Implementationof the EPBD in

1. Introduction

Directive 2002/91/EC, the first version ofthe Energy Performance of BuildingsDirective (EPBD), has been fullyimplemented in Norway since 2010. By theend of 2015, approximately 570,000Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs),had been issued. The majority of theseconcern houses and apartments, while22,000 concern non‐residential buildings.

Directive 2010/31/EU has not beenformally included in the Agreement on theEuropean Economic Area (EEA), and is thusnot implemented in Norway. The contentof this directive is, however, activelypursued in the planning of futureregulations.

In 2013, a dedicated control scheme wasestablished where samples are controlledfor the existence of certificates andinspection reports. In the future, thecontent and quality will also be subject tocontrol.

This report presents an overview of thecurrent status of implementation, as wellas of further plans for improvement inEPBD schemes in Norway. It addressescertification and inspection systems,including the status of quality controlmechanisms, the status of QualifiedExperts (QEs) in the market, informationcampaigns, and incentives and subsidies.

2. Current status ofImplementation of the EPBD

I. ENERGY PERFORMANCEREQUIREMENTS

I.i. Progress and current statusIn 2012, a broad agreement in theParliament stated that all new buildingsshould be at “Passive House” level in2015, and Near Zero‐Energy Buildings(NZEB) by 2020.

The two Norwegian standards for passivehouses and low‐energy buildings arealready in place. These are the NS 3700for residential buildings, and the NS 3701for non‐residential buildings. However,the definition of the “Passive House”level was to be implemented in thebuilding regulations in 2015. In November2015, the new requirements werepublished and will be effective fromJanuary 2016, with 2016 as a transitionperiod. This means that in 2016 the newrequirements are voluntary, whereas fromJanuary 2017 they will be mandatory. Therequirements do not fully meet the“Passive House” standards.

The requirements for 2020 are intendedto comply with NZEB, but they have yet tobe decided.

AUTHOROlav Karstad Isachsen,Norwegian WaterResources and EnergyDirectorate (NVE)

Martin Strand,The National Officeof Building Technologyand Administration(DIBK)

NATIONAL WEBSITES www.energimerking.no, www.dibk.no

STATUS IN NOVEMBER 2015Norway

I.ii. Format of nationaltransposition and implementationof existing regulationsThe Norwegian building regulation, mandatoryfrom 2017, has two options for how to fulfil therequirements. For non‐residential buildingsonly the first option is allowed:

> The first option contains specific energylimits for different building types. Therequirements are set in kWh/m2 usefulenergy demand per year within thebuilding envelope, considering heatrecovery from ventilation systems butnot considering system losses andenergy export. If this option is chosen,a set of absolute minimum requirementsmust also be fulfilled.

> The other option, for residential buildingsonly, addresses different components ofthe building envelope, as well as technicalinstallations and solutions. Therequirements will be considered fulfilledif it is shown that 9 specific energymeasures are applied. In addition torequirements concerning insulation andenvelope airtightness, there are specificrequirements for the heat recovery ofventilation air in the ventilation apparatus(yearly mean heat recovery rate), and theSpecific Fan Power (SFP) factor.

To ensure flexibility in heating systems,and systems being based on renewableenergy, all buildings larger than 1,000 m2

shall have flexible heating systems,normally waterborne, and be prepared forlow‐temperature heating distribution.Detached dwellings need to have achimney, unless flexible heat distributionis installed. Installation of heating systemsprepared for fossil fuels is not allowed. AsNorwegian electricity production is almostexclusively based on renewable energy andfossil fuels are to be phased out frombuildings, primary energy factors are notused in the regulations. To stimulate localrenewable production, when electricity isproduced on the property (more than20 kWh/m2.year), the specific energy limitcan be exceeded by 10 kWh/m2.year.

The Norwegian energy requirements areset for 13 different building categories.Indicatively, Table 1 shows the progressover time of certain aspects necessary tofulfil the Norwegian minimum energyrequirements, for commercial buildings,single‐family houses and apartmentbuildings.

