Supported by

1. EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS (IEE/08/599/SI2.528415) Supported by

2. Energy-efficient buildings Promoting energy certification (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2002/91/EC and its recast). ENFORCE 1 September 2009 31 August 2012

3. Background ENFORCE is the follow-up of ENERBUILDING (EIE/06/196/SI2.444603 end date October 31st 2009). Lesson learnt: Barriers hindering the EPBD implementation: Absence or lack of trust from consumers towards energy auditors – consumers believe that the experts are profit-businesses oriented rather than energy-saving, Shortage of information on energy related issues, Shortage of clear reference / bodies to refer to for qualified and reliable professionals, Actual poor skills and competencies on energy efficiency-saving issues from technicians on average.

4. Background ENFORCE therefore decided to focus on: Information-communication to final consumers Training-coordination of energy sector professionals TO PROMOTE ENERGY BUILDING CERTIFICATION

5. Summary Give final consumersindependent, qualified, information and assistance on energy certification of their buildings, by carrying out 6 national studies on the steps and experience undertaken to implement the EPBD, plus a European comparative study on replicable best-practice; creating a trans-national network of trained energy auditors-operating under a common code of conduct- to assist final consumers on energy performance related topics; operating a call-center for consumers as a first contact point, providing requested information and access to the network; launching an information campaign to promote the call-center and network services, thus qualify the market.

6. Objectives and main steps 6 National + 1 EU comparative study on EPBD implementation Energy-auditor Training Call center and trans-national network creation Call center and network at regime Information campaign

7. Main quantitative results achieved 6 National and 1 European comparative study on steps and experience for EPBD implementation: • 6 analysis at national level (all project countries – Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia - plus Austria) on activities carried out (political, social, educational, dissemination, training, etc.) and results obtained to promote and implement the directive (March 2010) • comparison of national data and identification of European best practices • 1 European report on replicable best-practice (September 2010)

8. Main quantitative results achieved • 5 National networks in each partner country and 1 European of trained, qualified, independent and third-party energy auditsto assist final consumer on energy certification and performance of buildings and related issues; • More than 1.500 professionals trained and 2.056 members in the ENFORCE energy auditors networks; • 59 ENFORCE training courses organised in Italy; Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece; • 23 promotional events and activities involving almost 700 participants.

9. Main quantitative results achieved • A Call-center service for consumers in each partners countryas a first contact point, acting as mediator with the ENFORCE networks; • More than 150.000 calls received from the call centres of the 5 countries; • An estimation of almost 3.000 energy audits implemented in the 5 partner counties and more than 4.000 energy toe saved thorugh the national call centers and the networks.

10. Main quantitative results achieved • European information awareness-building campaign to disseminate comparative analysis results, transfer identified best practice and promote call-center service and ENFORCE network; • More than 75.000 participants in more than 65 national and international dissemination events in 5 EU Member States; • More than 90 press releases and articles that are published in specialized magazines, in local and national newspapers; also 8 interviews to radio, video and TV broadcasts;

11. Main quantitative results achieved • 1 “Energy Efficiency Practical Guide” in English and in other 5 languages widely disseminatted; • More than 45.000 units of other materials (leaflets, cards, posters, etc.) in the language partners distributed; • About 25.000 visitors to the ENFORCE website during the project duration; • 1 International webportal www.enforce-een.eu and 5 national websites per each partners country

12. Main qualitative results achieved • Stakeholders in the project countries met for the first time to discuss energy performance and certification of the buildings; • A learning and market development process was started in the 5 project countries which will be continued through increased awareness and knowledge as well as range of activities which resulted from ENFORCE project. • The project activities managed to create a very positive interest on European level, including national and international events and a good cooperation with the Concerted Action of Energy Performance of Building Directive. • Training courses organised in the participant countries attended by professionals and junior actors with excellent results and good evaluation of the contents and professional –teachers.

13. Main qualitative results achieved - Creation of the “ENFORCE energy auditors network” with a common working methodology in all the countries and establishment of an informal network “European ENFORCE Group” created in LinkedIn to share experience and information among energy auditors to continue successfully also after the end of the project; • Call-centres for consumers in all the partners’ countries providing advice and information about the ENFORCE energy auditors network. In some countries energy audits in the households were carried out and the energy category indicators were included (A, B, C ...etc.); • An information-awareness campaign in all the countries including practical guides, round tables, workshops, conferences, participation in sectorial fairs and media communications. The campaign was excellent with significant coverage in daily and technical press as well as in relevant on line media.

14. Lessons learnt • A large variety of national situations: • In Europe the level of the EPBD implementation varies largely from country to country which leads to different country situation. • This large variety of national situations has had positive and negative effects on the ENFORCE project development, such as many case studies to compare but on the other side too many case studies to compare with different results from each other.

15. Lessons learnt 2. Knowledge and information request from consumers and professionals: • In all countries there is a large request from consumers of reliable and trusty information on energy efficiency issues • On the other side there is also a large request of training from the sector experts, especially of newly graduated students who are eager to work as energy auditors.

16. Lessons learnt 3. The policy support is essential to allow energy performance certification of buildings to deliver its full potential in economic and environmental terms. The most important instruments are: • Full transposition of the EU Directive; • Strengthening the EPC of buildings in the national and regional plans of energy efficiency; • Dedicated financial support through well-designed programmes, possibly also from existing programmes that support energy efficiency measures in residential and building sector

17. Lessons learnt 3. The policy support is essential to allow energy performance certification of buildings to deliver its full potential in economic and environmental terms. The most important instruments are: • Full transposition of the EU Directive; • Strengthening the EPC of buildings in the national and regional plans of energy efficiency; • Dedicated financial support through well-designed programmes, possibly also from existing programmes that support energy efficiency measures in residential and building sector

18. Coordinator ADICONSUM is involved in many projects / initiatives at national and European level to promote energy efficiency (coordinator also of ENERBUILDING) www.adiconsum.it Coordinated by ADICONSUM (Associazione Difesa Consumatori Ambiente) Italian Consumer and Environment Association

19. Consortium Mediterranean countries – similar buildings

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