The energy performance certificate is a key instrument for assessing the energy efficiency of buildings. It is required by law in Austria and serves to provide owners, buyers and tenants with information about the energy requirements of a building. The energy performance certificate contains information on the primary energy demand, the heating demand and the CO₂ emissions of a building. This information is crucial for making an informed decision about the energy consumption and operating costs of a property.

An energy performance certificate is drawn up on the basis of standardised calculations that take into account factors such as the construction method, insulation, type of heating and use of the building. The certificate is usually drawn up by qualified experts, such as architects or energy consultants, and must be updated regularly, particularly in the event of major renovations or a change of ownership.

In Austria, the energy performance certificate is regulated by the Austrian Building Energy Act (GEG). According to this law, energy performance certificates must be presented for all new buildings and for existing buildings that are sold or rented out. This is intended to create transparency and encourage owners to invest in measures to improve energy efficiency.

The energy performance certificate plays an important role in Austria's climate protection strategy, as the building sector accounts for a significant proportion of total energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. In order to achieve the climate targets, it is crucial to reduce energy consumption in the building sector. A high level of energy efficiency not only helps to reduce energy consumption, but also improves living comfort and increases the value of properties.

The importance of the energy performance certificate is reinforced by the increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings. Consumers are attaching more and more importance to sustainability and energy efficiency, which is also reflected in the construction and property sector. The energy performance certificate can therefore serve as a sales argument and improve the market opportunities of a building. Buildings with a good energy performance certificate (e.g. class A or B) are often more sought-after and can achieve higher rents or sales prices.

In recent years, efforts have been made in Austria to further improve and modernise the energy performance certificate. This includes the introduction of additional criteria for assessing the sustainability of buildings, such as the use of environmentally friendly materials or the integration of renewable energies. These developments are part of efforts to make the building sector in Austria and Europe even more sustainable and to support the objectives of the European Green Deal.

To summarise, it can be said that the energy performance certificate is an important instrument for promoting energy efficiency in the building sector. It provides valuable information for owners and tenants and helps to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in Austria. With its focus on sustainability and climate protection, the energy performance certificate will continue to play a central role in shaping the energy market and building policy in the future.