Table 2 shows the absolute minimumrequirements that must be fulfilled if usingthe option of net energy demand limit.

Table 1:Minimum energyrequirements for

buildings in Norway.

Table 2:Minimum requirements

under the “specificenergy limits” option.

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Since 1 January 2013, all new buildings arerequired to be controlled by anindependent expert at the end of theconstruction process. For larger residentialbuildings and for non‐residential buildings,the control will be more extensive than forsingle‐family houses. Air leakage testing ismandatory for all building types and mustbe documented according to the currentstandard.

The Norwegian standard for the calculationof the energy performance of buildings iscalled NS 3031. This standard is built onthe EN 15603. The regulation of 2015 isbased on the 2014 version of NS 3031.

I.iii. Cost­optimal procedure forsetting energy performancerequirementsThe requirements in place from 2016 areconsidered to be cost‐effective. SinceNorway has not implemented theDirective 2010/31/EU, the requirementshave not been evaluated according to theprocedure decided by the EU.

I.iv. Action plan for progressiontowards Nearly Zero­EnergyBuildings (NZEBs)

National application of the NZEBdefinition

The 2012 agreement on climate issues inthe Norwegian Parliament stated that thebuilding requirements in 2020 willcorrespond to NZEB level. This has againbeen stated by the Government in 2015,when 2016 requirements were presented.However, the concept of NZEB in aNorwegian context has not yet been fullydefined.

Figures and statistics on existing NZEBs

The statistics available do not include aseparate category for NZEB, as Norway hasno NZEB definition. Somewhat betterstatistics can be found regarding buildingsmeeting the Norwegian Passive Housestandards. The support scheme has workedwell and now more than 10% of newbuildings (ca 1,000 buildings) meet thesecriteria. The Norwegian support scheme fornew buildings meeting the Passive Housecriteria of the “Passive House” standardshas therefore been discontinued, and a newprogramme for even more ambitiousprojects has replaced the passive housesupport programme. Support is given inparticular to innovative solutions to improvetechnical systems and heating systems.

Two examples of Norwegian NZEBs areshown in Figures 1 and 2.

[1] http://ngbc.no/breeam­nor/

Figure 1:Norway´s first NZEB, a single­family house, was completed in 2012 andhas been in operation ever since. The table shows the specifiedcalculated energy needs. After the first full calendar year in use, theactual used energy for the operation of the house (excluding outdoorpool and other consumption not related to the building operation) wasabout 6,500 kWh, and the produced electricity from the solar panels was7,126 kWh.

Figure 2:‘Powerhouse Kjørbo’ with the specified calculated energy needs duringoperation. This rehabilitated office building demonstrates the possibilityof transforming a typical 1980s office building into a plus­energy officebuilding, generating more energy during its lifetime than what was usedduring production of materials, construction, operation and demolition.The project was completed in 2014 and was awarded the BREEAM­NOR“Outstanding” classification, the highest classification in BREEAM­NOR[1].The project also fulfils all requirements in the Norwegian passive housestandard for non­residential buildings, NS 3701. The building producesenergy using tilted solar panels on the flat roofs.

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I.v. Implementation of the EnergyEfficiency Directive (EED)regarding building renovationand the exemplary role of publicbuildingsIt has not yet been decided whether theEnergy Efficiency Directive (EED) is a partof the EEA agreement. The EED is thus notyet implemented in Norway.

II. REQUIREMENTS FORTECHNICAL BUILDINGSYSTEMS (TBS)

II.i. Coverage of heating,domestic hot water, air­conditioning and large ventilationsystemsAll the technical building systems areincluded in the energy limits given in theminimum requirements defined in sectionI.ii. When using the option of specificenergy limits, the builders have anincentive to document good performanceof the systems, otherwise they need touse standard values in the calculation ofenergy performance.

The current and future regulations have aspecial requirement for energy supply tostimulate energy flexibility. Installation offossil fuel boilers will not be allowedaccording to mandatory requirements fromJanuary 2017. Only electricity (mostlyrenewable in Norway) or other renewablesources, or district heating, are allowed.

