readiness indicators in the EU: Results from surveys and interviews with key stakeholders

In the European Union (EU), there is a significant gap in understanding characteristics and performance of the existing building stock. A central element of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) for evaluating building performance is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). In 2018, the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) was introduced to complement the EPC. Despite their potential, EPCs have not yet fully achieved their intended impact on energy savings, and the reasons for this have not been fully analysed. This research gap is addressed by the EU-funded LIFE project “tunES”, which unites seven national energy agencies from EU countries and four technical partners from academia, research, and consultancy. This project focuses on analysing and standardizing EPCs and SRIs. The consortium structured its efforts into five key policy development areas: (1) Understanding EPC, (2) Upgrading EPC, (3) Databases and Tools, (4) SRI Development and Deployment, and (5) Integration of Instruments. Following these areas and EU Better Regulation Guidelines (BRG), a survey and interviews were conducted among key stakeholders and experts in participating countries to assess the current state of EPCs and SRIs: 236 respondents filled out the survey and 49 informants were interviewed. The results highlighted the need for enhanced clarity, updated methodologies, and improved integration of instruments to drive future energy efficiency initiatives. National databases of EPCs and SRIs are valued, but enhancements in methodology, comprehensibility, and user value are needed. Improved professional training and SRI-EPC integration are crucial, with regional differences indicating best practice examples for EU-level standardization.