Insight starts with a good question.
Practical explanations of energy labels, insulation, building systems, renting and energy improvements.
52 topics
Requesting an energy label: where to start
Start with the purpose: sale, rental, handover or insight. Provide the address and property type. We then agree the assessment, required information and price.
Read more CostsWhat does an energy label cost?
Floor area, property type, complexity and the required assessment affect the price. Ask which work is included and whether the price includes VAT. Homes and commercial properties may require different approaches.
Read more The basicsHow long is an energy label valid?
A registered energy label is generally valid for ten years from the assessment date. The exact expiry date appears on the document. Check the registered label rather than relying on an old listing or previous sales brochure.
Read more The basicsLooking up your energy label
Start with the national EP-Online register or official search route. An old brochure or screenshot may not show the current registration. Owners can obtain the certificate through the designated government service.
Read more AssessmentPreparing for your assessment
Make sure relevant spaces are accessible and gather available evidence. An invoice specifying the insulation type provides more information than a verbal description alone. Discuss any missing details beforehand.
Read more AssessmentWhich evidence helps substantiate insulation?
Insulation is not always visible from outside. Keep product specifications, invoices and clear construction photographs. The evidence must identify which material was installed where.
Read more Selling & rentingAn energy label when selling your home
Include the label early in your sales preparations. This gives the estate agent the right information and allows time to obtain missing documents. Coordinate the assessment with your sales timeline.
Read more Selling & rentingAn energy label for rental property
For renting, the label is not the only consideration: accommodation type and rental points may also matter. Collect the information as one file so the label, floor area and facilities are used consistently.
Read more ImprovementsA new label after renovation
Insulation or a changed system may alter energy performance. An existing registration does not update itself. Discuss whether reassessment is useful and what evidence is needed.
Read more Building systemsWhat do solar panels mean for your energy label?
Solar panels may affect calculated energy performance. Their effect depends on the system and building, among other factors. The number of panels alone does not determine the resulting label class.
Read more Building systemsHeat pumps and energy labels
A heat pump is part of the complete energy system. The adviser needs the correct system details, including type and application. Distinguish space heating from domestic hot water.
Read more InsulationRoof insulation and your energy label
The roof can form an important part of the building envelope. Record where insulation is located and whether a space is inside or outside the thermal envelope. Layer build-up and material specifications support the assessment.
Read more InsulationFloor insulation: which details matter?
The location of floor insulation matters. Is the material attached to the floor or laid on the crawl-space ground? These applications are not automatically interchangeable in an assessment.
Read more InsulationCavity-wall insulation and supporting evidence
For a retrofitted façade, documentation helps substantiate the measure. Specify which façades were treated and whether any sections have no cavity. A uniform façade finish does not reveal the entire construction.
Read more InsulationHR++ or triple glazing in your energy-label file
Glass and frames together form part of the building envelope. Keep product specifications and identify replaced windows. “Double glazing” alone is often too general to establish the exact performance.
Read more ComfortWhy ventilation belongs in your improvement plan
Improving insulation also requires attention to fresh air and moisture removal. Make coordinated choices. An energy-label calculation and indoor-climate assessment are different, but may concern the same systems.
Read more RentingEnergy labels and WWS points
Energy performance can contribute to rental-property valuation. Use the correct registered label and check the rules for the accommodation type. Any label improvement must be considered within the full points assessment.
Read more RentingWhat does a 187-point check tell you?
A points check can clarify rental-property valuation, but the contract date and applicable rules remain important. Do not focus on a single threshold. All input data also needs to be correct.
Read more New constructionBENG or an energy label: which do you need?
A design calculation and a label for a completed building have different purposes and timing. Ask which document your project requires and who must supply as-built information.
Read more New constructionBENG 1, 2 and 3 at a glance
BENG considers energy demand, primary fossil energy use and the share of renewable energy separately. One design choice may affect several indicators. An integrated calculation helps coordinate decisions.
Read more New constructionCollecting evidence during construction
A finished wall or roof is harder to assess later. Record the materials during construction. Agree with the adviser which photographs and documents will support the final file.
Read more AssessmentBasic or detailed assessment?
The appropriate method depends on the building and assignment. Available information and required evidence differ. Establish the correct assessment beforehand so quotations can be compared on the same scope.
Read more Special propertiesAn energy label for a listed building
A listed building has particular structural and heritage characteristics. The energy-label assessment and permission to make alterations are separate matters. Check current obligations and discuss proposed measures with appropriate experts.
Read more Special propertiesAn energy label for a holiday home
Sale, rental and the building characteristics of a holiday property require careful consideration. Gather park and building information and establish the applicable route. Not every holiday property has the same circumstances.
Read more Owners’ associationsWhich owners’ association documents help with an apartment?
The owners’ association may have information about roof insulation, façade work and shared systems. Request it before the assessment to avoid useful evidence arriving only after the file is prepared.