According to the regulation, which is to bemandatory from 2017, a building with morethan 1,000 m2 floor area shall be designedand constructed with a flexible heatingsystem, prepared for low temperature heat.

Wherever provisions in municipal plansstipulate an obligation to connect to adistrict heating system, buildings shall beequipped with a heating system allowingfor the use of district heating for heatingrooms, ventilation heating and hot water.

II.ii. Regulation of systemperformance, distinct fromproduct or whole buildingperformanceThe Norwegian performance basedregulations set some general requirementsregarding heating and cooling installations.In the regulation mandatory from 2017, it isrequired that pipes and other elements ofthe heating system be insulated accordingto cost efficiency and Norwegian standards.

II.iii. Applicability to new,replacement and upgradedsystems in existing buildingsTechnical systems must comply with thegiven minimum requirements and specificenergy limits of energy performance forall new buildings and main renovations.

There are no requirements specifically forinstallation, dimensioning, adjustment,and controls. The main incentive is forthe developers to use and installequipment that can contribute to betterenergy performance and bring the actualbuilding below the given limits.

II.iv. Encouragement ofintelligent meteringAt the moment there is no encouragementof intelligent metering. A pilot projectregarding smart metering is currentlybeing developed.

New metering equipment for electricitywill be installed in all buildings by 2019.

II.v. Encouragement of activeenergy­saving control (automation,control and monitoring)To be able to benefit from economicsupport for the installation of heat pumps, aspecific energy and heat monitoring systemmust be installed. To be able to apply foreconomic support to upgrade existingcommercial buildings, an energy monitoringsystem must be in place before the upgrade.

III. ENERGY PERFORMANCECERTIFICATES (EPCs)REQUIREMENTS

III.i. Progress and current statuson sale or rental of buildings

Overview and administration system

The scheme for the certification ofbuildings is the responsibility of the Ministryof Petroleum and Energy. The NorwegianWater Resources and Energy Directorate(NVE) is the managing body for certificationand inspection schemes. The Governmenthas decided that Enova, a public enterprisethat is owned by the Ministry of Petroleumand Energy[2], will take over themanagement of the certification andinspection schemes as of 1 July 2016. NVEwill remain responsible for controlactivities. The legislation is in place since 1January 2010 under the Energy Act, butfollowing a political discussion, theregulation was revised as of 1 July 2010[3].

[2] www.enova.no[3] Regulation for energy certification of buildings and inspection of boilers, heating systems, ventilation and AC systems:

www.lovdata.no/cgi­wift/ldles?doc=/sf/sf/sf­20091218­1665.html

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The Directive’s requirements for publicbuildings in Norway relate to all non‐residential buildings. Thus, the regulationdoes not distinguish between public andprivate buildings. The EPC for bothresidential and non‐residential buildings isvalid for 10 years, or until major changesare implemented in the building.

EPCs are issued by the NVE after on‐lineregistration of building data. Theregistered data are stored in the databaseat NVE premises. The EPCs are publiclyavailable, whereas more detailed data areused for analyses, research anddevelopment. The regulation requires thatthe EPC be shown to potential buyers andrenters as a part of the marketing.However, parts of the certificate, forinstance the energy label, can be used ina short version.

The regulation requires that everyresidence has an EPC. This applies to bothapartments and single‐family houses. Thepolitical background for this was the wishto stimulate the households’ own interestand activity related to energy quality andenergy performance of the building.

Format and content of the EPC

The EPC is the legal document producedduring the energy certification.

The EPC (Energiattesten) includes thefollowing content:

> Identity data.The top of the front pageincludes the address and necessary datafor the identification of the building orthe apartment, the name of the personor organisation responsible for thecertification (normally the owner), aswell as the name of the person who hasregistered the data.

