Certification of the energy performance

Building energy performance certification is a regulated process during which the building’s thermal energy consumption is determined, the building is assigned to the energy performance class (A++, A+, A, B, C, D, E, F, G) and the building’s energy performance certificate (passport) is issued. The validity period of the certificate is 10 years.

Building energy performance certificate – a certificate issued in accordance with the procedure set by the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, that provides the evaluation of the building energy consumption and indicates the energy performance class according to the requirements of STR 2.01.09:2005 „Building Energy Performance. Certification of the Energy Performance“. Building energy certification can be performed only by a specialist who holds a valid attestation for the certification of building energy performance.

Building energy certification is mandatory

When building, selling or renting buildings. The developer (employer) or owner must provide the buyer or the lessee with the energy performance certificate of the building, the validity of which must not exceed 10 years. This provision also applies when selling or renting parts of a building (apartments, separately used premises of other purpose).

For newly constructed buildings, certification must be performed before declaring the building as fit for use (before the construction completion procedure). The energy performance class must be no lower than C, and if the construction permit was issued after 01-01-2014 – no lower than B.

For hotel, administrative, trade, service, catering, transportation, cultural, educational, healthcare and recreation buildings with a useful area larger than 1000 square metres. In these buildings, a legible energy performance certificate no older than 10 years must be displayed in a clearly visible place.

If a part of a newly built or significantly renovated building that can be used regardless of the completion of the remaining parts is declared fit for use, certification of that part is mandatory. For buildings with a useful area larger than 1000 m² undergoing major renovation, the energy performance class must be no lower than D.

Building energy performance certificate is not required

• For low-energy-consuming production, industrial, storage and agricultural non-residential buildings (where an area of less than 50 sq. m is heated for more than four months per year, and the remaining area is heated for less than 2 months per year or uses heat generated during technological processes).
• For buildings that are cultural heritage objects, if compliance with the requirements would undesirably change their characteristic properties or appearance.
• For houses of worship or buildings of other religious activity.
• For temporary buildings intended to be used for no more than 2 years.
• For recreational and gardening purpose buildings used for no more than four months per year.
• For separately standing buildings with a useful area no larger than 50 square metres.

Procedure for the certification of the building’s energy performance

1. The Customer submits the application to certify the building.
2. Signing of the agreement.
3. Verification of the documents submitted by the Customer (building project, cadastral surveying file, etc.).
4. Inspection of the building.
5. Collection of data about the building condition and submission for harmonisation with the Customer.
6. Calculation of the energy performance.
7. Presentation of the certificate to the Customer – the certificate itself, energy cost calculation results and a list of measures for improving the building’s energy performance.
8. Registration of the certificate at the Construction Production and Certification Centre (www.spsc.lt).

During the performance of works we take into consideration the request of the client to use special measurement devices (thermovisual analysis, determination of the parameters of the premises microclimate (temperature, relative humidity, illumination), the dynamics of the supplied and processed heat transfer medium temperature change), which justify the results of the calculations and obtained findings – this allows to impartially and accurately assess the condition of the object and its energy consumption and retention efficiency.

The exact price of certification depends on the completeness of the technical documentation, architectural and structural complexity, and job deadlines. Certification is performed throughout Lithuania.

Useful links for those interested in energy certification

Legal acts:

• Construction Technical Regulation STR 2.01.09:2005 „Building Energy Performance. Certification of the Energy Performance“.
• Construction Technical Regulation STR 1.02.09:2005 „Acquisition Procedure for the Right to Perform Building Energy Performance Certification“.
• Construction Technical Regulation STR 1.01.08:2002 „Types of Building Construction“.
• Construction Technical Regulation STR 1.11.01:2002 „The Procedure for the Declaration of Buildings as Fit for Use“.
• Law on Construction of the Republic of Lithuania.
• Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2002/91/EC.