Read more Owners’ associationsCollective heating during an energy-label assessment
A shared system requires building information not always available in the apartment. The manager or installer may provide generation and distribution details. Agree beforehand who will supply the required data.
Read more Owners’ associationsMJOP and DMJOP: the difference
An MJOP addresses maintenance over several years. A sustainable plan also connects improvement options to maintenance timing, helping coordinate technical choices and decision-making.
Read more Owners’ associationsPreparing SVVE advice with your owners’ association
Start with the research question and check current grant conditions before commissioning work. Required documents may vary by activity. Record who represents the association and how decisions are made.
Read more ImprovementsA practical plan for improving your building
Start with the current condition, maintenance needs and desired comfort improvements. Then examine how the fabric and systems work together. Phasing may help combine measures with already planned maintenance.
Read more AdviceTailored advice or just an energy label?
An energy label describes calculated energy performance. More extensive advice may suit you if you want to compare improvement options. The decision you need to make determines the useful level of detail.
Read more The basicsWhy your label and energy bill differ
The energy label uses standardised assumptions. Your bill also depends on behaviour, occupancy, tariffs and weather. Do not directly compare the label calculation with one year of actual consumption.
Read more CommercialPreparing a commercial property for assessment
A commercial building often requires access to plant rooms and information from several parties. Arrange the visit with the manager or occupier and identify which systems belong to the property.
Read more CommercialA property with both residential and commercial space
Mixed-use buildings require clear boundaries. An apartment above a shop and the shop itself have different uses and may each require assessment. Include all uses and addresses in your enquiry.
Read more CommercialRequesting an energy label for your office
Clarify which sections are offices and which other uses are present. Gather information about cooling, ventilation, lighting and heating to prepare a focused assessment.
Read more ProfessionalsEnergy-label planning for a property portfolio
For multiple properties, a central property list prevents label information and deadlines being overlooked. Link the schedule to sales, letting and maintenance. Distinguish known information from outstanding investigations.
Read more ProfessionalsA complete energy-label file for the estate agent
Give the estate agent the correct registered document and check that it matches the property being marketed. Coordinate any assessment with occupants in good time. A clear contact person helps obtain missing documents promptly.
Read more Building inspectionsBuilding inspection or energy label?
These assessments answer different questions. An inspection considers visible building condition and points of concern. An energy label describes calculated energy performance. Both perspectives can provide useful information when buying.
Read more ComfortInclude moisture concerns in your energy-advice enquiry
Damp patches and condensation can have different causes. Extra insulation alone is not automatically the answer. Describe where and when the problem occurs and discuss whether building or ventilation investigation is needed.
Read more Building systemsHeat-loss calculations versus energy labels
A heat-loss calculation supports the sizing of heating capacity. An energy label answers a different calculation question using standardised occupancy assumptions. Ask which assessment supports the design when obtaining a system quotation.
Read more AdviceWho benefits from a renovation passport?
A phased renovation plan may suit owners improving a property over several years. It brings maintenance and energy improvements together and identifies dependencies between measures.
Read more Service areaPlanning an assessment on the Wadden Islands
Island assessments require extra attention to access and arrangements. Specify whether the property is a home, holiday property or commercial building. Coordinate keyholder availability with travel plans.
Read more AssessmentNo construction drawings: what next?
You can enquire without a complete archive. Explain what is missing and which documents are available. The adviser discusses what can be established on site and which further information is required.
Read more EnquireChecklist for a complete energy-label enquiry
A complete intake starts with correct property details and a contact person. Mention special circumstances such as multiple uses, collective systems or spaces that are difficult to access.
Read more Label classesEnergy labels A to G explained
The label class summarises calculated energy performance. A more efficient home receives a more favourable class. The letter alone does not identify the best improvement for your building; the report and building details are needed.
Read more ImprovementsUpdating the energy label after insulation
After insulation work, keep evidence showing which material was installed where. Discuss the appropriate update route with the adviser. A new invoice does not automatically change the registered label.
Read more Label classesEnergy label A: what does it mean?
Even a favourable starting point requires understanding the building details. For further improvements, consider coordination and comfort, not just the letter.
Read more Label classesEnergy label B: what does it mean?
A label-B building may already have several energy-saving features. Investigate which elements can still be improved before choosing measures.
Read more Label classesEnergy label C: what does it mean?
For label C, the existing construction determines the next step. Consider fabric and systems together and compare targeted scenarios.
Read more Label classesEnergy label D: what does it mean?
Label D is a reason to examine the underlying building information. The appropriate improvement route depends on insulation, systems and planned maintenance.
Read more Label classesEnergy label E: what does it mean?
For label E, an integrated assessment may help determine the sequence of improvements. Start with the technical situation and your comfort requirements.
Read more Label classesEnergy label F: what does it mean?
An unfavourable label class does not itself establish the priority measure. Compare maintenance, insulation and systems to prepare a substantiated plan.
Read more Label classesEnergy label G: what does it mean?
A label-G building requires a careful look at its starting point. Check available information and explore feasible improvements without promising a fixed jump in label class.
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