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 property investors’ holdings towards environmentally sustainable properties. 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 properties. 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 on 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 optimum package was found on the basis of a detailed impact assessment.
Buildwise updated the energy certificates of all three properties. This measure already improved the E-scores due to a change in the energy certificate calculation guidelines a few years ago.
At one site, a significant improvement was achieved simply by revising 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-value 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 performance of the buildings, as well as clear recommendations on the best measures, their costs and their impact on the E figure. 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.The client commissioned Buildwise to carry out energy audits and e-lock surveys. The energy audit reports received by the client exceeded their expectations.
