EPBD glossary

The energy performance level with the lowest total cost over a building’s life, counting both investment and running costs. Countries use it to set minimum energy performance requirements.

EPBD Article 6

A renovation that turns a building into a nearly zero-energy building before 2030, and into a zero-emission building from 2030. A staged deep renovation reaches the same result in several steps, set out in a renovation passport. Countries must give deep renovation higher support.

EPBD Article 2(20) and (21)

The EU law on the energy performance of buildings. The revised version, Directive (EU) 2024/1275, aims for a zero-emission building stock by 2050. Published on 8 May 2024. Most of it had to be transposed into national law by 29 May 2026; the end of subsidies for stand-alone fossil-fuel boilers applied from 1 January 2025.

EPBD Article 35

When a household cannot get the basic energy services it needs for a decent standard of living, because of low income, high energy costs or a poorly insulated home. The EPBD uses the definition in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791. Vulnerable households are those in energy poverty, or lower middle-income households particularly exposed to high energy costs that lack the means to renovate.

EPBD Article 2(27) and (28)

A building with very high energy performance whose small energy needs are largely covered by renewable energy. The standard for new buildings until zero-emission buildings become the rule (2028 for public buildings, 2030 for all).

EPBD Article 2(3)

Final energy is what a building uses (electricity, gas, heat). Primary energy also counts the energy lost producing and delivering it.

EPBD Article 2(9)

Putting an EU directive into national law and practice, through laws, regulations and administrative measures. Countries must send the Commission the text of these measures. The Commission can open infringement proceedings if a country is late or incomplete.

EPBD Article 35

A national database on the energy performance of individual buildings and of the whole building stock. It holds the energy performance certificates and, where they exist, renovation passports and smart readiness ratings. It may be a set of linked databases.

EPBD Article 22

The national method used to calculate how much energy a building uses, which EPCs and minimum requirements are based on. It follows the common framework in Annex I of the directive, so that results can be compared across the EU.

EPBD Article 4 and Annex I

A certificate showing how much energy a building or flat uses, rated on a scale from A to G, with advice on how to improve it. From 29 May 2026 EPCs follow a common EU template. A means a zero-emission building and G the worst-performing buildings in the national stock when the scale is introduced. Countries may add an A+ class.

EPBD Articles 19 to 21

Each country’s plan to renovate its buildings into a highly energy-efficient and decarbonised stock by 2050, with targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. Drafts were due by 31 December 2025 and the first final plans by 31 December 2026. The Commission comments on each draft.

EPBD Article 3 and Annex II

A tailored, step-by-step plan for the deep renovation of a specific building, prepared by a qualified expert. Countries had to introduce a scheme by 29 May 2026. Using it is voluntary for owners, and it may be issued together with the EPC.

EPBD Article 12

Rules that require existing buildings to reach a set energy performance by a given date, which triggers their renovation. For non-residential buildings, every building must be below the threshold of the 16% worst performers from 2030, and below that of the 26% worst performers from 2033. Countries set further thresholds for 2040 and 2050.

EPBD Article 9(1)

Each country’s path to cut the average primary energy use of its homes, by at least 16% by 2030 and 20 to 22% by 2035, compared with 2020. At least 55% of the cut must come from renovating the 43% worst-performing homes. Countries had to set the trajectory by 29 May 2026.

EPBD Article 9(2)

A building with very high energy performance that needs very little energy, has no on-site emissions from fossil fuels and very low or zero operational emissions. All new buildings must be zero-emission from 1 January 2030, and new buildings owned by public bodies from 1 January 2028.

EPBD Article 11, Article 7(1)

Software and controls that run a building’s heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting automatically and efficiently. Required, where technically and economically feasible, in non-residential buildings whose heating or air-conditioning systems are over 290 kW by 31 December 2024, and over 70 kW by 31 December 2029.

EPBD Article 13(9) to (12)

The conditions inside a building that affect people’s health and wellbeing, such as temperature, humidity, ventilation and pollutants. Countries must set requirements for adequate indoor environmental quality standards in buildings.

EPBD Article 13(4), Article 2(66)

An optional EU rating of how well a building can adapt its operation to the needs of its occupants and of the grid, and improve its efficiency.

EPBD Article 15

A building’s equipment for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, built-in lighting, automation, on-site renewables and storage. Countries set requirements on their overall energy performance, installation and adjustment.

EPBD Article 13

Since 1 January 2025, no public money may go to installing stand-alone boilers that run on fossil fuels. Countries are to strive to replace them. Each renovation plan must set out policies to phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling, with a view to a complete phase-out of fossil-fuel boilers by 2040. Support decided before 2025 under some EU funds is exempt.

EPBD Article 17(15), Article 13(7), Article 3 and Annex II

All the greenhouse gas emissions of a building over its life: making and transporting materials, construction, energy use, replacements and demolition. It must be calculated and shown on the EPC for new buildings over 1 000 m² from 1 January 2028, and for all new buildings from 1 January 2030. Countries had to publish a roadmap for limit values by 1 January 2027.

EPBD Article 7(2) and (5)

The grants, loans, tax breaks and other support countries give for renovation, which must be linked to the energy savings targeted or achieved. Financial incentives must target, as a priority, vulnerable households, people affected by energy poverty and people living in social housing. Deep renovation gets higher support.

EPBD Article 17

An advice centre that guides homeowners, businesses and public bodies through a renovation, from the technical options to financing. At least one per 80 000 inhabitants, per region, or within 90 minutes’ travel, among other options. They must offer independent advice and dedicated services for vulnerable and low-income households.

EPBD Article 18

Education and training so that there are enough workers with the right skills to carry out renovations. Countries must put measures and financing in place, especially for small and medium-sized companies. One-stop shops may help people reach them.

EPBD Article 17(12)