Although it is not yet time, to introduce the topic of Energy Efficiency Certification for existing buildings, nor to define techniques or methods to use, given its nature as a Royal Decree Project, of basic procedure, without definitive approval,….
News from idealista… HERE. (see also news related)
(This link from ARQUIREHAB, offers a simple way of extensive information about the topic, including the direct link to the MINETUR page for the download of, among others, the documents that are part of the PRD and the computer methodologies CE3 and CE3X of the Options simplified. Basically what remains pending, without waiting surprises in the final approval, which will be the modifications of the CALENER program within the Option General, to adapt it to the buildings existing)
….yes, there is a whole series of controversies and open debates, they deserve some attention. Let's remember for another part that this Certification model will be applicable mandatory as of January 1, 2013, for those real estate that will be sold or leased, and some “well” informed sources, and given the demands of the European Commission, ensure that its final approval will be will produce throughout this month of June. (2012)
Energy Efficiency for Buildings Existing, is part of this group of "positive" Decrees to priori,
… for example the Royal Decree 1699/2011, of November 18, which regulates the connection to the network of small power generation facilities power, or Balance Decree Net, distributed generation and self-consumption in renewables, small wind, photovoltaic, cogeneration,... that starts with unbeatable intentions of efficiency, to favor small consumers/producers and above all for the creation of jobs, but with certain initial obstacles in terms of limiting power (100 Kw) and the definition of the "tolls" to be paid to the electric companies, which should not be increased by the tariff deficit. With an even more uncertain future, which is also without approving and running out of deadlines.
along with other movements, which make us have a certain optimism and to think that all is not lost, not only because of the energy saving, climate change, comfort, the well-being, the observance of the European Directives,….
Royal Decree 47/2007 on Certification of Energy Efficiency partially transposes the Directive 2002/91/EC and I say "partially" because it was resolved without define the procedures for Existing Buildings, which is what concerns us now, after the slap on the wrist of the European Commission.
Curiously this Directive was repealed or extended at the time by Directive 2010/31/CE, or 20-20-20, made that forces us to review the review, of many things, among others of the Royal Building Decree Project itself Existing and CTE HE
….but for the creation of jobs with high added value, or by least expand, renew and diversify the alternatives of job. Just a few days ago a piece of news was published in somewhat alarming, both because of the compulsory registration or no, as for the possible change that it may produce in the professional attributions:
“The objective set by the Executive is to "strengthen the principle of freedom of access and exercise in all professional activities. It is intended to remove “unjustified and disproportionate barriers in the provision of professional services", which will favor the competition and the provision of services to a better price."
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It is very difficult to assess this question. The Energy Efficiency is a “Startup”, that is, a science emerging market that is being seen -and given the crisis- more as a model of business, that as a real responsibility with aspects of sustainability. We see daily the appearance of new participants, experts in everything -architects too- who try to get on the bandwagon, and create a bad image about the concepts of sustainability and efficiency. everything comes from series, ecological, efficient, sustainable and feng shui: everything is “green”.
As a relative innovation, it does not There are official degrees. What if we meet is a huge number of master's degrees, courses, "cursillos" (the most of the available resources are being devoted to training, many times as another business.) web pages, blogs, forums, energy and sustainability agencies, very difficult to catalog; not to mention the proliferation of systems, materials and even concepts of various kinds, some of great quality and some not, but that in any case they do not “enable” competition in terms of Energy Efficiency. To do this, we would have to be qualified experts in ecological construction, in Bioclimatic architecture and their techniques, Renewable Energies and Digital Home, -and many other things-, materials, bioconstruction, lighting, facilities, carbon footprint (CO2 emissions), modification of behavioral habits, health... and knowing the process proposed by other certification models.
And this would allow us to know what really matters in the analysis of the CEEx, regardless of norms, laws and decrees: How is the data collected necessary when carrying out an energy study? What are the actual measurements and modifications we can take, saving and energy efficiency, without reducing benefits or comfort? And in the practical case What we can do to increase the rating scale energy of a property?
Be in possession of a higher degree, Engineer – Architect, does not guarantee the knowledge for the preparation of a CEEx, nor can it exclude other technicians, more even taking into account that it is a document that will be reviewed and even corrected by a Control Body. (we see more forward the art. 6.3) No group has the right to claim the Certification exclusively. However, "a priori" This knowledge is not guaranteed by anyone, and perhaps the least bad solution is the one we will see below, in relation to the LOE. (We can imagine banks or real estate agents including free, the certificate, in the purchase-sale or lease contract.)
What matters now is trying to define what is the current situation of the topic depending on the modifications Proposals for RD 47/2007:
We consult articles 5.6 and 6 of the Project of Royal Decree:
6. The energy efficiency certificate will be signed by technicians who are in possession of the degree academic and professional qualification for the realization of building projects or their thermal installations, freely chosen by the property of the building.
1. The competent body of the Community Autonomous * will establish, the scope of control external of the process established in article 5 and the procedure to follow to do it. This control may be carried out by the Administration itself or through the collaboration of authorized agents for this end.
