Implementationof the EPBD in

1. Introduction

The Energy Performance of BuildingsDirective (Directive 2010/31/EU ‐ EPBD)sets out numerous requirements includingthe certification of buildings’ energyperformance, inspection regimes forboilers and Air‐Conditioning (AC) systems,and requirements for new Nearly Zero‐Energy Buildings (NZEBs). The EPBD alsosets minimum energy performancestandards for buildings undergoingrenovation. Together, the EnergyEfficiency Directive (EED) and the EPBDprovide a framework to reduce energy usein buildings, thereby delivering a range ofeconomic, environmental, societal andenergy security benefits. The Ministry ofEnvironment and the Ministry of Energyare jointly responsible for thetransposition and implementation of theEPBD in Lithuania.

The EPBD and national calculation methodsof cost‐optimal levels of minimum energyperformance requirements weretransposed into Lithuanian legislation intime, and now Lithuania is in the processof implementing its requirements. Themain requirements were introduced intoLithuanian legislation through the Law onConstruction and the Law on Energy, andare further detailed in technicalregulations, splitting energy efficiencyrequirements into all steps of planning,designing and constructing buildings.

2. Current status ofImplementation of the EPBD

I. ENERGY PERFORMANCEREQUIREMENTS

I.i. Progress and current statusEnergy certification as a mandatoryrequirement for new buildings came intoforce on 1 January 2007. New buildings(building units) must be certified afterconstruction has been completed. Theenergy performance class of new buildings(building units) may not be lower than B,when the building permit is granted after1 January 2014. The permit forconstruction will not be issued if theenergy efficiency class of the designedbuilding is not in line with mandatoryrequirements. After the building isfinished, it must fully comply with therequirements.

When buildings (building units) areoffered for sale or for rent, the energyperformance indicator, which is part ofthe Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)of the building (or building unit) should bestated in advertisements in commercialmedia. This requirement came into forceon 9 January 2013.

Renovated or refurbished buildings, whenthe cost of renovation works amounts tomore than 25% of the building’s value,must conform to the following energyperformance requirements:

AUTHORSEdita Meškauskienė,Nina Česonienė,The Ministry ofEnvironment of theRepublic ofLithuania

Lina Taparavičiūtė,The Ministry ofEnergy of theRepublic ofLithuania

Robertas Encius,Certification Centreof Building Products(SPSC)

Vytautas Abrutis,state enterpriseEnergy Agency

Birutė Jagminienė,The Lithuanian StateEnergy Inspectorate

Eglė Pliuskuvienė,The Housing EnergyEfficiency Agency(BETA)

NATIONAL WEBSITESwww.am.lt, www.enmin.lt, www.spsc.lt, www.betalt.lt, www.ena.lt, www.vei.lt

STATUS IN DECEMBER 2014Lithuania

a) For permits for construction worksobtained before 1 January 2014, theenergy performance class after majorrenovation must not be lower than D.

b) For permits for construction worksobtained after 1 January 2014, theenergy performance class after majorrenovation must not be lower than C.

The requirements for energy performanceclass are not obligatory for existingbuildings or building units for sale or rent,but the evaluation procedure andcertification requirements for existingbuildings and following major renovationare in force since 1 January 2009.

The energy performance class of largebuildings or building units with a heatedarea (total useful floor area) over 500 m2

occupied by a public authority andfrequently visited by the public, aftermajor renovation, must not be lower thanD. This requirement came into force on9 January 2013.

I.ii. Format of nationaltransposition and implementationof existing regulations

The main provisions on the energyperformance of buildings are described inthe Law on Construction and the Law onEnergy of the Republic of Lithuania. Thecalculation procedure is defined in BuildingTechnical Regulation STR 2.01.09:2012“Energy Performance of Buildings;Certification of Energy Performance”,adopted on 21 August 2012 by Order No.D‐1‐674 of the Minister of Environment.The Building Technical Regulation cameinto force on 9 January 2013 and is anamended version of a previous regulation.The new version includes many essentialamendments, including an inter aliadefinition of low energy buildings ‐buildings of energy efficiency class B, A, A+

and Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) asclass A++ buildings.