> The energy label. This matrix presentsthe result of the calculations in twodimensions. First, on the vertical axis,the energy grade (grades A to G)represents the calculated deliveredenergy needs. New buildings willnormally achieve energy grade C,although this depends on the efficiencyof the heating system in place.Installation of a heat pump or solarcollectors could improve the grade.Grades A and B are normally reservedfor buildings with an energyperformance above the minimumrequirements. Second, on the horizontalaxis, the heating grade represents theextent to which the heating of spaceand water can be accomplished withRenewable Energy Sources (RES) otherthan electricity. The characterrepresents the energy grade and the

colour represents the heating grade,where green is predominantly based onrenewables and red means heating isbased on fossil fuels or electricity. Anexplanation is given on the front page ofthe certificate.

> Measured energy consumption. Forexisting buildings, an average of themeasured energy use per energy carrierfor the last three years is shown at thebottom of the front page.

Figure 4:The first page of theEPC. The label isshown in its twodimensions, energyand heating.

Figure 3: The regulation for energy certification and inspectionshttps://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2009­12­18­1665?q=energimerkeforskriften

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For non‐residential buildings, this isobligatory, but for residential buildingsit is only encouraged. For new buildingsthis section is left blank.

> User influence. On page 2, a paragraphis devoted to general advice on how tosave energy, even if it does not affectthe calculation of energy performance.

> Recommendations. A summary of therecommendations is listed, whereas amore extensive description is given in theappendix. Where an expert is responsiblefor the certification, he is also responsiblefor the list of recommendations. Forexisting dwellings without an expertcertificate, the recommendations aremade by the IT system based on thebuildings’ registered data.

> Central input data. On page 3, most ofthe key input data given by the ownerare presented, in order to allow thereader to check obvious data, e.g.,building type, year of construction, etc.

> Information and help desk. The lastpage is devoted to general informationon the energy certification, as well as tocontact data for the help deskestablished by the Norwegian authorities.

A short version of the energy label is theprofile of a building with the samecombination of letters and colours as inthe energy label matrix (see Figure 4).

There are small differences betweencertificates for residential and non‐residential buildings. The differencesmostly concern the language and therelevance of content.

EPC activity levels

More than 570,000 EPCs have been issuedover a period of 5 years (since January2010). It is estimated that this implies thatmore than 400,000 unique buildings/apartments have been certified. Somebuildings have been certified again and anumber of non‐residential buildings requiremore than one EPC, one for each buildingcategory represented. Figure 6 shows thenumber of issued EPCs as of November 2015.

More than 90% of the EPCs are issued forresidences. It is assumed that sale is themain trigger for the certification process –more so than rental. In December 2011and in June 2012, a control was held for5 advertised sales in each county,95 properties in total. In December 2011,only 52% of these had been certified. Thismodest first result led to an improveddialogue with the estate agents, who thenestablished better routines. Six monthslater, the result was considerably better:by then, more than 75% were certified.

The rate of certification appears to beslower for non‐residential buildings. In theautumn of 2012, a corresponding controlwas held, which showed that only 37% ofthe buildings in question were certified. In2013/2014, a more detailed control washeld with 92 large non‐residentialbuildings. Buildings were controlled uponthe availability of the EPC, whether it wasmade visible for the users and whetherinspection of technical systems was carriedout. More than 50% had one or moredefects. This has been followed by formalwarnings, and in the end resulted incompulsory fines for the owners of13 buildings who had not yet fulfilled theirobligations. The fines accumulate until theobligation is fulfilled. The result of thecontrol is also presented to the media.

Typical EPC costs

In the Norwegian scheme, the certificatefor existing residences can be obtainedfree of charge by anyone registering datahim/herself on the internet. If someonehires an expert, the cost will be accordingto the hourly cost of the expert, seldomless than 200 €.

For non‐residential buildings, the owner isobliged to use an expert. The cost ofcertification will thus normally span from1‐10 work days, with a total cost between1,000 € and 10,000 €. All new buildingsrequire expert certification. This isnormally done by the same expert andwith the same data as for control ofminimum requirements in the buildingregulation. The extra cost is thus minimal.

Figure 5:The logo of the

Norwegian scheme forenergy certification.

Figure 6:Number of Energy

PerformanceCertificates issued as

of November 2015(distribution by

grades).

