The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a key piece of European Union legislation aiming to improve the energy efficiency of buildings across EU member states. However, the latest revision highlights indoor air quality and ventilation as key priorities alongside energy efficiency. New and renovated buildings must meet stricter air quality standards, including CO2 and particulate monitoring, with smart, demand-controlled ventilation systems. This ensures healthier, smarter, and more energy-efficient buildings across Europe. Member states must transpose the directive into national or regional law by May 2026. Let’s take a closer look at the EPBD journey:
2002–2018: Paving the way to energy-efficient buildings
The EPBD was already launched in 2002, in the aftermath of the Kyoto Protocol, to curb CO2 emissions by improving building efficiency. It established a common framework for calculating energy performance, set minimum energy standards for new and renovated buildings, mandated energy labels, and required regular inspections of boilers and air-conditioning systems.
The EPBD was first revised in 2010, introducing the “nearly zero-energy building” concept, and again in 2018 to boost renovation rates and align with Europe’s 2050 climate goals.
The EPBD was first revised in 2010, introducing the “nearly zero-energy building” concept, and again in 2018 to boost renovation rates and align with Europe’s 2050 climate goals.
EU building sector: Plenty more work ahead!
Despite extensive efforts and regulatory measures, Europe’s building stock remains highly energy-inefficient, particularly among older buildings.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 85% of EU buildings were constructed before 2000
- 75% of EU buildings are energy-inefficient
- 40% of EU energy is consumed by buildings
- 33% of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings
- 80% of energy in homes goes to heating, cooling, and hot water
And what's even more concerning, the annual renovation rate is only ~1%, meaning it would take centuries to decarbonise the stock at the current pace.
Europe might be on track, but definitely not yet at cruising speed!
Europe might be on track, but definitely not yet at cruising speed!
2024 revision: Time for a new acceleration
In May 2024, the EU adopted a major revision of the EPBD. The new directive aims for a fully carbon-neutral building stock by 2050 and tightens near-term targets. Member states must transpose the directive into national or regional law by May 2026.
In May 2024, the EU adopted a major revision of the EPBD. The new directive aims for a fully carbon-neutral building stock by 2050 and tightens near-term targets. Member states must transpose the directive into national or regional law by May 2026.
Key changes include:
Zero-emission buildings
The directive’s scope has expanded; the focus has shifted from nearly zero-energy buildings toward fully zero-emission buildings. From 2028, all new public buildings must be zero-emission and by 2030, this applies to all new buildings. This means combining high-energy efficiency with on-site renewable energy. Existing buildings must progressively reach zero-emission status by 2050.
The directive’s scope has expanded; the focus has shifted from nearly zero-energy buildings toward fully zero-emission buildings. From 2028, all new public buildings must be zero-emission and by 2030, this applies to all new buildings. This means combining high-energy efficiency with on-site renewable energy. Existing buildings must progressively reach zero-emission status by 2050.
Mandatory renewables
Solar panels will be mandatory for all new constructions, public buildings, and major renovations, ensuring that renewable energy generation becomes a standard feature rather than an optional upgrade. Many buildings will also need to install photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems to provide electricity or hot water. This requirement supports Europe’s climate goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering building energy bills, and contributing to the continent’s overall renewable energy targets.
Solar panels will be mandatory for all new constructions, public buildings, and major renovations, ensuring that renewable energy generation becomes a standard feature rather than an optional upgrade. Many buildings will also need to install photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems to provide electricity or hot water. This requirement supports Europe’s climate goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering building energy bills, and contributing to the continent’s overall renewable energy targets.
Phase-out of fossil heating
The revised EPBD contributes to the gradual phase-out of fossil fuel boilers in the EU. Standalone gas and oil boilers will lose public subsidies from 2025, promoting the adoption of heat pumps, district heating, and other low-carbon alternatives. Considering that the average lifespan of heating systems is approximately 20 years, this measure encourages building owners to transition to low-carbon solutions sooner rather than later. The policy aims to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and stimulate innovation in low-carbon heating technologies across the building sector.
The revised EPBD contributes to the gradual phase-out of fossil fuel boilers in the EU. Standalone gas and oil boilers will lose public subsidies from 2025, promoting the adoption of heat pumps, district heating, and other low-carbon alternatives. Considering that the average lifespan of heating systems is approximately 20 years, this measure encourages building owners to transition to low-carbon solutions sooner rather than later. The policy aims to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and stimulate innovation in low-carbon heating technologies across the building sector.
Stricter renovations
National renovation plans are being strengthened, especially for the worst-performing buildings, ensuring that energy efficiency upgrades happen in a systematic and measurable way. Renovation “passports” will guide phased upgrades, providing a clear roadmap for building owners that prioritise energy savings, indoor air quality, and long-term sustainability. The updated approach also encourages integrated planning, combining insulation, heating system upgrades, ventilation improvements, and renewable energy installations for maximum impact.
National renovation plans are being strengthened, especially for the worst-performing buildings, ensuring that energy efficiency upgrades happen in a systematic and measurable way. Renovation “passports” will guide phased upgrades, providing a clear roadmap for building owners that prioritise energy savings, indoor air quality, and long-term sustainability. The updated approach also encourages integrated planning, combining insulation, heating system upgrades, ventilation improvements, and renewable energy installations for maximum impact.
Indoor air quality and ventilation: A new priority
For the first time, the revised EPBD explicitly incorporates Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) – including indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation – as an objective alongside energy. It defines IEQ and requires member states to set national standards for healthy indoor air.
For the first time, the revised EPBD explicitly incorporates Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) – including indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation – as an objective alongside energy. It defines IEQ and requires member states to set national standards for healthy indoor air.
Key provisions include:
IAQ monitoring
New non-residential zero-emission buildings must install air quality sensors and controls (e.g. CO2 and PM2.5 monitors), and existing buildings must add them when undergoing major renovation. Effective ventilation will need to be demand-controlled: CO2 concentration is now an efficient indicator for ventilation efficiency.
New non-residential zero-emission buildings must install air quality sensors and controls (e.g. CO2 and PM2.5 monitors), and existing buildings must add them when undergoing major renovation. Effective ventilation will need to be demand-controlled: CO2 concentration is now an efficient indicator for ventilation efficiency.
Ventilation rates
Minimum ventilation must be maintained to avoid inadequate ventilation. Building designs must ensure sufficient air exchange (often via energy-recovery ventilation) without wasting energy.
Minimum ventilation must be maintained to avoid inadequate ventilation. Building designs must ensure sufficient air exchange (often via energy-recovery ventilation) without wasting energy.
Building controls
The EPBD expands Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) requirements. By the end of 2029, smaller systems (70 kW+) will need BACS with IAQ monitoring. New homes must use smart thermostatic controls and hydronic balancing to optimise air flows.
The EPBD expands Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) requirements. By the end of 2029, smaller systems (70 kW+) will need BACS with IAQ monitoring. New homes must use smart thermostatic controls and hydronic balancing to optimise air flows.
Smart readiness
The new directive promotes IoT and AI for IEQ. Member States must consider smart readiness indicators (SRI) and ensure control systems can monitor temperature, humidity, ventilation and contaminants. In practice, this means facility managers will increasingly rely on digital sensors and monitoring to meet EPBD requirements. For example, monitoring and maintaining CO2 levels will be critical for ventilation compliance, and the use of low-emission building materials and filters will be necessary to keep PM2.5 and VOCs down.
The new directive promotes IoT and AI for IEQ. Member States must consider smart readiness indicators (SRI) and ensure control systems can monitor temperature, humidity, ventilation and contaminants. In practice, this means facility managers will increasingly rely on digital sensors and monitoring to meet EPBD requirements. For example, monitoring and maintaining CO2 levels will be critical for ventilation compliance, and the use of low-emission building materials and filters will be necessary to keep PM2.5 and VOCs down.
The revised EPBD sets Europe further on course toward healthier, smarter buildings. However, the clock is ticking, literally; as member states must transpose the rules by May 2026 and start enforcement, implementing sensors, renovation plans, and enhanced ventilation.
With measures ranging from mandatory IAQ sensors to demand-controlled ventilation, Europe’s building sector is making steady progress toward a greener, healthier, and more resilient future.
With measures ranging from mandatory IAQ sensors to demand-controlled ventilation, Europe’s building sector is making steady progress toward a greener, healthier, and more resilient future.
Sentera’s smart solutions to support EPBD compliance
To meet the evolving EPBD requirements, reliable monitoring and control of indoor air quality and ventilation are essential.
Sentera offers a wide range of sensors and controllers, and HVAC solutions designed to support demand-controlled ventilation and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). These include sensors for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2), air quality (VOC), toxic gases (CO, LPG) and differential pressure, as well as smart controllers and IoT-enabled monitoring solutions. Together, they help ensure compliance while improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort. As regulations tighten, integrating such technologies will be key to achieving healthier and future-proof buildings.
To meet the evolving EPBD requirements, reliable monitoring and control of indoor air quality and ventilation are essential.
Sentera offers a wide range of sensors and controllers, and HVAC solutions designed to support demand-controlled ventilation and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). These include sensors for temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2), air quality (VOC), toxic gases (CO, LPG) and differential pressure, as well as smart controllers and IoT-enabled monitoring solutions. Together, they help ensure compliance while improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort. As regulations tighten, integrating such technologies will be key to achieving healthier and future-proof buildings.