The building energy performance class isdetermined in accordance with the valuesof the following 8 parameters:

1) the calculated specific heat loss of thebuilding envelope;

2) energy consumption for heating thebuilding;

3) building airtightness;4) technical indicators of mechanical

ventilation, including heat recoverysystem;

5) thermal properties of partitionsbetween the floors and spans;

6) building energy performance indicatorC1 value, describing the non‐renewable

primary energy efficiency of heating,ventilation, cooling and lighting;

7) building energy performance indicatorC2 value describing the primary non‐renewable energy efficiency forDomestic Hot Water (DHW);

8) building energy consumption ofrenewable resources.

All parameters are equally important, andno priority is given to one of them whendetermining the energy performanceclass. However, the best classes requirecalculation of more parameters than thelower classes. For example, for energyclasses A++, A+, A and B, it is mandatory tocalculate both the C1 and C2 parameters,but for any other energy class it is onlymandatory to calculate C1:

> A++ class: C1 < 0.25 and C2 ≤ 0.70;> A+ class: 0.25 ≤ C1 < 0.375 and C2 ≤ 0.80;> A class: 0.375 ≤ C1 < 0.5 and C2 ≤ 0.85;> B class: 0.5 ≤ C1 < 1 and C2 ≤ 0.99;> C class: 1 ≤ C1 < 1.5;> D class: 1.5 ≤ C1 < 2;> E class: 2 ≤ C1 < 2.5;> F class: 2.5 ≤ C1 < 3;> G class: C1 ≥ 3.For example, for classes up to B, thermalbridges can be calculated in a precise way,or simply characterised by using tabulateddefault values from STR 2.01.09:2012. ForA, A+ and A++ classes, thermal bridges mustbe calculated individually. Passive solarprotection devices must be calculated forall classes. Calculation of the portion ofenergy consumption from renewableresources is possible for all classes, butmandatory only for the A+ and A++ classes.

The system allows for setting uprequirements for all types of buildings andintended uses, and even for various sizesand shapes of buildings, without settingout absolute values for primary energyconsumption, which would varysignificantly for different indoortemperatures (e.g., +5 oC for storagebuildings and +20 oC for residentialbuildings). When calculating the C1parameter values, all the minimumrequirements are to be respected.Furthermore, the system allows forincreased requirements for allperformance classes without changing theclassification and calculation methods.Such changes of requirements have takenplace twice in Lithuania since Directive2002/91/EC was implemented. The systemallows for setting minimum requirementsfor certain parameters and certain classes.It provides opportunities for a continuousbut flexible system respecting central

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aspects for certain classes. See othersections of this report for examples.

The calculation procedure inSTR 2.01.09:2012 is based on themethodology included in standardsEN 15217:2005 and EN 15603. Thetabulated values in STR 2.01.09:2012have been updated and enhanced.The calculation software tool has beenupdated according to the above changesas well. The tool also allows separatecalculation for several parts of thebuilding with different requirements.

I.iii. Cost­optimal procedure forsetting energy performancerequirementsThe new Building Technical RegulationSTR 2.01.09:2012 includes therequirements for cost‐optimal levels ofminimum energy performancerequirements for all categories ofbuildings, new and existing. Therequirements conform to the requirementsestablished for energy class C buildings.

New buildings

The cost‐optimal requirements for new,single‐family, multi‐family, office andeducation buildings are based on the‘financial perspective’ calculation using areal discount rate of 3% (based oncalculations from 1,080 cases).

According to the results of thecalculation, the difference between cost‐optimal levels of new buildings andnormative requirements of the RegulationNo. 244/2012 delegated by the EUCommission range approximately between‐34% up to 2016 (Class B), and ‐10% after2016 (Class A).