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Assessor corps

For residences, most owners do theregistration themselves through thespecifically developed registrationsystem. Very few experts are thusinvolved, except for new buildings.

For non‐residential buildings a largenumber of experts are involved, includingvarious technical professionals related tobuildings, and very few are dedicated tocertification only. It is estimated that1,000‐2,000 experts are actively involvedin certification.

The competence requirements to be anexpert are defined in the regulation. Itrequires a bachelor’s degree inengineering and some experience,according to the complexity of thebuilding. The expert shall not seekapproval by the Government, but must beable to document his competence to thebuilding owner, and to the Government incase of control. The Government offersguidance for experts in print and on‐line,but there is no dedicated training programto become an EPC expert.

Compliance levels by sector

For residential property, a considerablenumber of properties for sale have acertificate. Approximately 20% of allresidences in Norway have an EPC by2015. The total number of residences is2.4 million, and with an additional450,000 leisure homes used only a fewmonths every year. For non‐residentialbuildings, there are no reliable figures butthe share of buildings with an EPC is muchlower than in the residential sector. Non‐residential buildings add up to 750,000buildings, whereas only a small part ofthem require an EPC. Agriculturalbuildings and some other types ofbuildings (old churches, industrialbuildings with low needs of heating) areexempted.

Enforcement with building owners andreal estate actors

Real estate actors have not taken anactive role in the certification process.However, their duty to use the EPC duringmarketing gives them a vital role insecuring the certificate’s existence. A fewcontrols have been performed and used asbackground for dialogue with the realestate agents’ organisation. The legalcontrol of their activity lies outside theNVE and has not yet been implemented.Mandatory inclusion of the energy label inthe advertisements has not yet beenimplemented, as Directive 2010/31/EUhas not been transposed in Norway.

The responsibility to create the EPC lieswith the owner. In practice, the use ofpenalties is difficult when it comes toresidential properties. Therefore, thebuyer/renter of a house or apartment hasbeen given the right to order an expertcertificate at the seller’s cost if an EPC isnot shown according to the regulation.This gives the buyer a strong position if hedemands an EPC. The strategy ofenforcement for residences is thus to givethe buyer/renter a strong positionfollowed by controls and information onthe performance of trade agents, etc.

For non‐residential buildings, sanctionsare possible, and were used for the firsttime in 2015. Eight (8) compulsory fineswere imposed on owners of non‐residential buildings.

Quality Assurance (QA) of EPCs

The energy certification system containsdata validity checks and there are strongrestrictions on what data are eligible. Themost important Quality Assurance (QA) is,however, the control performed by thebuyer who reads the EPC and demandsthat data be correct. The EPC is designedto enable the reader to understand themain input data used.

Controls have so far concentrated on theexistence of the EPC and if relevant,whether the EPC is available to the usersof the building.

The scheme for energy certification ofbuildings is considered a success incombining a simple registration bybuilding owners for existing residenceswith a requirement for expert registrationfor new buildings and non‐residential. Thecompliance rate is below what wasexpected and needs a revised strategy forboth information and control.

III.ii. Information campaignsIn the first years from 2010‐2011, acampaign was led to reach both thegeneral public and the property andbuildings sector. During 2013 and 2014,most of the relatively small resources

Figure 7:Advertisement forbuyers/tenants in thehousing market.

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were used for advertisements and to someextent editorial content for differentmedia. In the public informationcampaigns over the first two years(2010‐2011), the main emphasis was onenergy certification and less on inspectionof technical systems. Figures 8 and 9 showexamples of advertisements.

The slowing down in the rate ofcertification over the last two years (2014and 2015), in particular for non‐residential buildings, created a clearchallenge to implement a new informationstrategy capable of overturning this trend.

IV. INSPECTIONREQUIREMENTS – HEATINGAND AIR­CONDITIONING (AC)SYSTEMS

Articles 8 and 9 of Directive 2002/91/ECare implemented in the same regulationas the energy certification, and therequirements for inspections are in forcesince 1 January 2010. It must, however,

be noted that the practicalimplementation is slow. Up to 1 July2010, the regulation had a transitionperiod, giving the owner a time limit tofulfil the obligations. The transitionperiod was later withdrawn, meaning thatthe obligation was a surprise to thebuilding owners.

