In municipalities across Europe, the importance of realizing energy-efficient homes has never been more pronounced. However, the accessibility, affordability, and attractiveness of deep energy renovations remain uneven for homeowners.
One promising solution lies in the broad implementation of cost-neutral Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) related to the building. The Municipality of Amersfoort (NL), in collaboration with local and regional public authorities, has spearheaded the development of a scalable model for such contracts. This initiative aligns with the goals of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), garnering support from various stakeholders in Dutch civic society.
Yet, despite these efforts, practical challenges persist. Ambiguities surrounding the legal qualification of EPCs for private homeowners pose a significant barrier, stalling progress and leaving pilot projects like Amersfoort's on hold. The uncertainty discourages investments, as service providers and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) face potential administrative risks and fines from national financial authorities.
The root of these legal complexities lies in the European Consumer Credit Directive, necessitating clarity on its scope concerning performance-based services. Resolving this issue is the pivotal first step toward facilitating deep retrofit solutions for privately owned single-family homes.
Thus, the primary objective of the Focus group is to address the legal clarity surrounding credit legislation, laying the groundwork for the broader adoption of performance-based deep retrofit solutions. By doing so, we aim to make deep retrofitting feasible and appealing to all private homeowners, fostering sustainability and energy efficiency on a wider scale.
The Focus group main objectives include:
- Providing insight into the legal qualification of deep retrofit Energy Performance Contracts for private homeowners across Europe, as a service or a credit.
- Identifying obstacles to EPC implementation for private homeowners arising from legal ambiguities.
- Generating responsible solutions to overcome these obstacles.
- Exploring the potential for guidance at the European level to facilitate the implementation of these solutions by Member States.
Who should join the Focus group?
Organisations with experience in and/or ambition for (the development of) (contracts for) innovative performance-based deep retrofit solutions for privately owned single-family homes;
- City councils, Regional councils, National ministries
- ESCo’s
- Energy Service providers
- Experts in financial regulation regarding consumers
- Organisations that are involved in offering Energy Performance Contracts
- Investors in Energy Savings
- European Commission