Energy Audit

An Energy audit places buildings in order

Consumers can compare the energy efficiency of buildings using energy auditing. An energy audit details a building’s required heating energy, appliance or premises’ electricity, energy for cooling, and based on these the proportionate gross figure for energy efficiency. In this way it is possible to determine a building’s energy class, graded from A-G. A "class A" property consumes the least energy, while a "class G" property consumes the most.

Conventional buildings are generally class D

A building gets the best energy audit when it has good surface heating insulation (outer walls, windows, roof and floors), airtight and ventilated heating storage. According to the building regulations of 2008, a conventional building is usually placed in class D.

Energy auditing for new buildings is based on the calculative estimate of routine consumption from existing construction certificates. The energy audit of a small dwelling is always based on calculative consumption. The type of heating a building has does not affect the energy class it is given.

When is energy auditing needed?

All new buildings require an energy audit. The basis for energy auditing is the EU directive on the energy efficiency of buildings. The audit has to be drawn up when applying for a construction permit and provided by the building’s chief architect.

• From the start of 2009 an energy audit was required of all existing properties or their premises being sold or rented.
• For small houses and no more than six-flat housing companies the energy audit intended for small dwellings is voluntary.
• Energy audits for other buildings apply to large blocks of flats and service properties.
• In housing companies the energy audit is included in the housing manager certificate.

 
The setting for the energy audits of buildings is the EU directive on the energy efficiency of buildings. In Finland the law and statute on the energy efficiency of buildings came into force on 1 January 2008.