Energy Certificate
Obtaining an energy certificate is essential for assessing the energy efficiency of a building, whether it is new or existing. This document contributes to optimizing maintenance costs, certifies the building’s energy performance and provides relevant information about energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.
The energy certificate is MANDATORY before the reception of a new construction, as well as for the sale, rental and evaluation of existing buildings/apartments and is valid for 10 years.
For places of worship, temporary buildings used for less than two years or independent structures with an area under 50 square meters, an energy certificate is NOT required.
What is an Energy Certificate?
The energy performance certificate is a legal technical document that indicates the calculated energy performance under predefined comfort conditions for the assessed property (building, building unit, apartment). The document must be prepared according to the methodology for calculating building energy performance and includes data on primary and final energy consumption, including from renewable energy sources, as well as the equivalent amount of CO₂ emissions.
For existing buildings, the certificate includes an annex with recommended measures both for reducing energy consumption and for increasing the share of renewable energy sources in total consumption.
The energy performance certificate is an official document that evaluates the energy efficiency of a building or apartment. Through this document, the property is classified into a specific category, from Class A (most efficient) to Class G (least efficient), based on both primary energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. This is done based on energy use for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, converting final energy into primary energy and CO₂ emissions.
When is the Energy Certificate required?
According to the provisions of Law No. 372/2005, the energy certificate is mandatory before the reception of a new construction and for the sale, rental, or evaluation of existing buildings and apartments and is valid for 10 years.
Energy Certificate for new buildings
For new constructions, obtaining an energy certificate is mandatory before the completion of the work and the building’s reception. The document provides an initial evaluation of energy performance, allowing owners to implement potential energy efficiency measures from the beginning. This certificate ensures compliance with construction standards.
For existing buildings
For existing buildings, an energy certificate is required in specific cases, such as sale, rental or major renovation. When selling or renting a property, the document contributes to greater transparency in the real estate market. In cases of significant building renovation, obtaining an updated energy certificate is necessary to assess the building’s performance after changes.
For which types of properties is the Energy Certificate issued?
The energy performance certificate is issued for various types of buildings, residential and non-residential and must be presented according to Law No. 372/2005 regarding building energy performance, as republished.
Energy Certificate for Office Buildings
*(commercial spaces, hospitals, educational buildings, sports facilities, etc.)
For non-residential buildings, the energy certificate assesses the energy needed for heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation of workspaces. The document provides employers and owners with a clearer view of operational costs and enables them to implement measures to reduce energy consumption.
Certificate for studio apartments
Being smaller residential units, studio apartments also benefit from energy certification. The document helps owners optimize energy costs and provide tenants with an adequate level of thermal comfort. The energy certificate for studio apartments is necessary for renting or selling.
Certificate for apartments
An energy certificate is required for apartments for both sale and rental. The document allows owners to understand how they can improve energy performance through insulation, efficient windows or other interventions. It is a useful document for managing maintenance costs and enhancing comfort.
Certificate for Houses and Villas
For houses and villas, the energy certificate is especially important, given the diversity of construction methods and materials used. This certificate helps owners understand how energy-efficient their home is and what measures they can take to improve it.
All new buildings (residential and non-residential) will need to be designed to meet NZEB requirements.
*(NZEB – nearly zero energy building) – a building with very high energy performance, where energy consumption is almost zero or very low and is covered, at a minimum of 30%, by renewable energy sources, including renewable energy produced on-site or nearby within a 30 km radius from the building’s GPS coordinates.
Documents needed for issuing an Energy Certificate
The documents required for an energy certificate include:
- A copy of the owner's ID (or authorization if a representative)
- Building plans (architectural plans)
- Building survey, if available
- Technical documentation of the building, if available
- Previous energy consumption data (optional, for a more precise estimate) and photos of the location
- Data on existing installations
- Information on the structure and if the building/apartment has already been rehabilitated
Contact an Energy Certification specialist!
Need an energy certificate in Bucharest? Contact us through the form below:
FAQ
Who issues the energy certificate?
The certificate is prepared and issued by a building energy auditor, certified by MDLPA. Xplorate Group offers this service through certified energy auditors, who perform the assessment of the building.
The document can be submitted online, electronically signed by the auditor, or can be picked up in physical format at the Xplorate Group headquarters in Bucharest. To be valid, the certificate must have the unique registration code issued by MDLPA.
How long does it take to obtain the energy certificate?
The certificate can usually be obtained within 24-48 hours of completing the assessment and receiving the necessary information. The duration may vary depending on the area and complexity of the building, as well as the available documents.
The certificate can be sent in copy by email, and the original document can be picked up at the Xplorate Group headquarters in Bucharest.
How much does an energy certificate cost?
The price varies depending on the type of property, such as apartment, studio, house or office building, its surface area, complexity and available documents. Contact us for a personalized offer.
What happens if I sell or rent without an energy certificate?
Before signing the contract, the owner must provide the potential buyer or tenant with a copy of the certificate. Upon sale, the original is transmitted to the new owner.
A sale-purchase contract concluded without complying with the obligation to provide information through the certificate is subject to relative nullity. In the case of rental, the owner must present a copy of the certificate before signing the contract and submit a copy to the competent tax authority upon its registration.
Are there any buildings exempt from the energy certificate?
Yes. The certificate is not mandatory for certain categories of buildings, including:
- protected buildings and monuments, when the application of energy requirements would unacceptably alter their character or external appearance
- places of worship and buildings used for religious activities which, according to their declared purpose, do not ensure indoor comfort
- temporary buildings intended to be used for no more than two years
- buildings used less than four months per year or which have low energy consumption
- independent buildings with a useful area of less than 50 m2
An energy performance certificate is not issued for buildings with industrial or agricultural purposes, outdoor garages and spaces open on one or more sides. A household annex is not automatically exempted. Its purpose and configuration must be verified.
Do I have to be present at the energy assessment?
No. In order to prepare the energy certificate, a survey of the building or cadastral documentation is required, which provides the necessary information about the surfaces and the configuration of the space.
If these documents are not available, Xplorate Group can prepare the survey or the necessary cadastral documentation, depending on the situation of the building. The survey can be prepared based on measurements taken on site, including 3D laser scanning when the project requires it.
The preparation of these documents may influence the duration and cost of the service.
Can I get an energy certificate if I don't have the building plans?
No. In order to prepare the energy certificate, a survey of the building or cadastral documentation is required, which provides the necessary information about the surfaces and the configuration of the space.
If these documents are not available, Xplorate Group can prepare the survey or the necessary cadastral documentation, depending on the situation of the building. The survey can be prepared based on measurements taken on site, including 3D laser scanning when the project requires it.
The preparation of these documents may influence the duration and cost of the service.
What is nZEB and when is the nZEB compliance report required?
nZEB (nearly Zero-Energy Building) designates a building with a very high energy performance, with a very low energy consumption and with the use of energy from renewable sources in the proportions established by the legislation in force.
For new buildings that fall under the scope of energy performance requirements, the documentation required for the authorization of the works must include the nZEB compliance report. This is prepared by an energy auditor for buildings grade I and verifies, from the design phase, whether the proposed solutions allow the building to meet the nZEB requirements.
The nZEB compliance report and the energy performance certificate are distinct documents and have different roles within the project.