*Contact bodies for the energy certification of buildings
2. Authorized agents will be agencies or control entities that meet the technical requirements established in Royal Decree 410/2010, of March 31, for the exercise of their activity in the regulatory field of the building, as well as the control entities authorized to the regulatory field of thermal installations, or qualified independent technicians in accordance with the procedure and degree requirements, experience, specific training in certification of energy efficiency and means established by the body authority of the Autonomous Community.
3. When the energy efficiency rating resulting from this external control is different from that obtained initially, as a result of differences with the specifications provided, the property will be informed of the reasons that motivate it and a specific period for its rectification or presentation of allegations in case of discrepancy, before proceeding, where appropriate, to the modification of the grade obtained.
To define the "technicians who are in possession of the qualifying academic and professional qualification for carrying out building projects or their thermal installations” it is necessary to refer to the Law 38/1999 on Building Regulations, specifically Articles 2 and 10, "Scope of application" and "The designer", so that the qualifying professional, It will depend directly on what you are certifying. Architect, Technical Architect, Engineer and Engineer Technical.
And what is certified corresponds to the Basic Procedure of Certification of Energy Efficiency of Existing Buildings Article 2. Scope of application of the PRD CEEx:
1. This Basic Procedure is applicable to all existing buildings, which at its entry into force did not have an energy efficiency certificate, when are the subject of a contract of sale or lease.
2. Existing buildings that are subject sales contract (See how to calculate the price of a house) or rental must have a certificate of energy efficiency obtained in accordance with the Basic procedure that is approved in the article unique.
3. are excluded from the scope of application:
1.- It seems curious to think that the zones of summer with leases of less than 4 months will be left without their corresponding Certification of Energy Efficiency for existing ones.
2.- RD 47/2007 will include, after the final approval of the PRD CEEx, of two parts: Buildings finished and existing buildings. It does not seem clear definition of which is which.
According to a Technical Note from the CAT COAC, which, in part, reads as follows:
………….
“Royal Decree 47/2007 was published on January 31, 2007, entered into force on April 30, 2007, but it was not mandatory until October 30, 2007.”
“Therefore, if a project obtained a visa at the corresponding official College and the date application for the work license with said project is prior to October 30, 2007, the project does not apply justify Royal Decree 47/2007 and for this reason neither proceeds to carry out the energy efficiency certificate of finished building.”
It seems obvious which building terminated is the one whose license request date is after October 30, 2007 and it would seem obvious as well that the existing ones are those of the license request date above, (who have not taken advantage of the April-October period 2007 of "voluntariness") given point 1 of the scope of application of the PRD CEEx. Among this group of Buildings Existing, and based on the classification by periods of the “Energy Rating Scale for Existing Buildings” (2.1) there will be those who do not comply with the CTE HE (prior to 2006 and a wave of projects approved to not comply) and between September 2006 and April 2007 and later, those that do comply, with which we will have to use different indices of assessment (C1 and C2).
Given that the entry into force of the RD CEEx will be produced 20 days after its publication in the BOE, we will also have those "existing" buildings to which that does not affect RD 47/2007, which currently and given the protracted crisis, are still under construction and that if they are not completed before January 2013 (anticipation of entry into force of the CEEx) it seems that they will not exist neither for the RD CEEx nor for RD 47/2007.
Modification will be required of the texts to clarify this situation, something like such as: “The RD CEEx is applicable to all buildings that, when sold or rented, do not have a certificate of energy efficiency”.
Even more complex it seems, determine the interpretations that each Autonomous Community make Article 6, in reference to External Control. (Ministry responsible for the Energy chapter) They will be able to validate the results of the certificate, even with proposals for modification, and will grant the energy rating definitive. (6.3) (Except for Buildings that depend on the Ministry of Defense)
In the case of the participation of Authorized Control Entities, their regulation will start also of the LOE (Article 14. Entities and building quality control laboratories and their modification, through article 15 of Law 25/2009) The The body responsible for external control must ensure the compliance with the requirements applicable to control entities and laboratories, as well as verify and investigate the results of technical assistance, by virtue of the Royal Decree 410/2010, of March 31, which develops the requirements applicable to quality control entities of the building and to the test laboratories for the control quality of the building, for the exercise of its activity. (6.2)
It is expected that processes members of External Control are very similar or equal in all the CCAAs and that enforceable conditions be established to professionals who carry out the certification AND for control,” ….qualified independent technicians of accordance with the procedure and qualification requirements, experience, specific training in certification of energy efficiency and means established by the body authority of the Autonomous Community.” That the specific training does not fall into academies or online courses as business models and also, that they do not occur referrals to highly qualified professionals or consultants specialized in communication and information, processing and aid and subsidies management; but not in Efficiency Energetic.
Ultimately the single important objective both in certification and in control is: advise the owners of buildings or homes to find professionals versed in efficiency energy and encourage the execution of the necessary measures to obtain a certificate with the highest possible qualification, with the help that is necessary.
Article written by Luis Ruiz de la Fuente Perera (Energy Management Architect) collaborator by Home Repair Care
