The client commissioned Buildwise to carry out energy audits and e-lock surveys. The energy audit reports received by the client exceeded their expectations.
A Nordic public property owner commissioned Buildwise to carry out an energy audit and E-Lock survey for some of its properties in the capital region. The client owns, among other things, several care properties. Of these, three properties with the worst energy efficiency rating were selected for the audit.
The EU taxonomy, the Sustainable Finance Regulation, guides real estate investors’ holdings towards environmentally sustainable assets. In addition, properties must remain competitive in the rental market in order to remain in the portfolio. For example, tenants may have requirements regarding the energy efficiency class of properties they can rent.
The aim of the commissioned project was to find out how to achieve the greatest improvements in energy efficiency and E-factor for the three selected sites. At the same time, Buildwise estimated the costs of the investments.
The energy certificate update alone had a significant impact
Buildwise started its work by carrying out energy audits of properties. These assessed the building services and energy use of the properties, as well as potential energy efficiency improvements. Buildwise then identified which measures would be most effective in terms of energy savings and improving the E-rating.
The project paid particular attention to the fact that not all energy efficiency measures automatically affect the energy performance class of a building. The optimal package was found on the basis of a detailed impact assessment.
Buildwise updated the energy certificates for all three properties. This measure improved the E-scores already due to a change in the energy certificate calculation guidelines a few years ago.
In one case, a significant improvement was achieved simply by checking the building area data. The previous calculation had been based on incorrect data, and when the correct floor areas were taken into account, the E-factor improved significantly.
Useful information on cost-effective measures
As a result of the project, Buildwise delivered a comprehensive energy audit report that exceeded the client’s expectations. The report included a detailed analysis of the energy efficiency of the buildings, as well as clear recommendations on the best measures, their costs and their impact on E-factor. This allowed the client company to budget its energy efficiency investments for the coming years.
The client is considering extending the study to the entire property portfolio in order to optimise the energy efficiency of the portfolio in the long term. Updated energy certificates and accurate data will allow the company to better negotiate with tenants.
Results in numbers
- Potential energy savings of 34% of energy consumption found
- Around €700 000 worth of energy efficiency investments were proposed
- The best investments presented have an IRR of up to 45% and a payback period of around 2 years
