The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) has released a study that indicates more tailored information on energy costs and costs savings can increase the confidence in and the use of the EU energy label for dwellings, which has had a limited impact thus far.
18 January 2012: The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) has released a study that indicates the EU energy label for dwellings has had a limited impact so far and can be improved by providing more tailored information for buyers or new tenants.
The findings are based on an ECN-led study of 10 European countries titled “Key findings and policy recommendations to improve effectiveness of Energy Performance Certificates and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.” The report finds that the energy label plays only a limited role in the decision to purchase a dwelling, while the impact is larger in the case of home improvements.
The ECN study states that the confidence in, and use of, the energy label can be improved if more tailored information is provided to buyers and new tenants, including reliable information about the cost of energy and potential cost savings, and practical information about measures to reduce such costs and energy subsidy schemes. [ECN Press Release] [Publication: Key findings and policy recommendations to improve effectiveness of Energy Performance Certificates and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive]