Energy performance of Buildings in Catalonia related to the year of construction .

In Catalonia, different types of buildings coexist, according to the construction regulations that have been approved and applied over the years.

The year of construction of the building is important when it comes to knowing what thermal insulation regulation is applied in its construction and therefore allows us to know the thermal behaviour of the different walls and enclosures that make up the building.

In this way , the buildings that we will find built according to the construction regulations when they were built, receive the energy ratings (from A to G) that are shown on the table.

Building norms and construction regulations of residential buildings

The different regulations that have defined the characteristics of the “skin” of the buildings in Catalonia are:

Before 1981 there was no specific regulation on the thermal insulation of buildings.

NBE-CT-79 (1981-2006), this regulation already required maximum insulation of thermal transmittance of the different walls , roof , and other enclosures.

NRE-AT-87 (1989-2007 – only applicable in Catalonia), improved some aspects of the regulations (Certification programs do not take into account this norm).

“Technical Building Code. CTE 2006 “(2007-2014), which replaces all the previous regulations and which already requires buildings to use materials and techniques that contribute to energy savings and introduces the obligation to use solar energy systems or any other green energy .

As of March 2014, newly built buildings must apply the new 2013 technical code, which is more restrictive than the previous one.

What might involve having a energy rating letter or another in this classification?

This classification rating provides information on the types of energy costs and primary energy consumption , that means each energy rating letter of the classification and the differences between one energy rating letter and another.

Apart from the energy and economic savings it entails, each upper energy rating letter will also imply a higher quality of life with the reduction of noise and the increase of the comfort and the quality of the materials of the house or building.

New way of building houses “Energy Zero”

As of December 31, 2020, all buildings in Europe must have almost zero energy consumption (nZEB), an objective that, for buildings that are used and owned by public authorities, is towards the end of the year 2018. This is one of the challenges proposed by Directive 2010/31 / EU, of May 19, regarding the energy efficiency of buildings, and which is a related to Directive 2002/91 / EC.

In this respect , there are several initiatives of Research Centers and Administrations that participate in various European programs that aim to advance in these objectives in Catalonia .

IREC, LEITAT, ASCAMM-EURECAT, CIMNE and the Catalan Institute of Energy ( ICAEN) are part of the work groups for the promotion of nZEB buildings.With the aim of contribute and comply with the European regulations, building and rehabilitating buildings so that they achieve high energy efficiency .