You've probably heard of the energy certificate and, when it comes to renting or buying a house, it's one of the topics you're most interested in, if only energy prices weren't getting higher and higher. But what is an energy certificate anyway? What criteria are used to define a property's energy class? In this article, we answer your questions.
What is an energy certificate?
The energy certificate is a document that assesses the energy efficiency of a given property, on a scale from A+ to F, where A+ is the most efficient and F the least efficient. This document is issued by the Portuguese Energy Agency (ADENE), which is the managing body of the energy certification system for buildings (SCE).
What kind of information does the energy certificate contain?
The document, issued by ADENE, contains information on the construction of the property, characteristics that allow energy consumption to be measured for different uses, such as heating the house or producing hot water for bathing.
The energy certificate also includes measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste. Reinforcing insulation or installing double glazing are some of the measures included in this document.
How long is the energy certificate valid for?
The validity of the energy certificate for a given type of building varies depending on the certificate and the building itself. In the case of residential buildings and/or small commercial and service buildings, the document is valid for 10 years. For large commercial and service buildings, the period is eight years.
What influences a property's energy class?
There are several factors that have a direct impact on a property's energy rating, for example:
- Location. Where is the property located? What is the light exposure?
- Year of construction. What year was it built? Has it been recently refurbished?
- Type of property. Whether it's a house or an apartment, for example.
- Materials used in construction. The type of walls, floors, roofs, etc.
- Equipment associated with air conditioning.
- Ventilation.
- Domestic hot water production.
How do I request an energy certificate?
You should request this document from a specialist. If you don't know one, go to the Certificar é Valorizar website and search for a specialist near you. We advise you to request quotes from different specialists, as there are several factors that directly impact the energy class of the property, as we have just explained.
Once the specialist has been selected and has visited the property, the calculations will be carried out and then entered into the Energy Certification System. Before this last step, ask for a preliminary consultation of the document.
