Energy certification

What is the PEB certificate?

The PEB (Energy Performance of Buildings) certificate constitutes an energy identity card for the building. It describes its energy performance, for a standardized use and climate, by means of numerical or alphabetical indicators. More simply, this classification system is appreciably comparable to the energy label of household appliances.

Concretely, this energy expertise is carried out by means of a defined calculation method. This implies a survey of the characteristics of the building linked to insulation on the one hand, and to systems consuming energy on the other hand (heating, domestic hot water, ventilation, auxiliaries, solar energy systems, etc.).

Once the data has been collected, they are compiled in software in order to determine the energy “rating” of the building being appraised. The PEB certificate is then drawn up and sent to the owner.

The objective of such a classification is to allow prospective buyers and tenants to be able to compare residential buildings with one another objectively, from an energy point of view.

In practice, article 237/28 provides that each owner must have a valid energy certificate during key moments in the life of a residential building: construction, change of owner or occupant (s) due to the effect of ‘a sale or a rental. This certificate must be communicated to the potential buyer or occupant. It is valid for a maximum of 10 years.

Is the PEB certificate compulsory?

In the Walloon Region: Since June 1, 2011, the PEB Certificate is compulsory for all transactions of a residential building (apartments & houses) as well as for rentals. The PEB certification relating to residential rentals is effective when a rental lease is renewed.

When signing a rental lease, the main documents to be gathered between the lessor and the tenant are:

How is the PEB certification carried out?

After an initial contact aimed at fixing the terms of the site visit, you meet with the Approved Certifier so that he can carry out his inspection. It then measures the loss areas, checks the composition of the walls, inspects the energy production and recovery facilities (heating, domestic hot water, photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, etc.).

Visits can often be scheduled outside office hours as well as on weekends to suit the owner.

The duration of an inspection depends on the complexity of the residential building as well as the relevance of the documents provided. In general, the visit takes place in an interval of one to three hours maximum.

What documents must be provided during the certification?

Certain documents are essential for a PEB Energy Certificate up to the performance of your building.

The approved certifier draws up his report on the basis of his own visual findings. In an existing building, certain parameters necessary for the preparation of the EPB certificate cannot be observed directly when visiting the building. Thus, in the interest of the owner, it is therefore important to provide the certifier with as much acceptable evidence as possible, which may have a favorable impact on the “energy rating” of the residential building.

It is therefore essential that the owner collects all the documents relating to the building in his possession and make them available to the certifier during his visit.

Here is the most complete list of documents considered to be acceptable evidence in the context of the EPB procedure:

  • Plans (Facades & Levels)
  • Complete specifications with the final account of the work
  • Planning permission (for the date of construction only)
  • Original invoices from the contractor with a precise description of the work.
  • A photographic file showing the walls and their characteristics (insulation, air gap, etc.) during construction / renovation. It must be possible to clearly identify the location in the building.
  • The technical documentation of the heating installation
  • Green certificates for photovoltaic panels
  • A premium certificate from the Region for the placement of insulation
  • Complete documents for obtaining tax reductions for energy-saving investments (with documents signed and dated by the contractor)
  • The certificate, from the architect, author of the project and having followed the progress of the work, of certain characteristics influencing the thermal performance of the residential building
  • An existing EPB declaration (new housing only)
  • A previous energy certificate or an energy certificate of a dwelling that is part of the building or of the same group of buildings
  • A “Building with Energy” certificate
  • Etc …

Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these documents. They are in fact not all necessary for the preparation of the Certificate but can intervene during the justification of a favorable “energy rating”.