Which buildings don't need to obtain the energy efficiency certificate?

From Finques Feliu we would like to thank Certicalia for their collaboration with us to clarify what the Energy Efficiency Certificate is and in which cases it is needed and in which it is not.

The purpose of the Energy Efficiency Certificate is to inform the buyer or tenant about the energy annual expenditure  to rationalize energy consumption. In addition, the technician prepares the certificate and advises on how to save in the long term. The goal is to achieve an informed citizenry.

According to Royal Decree 235/2013 it is absolutely clear that all properties must have a valid energy certificate before publish its advertisement wether if you want to sale or rent. In the second section of article 2 'Doubts about the energy certificate' of the mentioned Royal Decree, there are certain characteristics that exempt us from our property having to have the EEC.

Let's see what constructions and circumstances exempt from the EEC:

1.    Historical heritage: we refer to buildings and monuments that are officially protected because they are part of a declared environment because they have a particular architectural and historical value.
2.    Buildings or parts used for religious activities.
3.    Temporary buildings with a planned period of use of two years or less.
4.    Industrial, defence and agricultural buildings or parts intended for non-residential workshops, industrial, defence or agricultural processes.
5.    Individual buildings or parts of buildings with a surface area of less than 50 square metres.
6.    Buildings that have been purchased for substantial renovation or demolition.
7.    Homes that are used for less than four months a year, or for a limited time with an expected consumption of 25% or less of what would normally be spent in a year.

These exceptions have generated discussion among certifiers and other experts.  We will explain these points by their informative interest:

1. With regard to protected buildings, it should be established that both energy and accessibility (from which they are also exempt) could benefit from renovation.
2.    Referring to buildings of worship can lead to some inaccuracy, as it is not clear what happens if religious events are taking place in a rented private flat or in a multipurpose building.
3.    With regard to industrial buildings, we find that many have office areas that have to meet minimum comfort standards. The same we find in military and agricultural buildings, which although they are not residential areas, they must be habitable for the safety of workers.
4.    As for buildings dedicated to rehabilitation or demolition, many technicians believe that it is precisely these buildings that should receive more attention. The improvement measures included in the energy certificate could be applied directly in the new project.
5.    It is complex to verify that the usual use of a house does not exceed four months and that its annual consumption does not exceed 25%. This would require a study of the energy demand of the house, a job almost identical to energy certification.

The final advice told by experts is to explain the law clearly to the client and discuss with him/her the limits that certification has to achieve.

It should be remembered that an exhaustive certification in a specialised company such as Certicalia, taking into account all the areas which are not clear on the law, is preferable to stop studying something because 'it seems that the legislation does not contemplate it" and then be obligated to pay a sanction'.

As experts, we have to be rigorous. Finques Feliu has a Facility Management service that protects you against unwanted inconveniences and unforeseen fines.