Energy efficiency in buildings and operations is becoming an increasingly important topic. Whether you’re a property owner, entrepreneur, or municipal representative, you should know when an Energy Performance Certificate is required and when an energy audit might be beneficial for you.
Energy Performance Certificate: What Is It and When Do You Need It?
An Energy Performance Certificate is a document that indicates how efficiently a building uses energy. It is mandatory when selling or renting a property, or when applying for certain subsidies for energy-related improvements (such as insulation or photovoltaic systems). The certificate is valid for 10 years, but many property owners forget to renew it—something that can lead to fines of up to CZK 200,000 for municipalities and up to CZK 100,000 for individuals.
This obligation also applies to public administration buildings—state authorities, regional governments, municipalities, and other public institutions must obtain an EPC for buildings with a reference energy area larger than 500 m² (since 2013), and from 2015 even for those over 250 m².
However, the EPC isn’t just about compliance. Many companies use it as a strategic tool—it helps them assess the energy performance of their buildings and plan investments in energy savings more effectively. With increasing pressure to achieve carbon neutrality, demand for energy-efficient buildings is also rising among tenants.
Energy Audit: How Can It Help You Save?
An energy audit is a comprehensive analysis of the energy management system of your company or municipality. It is mandatory for businesses with more than 250 employees, an annual turnover exceeding CZK 1.3 billion, or an annual energy consumption above 5,000 MWh. The audit is valid for 10 years. However, if the entity has a certified energy management system (e.g., according to ISO 50001), the obligation to undergo an energy audit does not apply.
In the public sector, an energy audit is required if the annual energy consumption of the owned energy systems exceeds 500 MWh. This applies to state administration bodies, regional governments, municipalities, publicly funded organizations, and public universities.
Ve veřejném sektoru je energetický audit povinný, pokud roční spotřeba energie vlastněného energetického hospodářství přesáhne 500 MWh. To platí pro státní správu, kraje, obce, příspěvkové organizace a veřejné vysoké školy.
An energy audit can help you:
- Identify areas with the highest energy losses (e.g., lighting, HVAC systems, heating)
- Propose effective energy-saving measures, including no-cost, low-cost, and higher-invest. options with payback
- Determine how to meet the requirements for subsidy programs
- Calculate your carbon footprint and prepare for ESG standards compliance
Is It Worth Investing in an Energy Perfomance Certificate and Energy Audit?
If you’re planning to sell or rent a property, an Energy Performance Certificate is a must. For companies and municipalities looking to reduce energy costs and meet increasing sustainability requirements, an energy audit is
a strategic tool that reveals savings potential and helps optimize operations.
Want to find out how an EPC or audit could benefit your specific case?
Contact us at mail@gatum.cz and we’ll help you find the most effective solution.
Chcete zjistit, jaký přínos může mít PENB nebo audit pro váš konkrétní případ?
Kontaktujte nás na mail@gatum.cz a pomůžeme vám najít nejefektivnější řešení.
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