Norway has adopted a regular inspection ofboilers to meet the EPBD. The inspectionsmust cover heating, Air Conditioning (AC)and ventilation systems. The regulation hasbeen set in accordance with the limitsspecified in the EPBD. But, rather thanadopting the EPBD’s minimum size definedin effective rated output for AC systems,the regulation sets the threshold in thearea (m2) served by the systems. This isconsidered more practical for the buildingowners. In addition, the regulation:

> includes split units, to discourage theuse of several small and less effectivesystems;

> enables the inspection of pure ventilationsystems without cooling devices, as this isa fairly common method of heating andcooling in Norway.

The inspection requirements, thus, arethe following:

> boilers fuelled by fossil fuels with aneffective rated output above 20 kW areto be inspected every 4 years (every2 years for boilers with an output above100 kW);

> heating systems fuelled by fossil fuelswith an effective rated output above20 kW, and older than 15 years are tobe subject to a one time inspection;

> AC systems with an effective ratedoutput above 12 kW or serving an areaabove 500 m2 are to be inspected every4 years.

The building owner has the responsibilityto have an inspection made by acompetent inspector. The report from theinspection shall be uploaded to the energycertification system at the NVE. It shallalso be available on the premises. Thecontent of the report is outlined in theregulation:

> identification of building and system;> description of system;> summary of evaluation, with any

deviations from normal, and includingdimensioning of the system;

> registered data;> recommendations;> signature of the expert;> general information on the inspection

report, including dates, sources ofinformation, etc.

Figure 8:Advertisement on

energy labelcalculator for

residences. Thecalculator enables

owners to see howimprovements affect

the energy label.

Figure 9Energy label

calculator: display ofthe result where a

number ofrecommendations are

simulated for anexisting residence.

The label hasimproved

from “orange F” to“yellow E”.

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The NVE has presented a template formfor each type of inspection (Figure 10).These forms can be downloaded in excelformat and used directly by the expert.Other formats and technical systems areallowed as long as the data andevaluations are given at a levelcomparable with the template producedby the NVE. The minimum levels ofcompetence are stated in the regulationaccording to each type of inspection. Therequirements include formal competenceand practical experience. By performingthe inspection, the expert declares thathe/she meets the requirements and isready to document this on request.

The template given by the NVE defines alarge number of check‐points and data tobe registered. These are considerednecessary to fulfil the objectives of theinspection and to give a reasonable returnof the cost. For building owners who havegood documentation of the systems andcarry out regular maintenance works, theinspection will not cause high extra cost,because it is permissible to use an expertwho is already involved in themaintenance, as long as he/she meets therequirements of competence. For buildingowners who neglect the continual needfor maintenance, the cost of inspectioncan be very high. The first objective ofthe Government is to give an incentive toall owners of technical systems toestablish good regular routines for serviceand maintenance.

The responsibility for inspection is notconnected to the responsibility for energycertification. However, there are obviousbenefits in coordinating the tasks. Anyinspection report will be for the benefit ofthe certification expert. It will be usefulfor the expert who inspects a heatingsystem to use the calculations for theenergy performance of the building inquestion. And, for the owner, the wholeprocess can be more effective if done by alimited number of experts working incooperation.

The first control on inspections took placein 2013 and 2014 covering bothcertification and inspections in 92 largenon‐residential buildings. Any buildingowner failing to document a relevantinspection report received a warning.Following continuous neglect of theobligation, a compulsory fine was decidedfor 8 building owners.

The NVE has used both advertisements(see Figure 11) and editorials in therelevant press to motivate experts andsystem owners.

The number of boiler systems and heatingsystems inspected as of 2015 is less than1,000 in total. This is clearly not a success,although the scheme has the potential ofbeing the prime motor for oil‐fuelled boilermaintenance and improvements. Thereasons for the low rate of compliance canbe outlined as follows:

> The Government’s informationcampaign has been inadequate.

