Energy Performance of Buildings

This department is the lead department for the implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (recast).

Part L of the Building Regulations Conservation of Fuel and Energy in Dwellings sets the energy and carbon dioxide emissions requirements for new and existing buildings subject to the Building Regulations.

• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (recast) EPBD
• EU (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations SI 243 of 2012
• Building Energy Ratings (BERs)
• Building Energy Ratings (BER) Statistics
• European Commission link

• Energy Performance of Buidings Regulations Technical Guidance 2024
• Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2021 - Technical Guidance

• Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis under the EPBD - Non-Residential (2023)
• Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis under the EPBD - Residential (2023)
• Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for buildings in Ireland under Directive 2010/31/EU on the Energy Performance of Buildings (recast)- Non-residential Buildings (2019)
• Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for buildings in Ireland under Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (recast) - Residential Buildings (March 2013)
• Report on the development of cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for buildings in Ireland under Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings (recast) - Non Residential (March 2013)
• Cost Optimal Residential Report Ireland 2018
• Cost optimal calculations and gap analysis for recast EPBD for Buildings: Additional Calculations (February 2015)
• Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland: Planning for 2020 and beyond (November 2012)

• Bringing Back Homes - Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings
• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland - Better Energy Homes
• SR 54 Code of Practice for the Energy Efficient Retrofit of Dwellings
• Climate Action

Amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations (relating to the conservation of fuel and energy in dwellings) give effect to the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2019, published on 03 May 2019 (S.I. 183 of 2019). The regulations will come into effect on 01 November 2019. The regulations transpose Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast) as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018. The Directive sets requirements for Member States to improve the energy performance of buildings and make an important contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A revised Technical Guidance Document, L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Dwellings has been published to accompany the Regulations.

The Directive defines a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) as a building that has a very high energy performance. It states that the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby. Article 9(1) of the Directive requires Member States to ensure that by 31 December 2020, all new buildings are nearly zero energy buildings. Under the previous 2011 regulations, a typical new dwelling is built to an A3 Building Energy Rating (BER). The NZEB requirements will equate to an A2 BER. This represents a 70% improvement in energy efficiency and a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2005. It also introduces 20% renewables as a percentage of the total building energy use.

The Directive requires that where major renovations (defined as a renovation where more than 25% of the surface envelope of the building undergoes renovation) are carried out on a building, the building should achieve a cost optimal energy performance at building level insofar as is technically, functionally and economically feasible. The cost optimal energy performance level is equivalent to a B2 BER.

The improvement in performance to this new NZEB standard is achieved by, among other things, advancing the air tightness performance of the building, which in turn requires more effective ventilation systems. An amendment to Part F (Ventilation) of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations sets out minimum standards to provide effective and adequate means of ventilation in buildings in order to ensure good indoor air quality. A revised Technical Guidance Document, F (Ventilation) has been published to accompany the Regulations.

The main benefits of the new regulations include reduced energy bills, alleviation of fuel poverty, health improvements and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.