RES-H building obligations
Updated: 06.02.2019
Author: Moïra Jimeno
There is an obligation to use solar thermal collectors for heating water in new buildings (art. 27, n. 2 DL 118/2013). The obligation is applicable whenever there is "suitable solar exposure" (defined by art. 2bb DL 118/2013). Article 2a DL 118/2013 defines sanitary hot water as „potable water with a temperature above 45° C used for baths, cleaning, cooking and other purposes". According to art. 27, n. 3 of DL 118/2013, other forms of renewable energy can be used as an alternative to the solar thermal collectors if they capture the equivalent amount of energy (measured in annual terms). Other forms of RES may include solar photovoltaic panels and small-scale wind turbines, which can be used for other purposes if they are more efficient or convenient and follow the calculation method of the Energy Certification System for Buildings (Ordinance 3156/2016).
Obligated entities
New residential buildings (with adequate sun exposure) and buildings undergoing major interventions (with adequate sun exposure and intervention on water systems) are obliged to use solar thermal collectors for heating water (art. 27 and 29 DL 118/2013 as amended by DL 28/2016). Besides that, according to art. 16 DL 118/2013, buildings certified after 31 December 2020 shall be "nearly zero-energy buildings", meaning that the building has an extremely high energy performance and the nearly zero-energy needs are largely provided by renewable sources, mainly produced on site or nearby.
Competent authority
The Directorate General for Geology and Energy (DGEG) is in charge of the supervision of the SCE (National System for Energy Certification) (art. 10 DL 118/2013) and the Energy Agency (ADENE) is in charge of the management of the system and certification of buildings (art. 11 DL 118/2013).
Further information
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