> Oil‐fuelled boilers are clearly in decline,awaiting a probable full phase‐outdecision.

> The public scheme has been perceivedas a competitor to a private andvoluntary scheme for inspection andmaintenance.

The scheme for inspection of AC systems,including ventilation systems, has beenfar more successful. As of December 2015,approximately 19,000 systems have beeninspected. It is estimated that the totalnumber of systems is between 50,000 and100,000. Also here there is a largepotential for improved compliance.

Figure 11:Advertisement oninspection of boilersand AC systems.

Figure 10:First page of thetemplate form forinspection of boilersand heating systems.

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The reasons for considerable bettercompliance when it comes to AC systemscompared to heating systems are:

> The relevant industry organisation haspromoted the scheme.

> There is no obvious competition fromexisting measures.

The schemes for inspection of technicalsystems have a long way to go to attractthe necessary interest among buildingowners and relevant experts. Thechallenge is both to have a more activeinformation strategy for the market, andto expand the control activity. In case ofinspections of oil‐based boilers andheating systems, it is necessary to definea new strategy when the plan for phasing‐out oil‐based heating systems is decided.

3. A success story in EPBDimplementation

The Norwegian energy performancerequirements set in 2007, mandatory after2 years, have had various effects on theNorwegian construction market. Therequirements were perceived as especiallyharsh on the Norwegian windowproducers, who now had to find a solutionto the requirement for U‐value set to 1.2on average. At the time, there were noproducers in Norway able to deliverwindows meeting this requirement. Withinthe end of the transition period, most ifnot all producers had started developingnew technology and were able to meetthe new requirements. Continuing todevelop new technology, producers weresoon able to deliver windows good enoughto help buildings fulfill the requirementsset in the Norwegian passive housestandard for residential buildings, NS3700. This standard was published in2011, followed by a standard for non‐residential buildings published in 2012.Both standards were followed by publicsupport schemes. Passive houses are nowbeing built all over the country by a largevariety of builders as opposed to beingconsidered a rare special niche marketonly a few years back. The Governmentannounced in 2013 that newrequirements, to be decided in 2015,would be close to the now‐established

Passive House level. The newrequirements were decided in November2015, although less ambitious than thelevel defined by the Passive Housestandards.

Norwegian window producers continue todevelop cutting edge technology, and arenow developing windows to meet theNZEB requirements, which are set to beannounced before 2020. This includeswindows with integrated solar collectors.

In 2013, more than 1 million m2 of passivehouses and 400,000 m2 of low energybuildings were built with support from thenational programme for passive and lowenergy buildings. This makes up for morethan 10% of the new building stock andthe program was therefore discontinuedand replaced by another program for evenmore ambitious projects, such as NZEBs.

4. Conclusions, future plans

New minimum requirements were decidedupon in November 2015, effective as ofJanuary 2017. The new requirements willbe a step towards the 2020 requirements.

The certification scheme awaits adecision on the implementation of theDirective 2010/31/EC. In any case, newrequirements and new standards willprobably lead to a revised scale of energyand heating grades. At the same time, thelayout of the EPC needs revision.

The inspection of AC systems has begunwell, whereas inspection of boilers willneed revitalisation. In 2015 theGovernment announced that theresponsibility of EPC schemes andinspections will be moved from the NVE toEnova as of July 2016, to allow for bettercoordination with information activitiesand financial support programmes. All thisconstitutes a need to evaluateexperiences since 2010, and to considerwhich changes are needed to make surethat the objectives are met.

The schemes for certification andinspection need a renewed informationstrategy. At the same time, the controlshave shown to be an effective measure,and will be developed further.

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The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does notnecessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor theEuropean Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the informationcontained therein.

The content of this report is included in the book “2016 – Implementing the EnergyPerformance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Featuring Country Reports”,ISBN 978‐972‐8646‐32‐5, © ADENE 2015

More details on the IEE Programme can be found atec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent

This individual report and the full 2016 book are available atwww.epbd‐ca.eu and www.buildup.eu

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