The requirements for cost‐optimal levels ofminimum energy performance conform tothe requirements established in thenational regulation for class A buildings.The national regulation decrees that theenergy performance class of new buildingsand/or building units must not be lowerthan B when the construction permit isgranted after 1 January 2014, and it mustnot be lower than A when the constructionpermit is granted after 1 January 2016.

Requirements for new residential buildingenvelope heat transfer coefficients(U, W/m2.K) and thermal resistances(R, m2.K/W) were set out many yearsbefore the EPBD came into force. Therequirements of different regulations arecompared in Table 1.

STR 2.01.09:2012 normative requirementsfor thermal insulation of residential buildingenvelopes are presented in Table 2.

STR 2.01.09:2012 sets out the overallU‐factor U(A) (W/m2.K) values forcalculation of specific heat losses for

Table 1:Development of heattransfer coefficients(U, W/m2.K) andthermal resistances(R ­ m2.K/W) for newresidential buildings.

Table 2:STR 2.01.09:2012normativerequirements forthermal insulation ofresidential buildingenvelopes.

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buildings of various purposes with energyperformance class A, as presented in Table 3.

Existing buildings

New legal requirements for energyperformance for existing buildings aftermajor renovation are established inRegulation STR 2.01.09:2012. Theserequirements were implemented from1 January 2014.

The requirements for existing single‐family, multi‐family, office and educationbuildings after major renovation on cost‐optimal levels are also based on the‘financial perspective’ calculation using areal discount rate of 3% (based oncalculations from 720 cases).

According to the results of thecalculation, from 1 January 2014 thedifference between the cost‐optimal levelof existing buildings and normativerequirements varies approximately from‐4.8% to ‐13%. Thus, the requirements forcost‐optimal levels of minimum energyperformance conform to the requirementsfor buildings of class C. A one‐yeartransitional period was set up to achieveallowable limits: the energy performanceclass of renovated buildings and/orbuilding units must not be lower than Dwhen the permit for construction workswas granted before 1 January 2014, and itmust not be lower than C for permitsgranted after 1 January 2014.

I.iv. Action plan for progressiontowards Nearly Zero­EnergyBuildings (NZEBs)

National application of the NZEBdefinition

The main purpose of the prepared nationalplan was to describe the key steps toincrease the number of high energyperformance buildings and NZEBs inLithuania. The national plan was not adoptedas a separate document but consists ofimportant parts of several legal acts.

First, the new calculation methodologyaccording to the EPBD requirements wasprepared and came into force in February2012. The calculation software tool wascorrected according to the changes in thecalculation methodology as well. Thedefault data in the software tool’sselection tables was enlarged accordingly.Classification was enhanced, introducingadditional A+ and A++ classes.

Based on the definition of NZEB that allowedthe use of the existing classification system,the corresponding calculation methodologyand software tools were set up inSTR 2.01.09:2012: “Nearly‐Zero EnergyBuildings ‐ buildings which meet therequirements of the A++ energy efficiencyclass; that is, buildings with a very highenergy performance, where energyconsumption is almost zero or very low; mostof the energy consumed is covered by energyfrom Renewable Energy Sources (RES),including RES produced on‐site or nearby”.

The total amount of renewable primaryenergy consumed in a building should bemore than half of the primary energyconsumed for the building’s heating,cooling and ventilation systems.Regulation STR 2.01.09:2012 defines thisrequirement as in the formula in Box 1.

STR 2.01.09:2012 includes a plan withmilestones, which was updated and madepublicly available for contractors,investors and future owners:

> From 2014 the energy performance classof new buildings or building units mustnot be lower than B;

> From 2016 the energy performance classof new buildings or building units mustnot be lower than A;

> From 2018 the energy performance classof new buildings or building units mustnot be lower than A+;

> From 2021 the energy performance classof new buildings or building units mustnot be lower than A++.

Table 3:Overall U­factor

U(A) (W/m2.K) valuesfor calculation of

specific heat losses ofenergy performance

class A buildingsaccording to

STR 2.01.09:2012.

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Additional compulsory trainings ofcertification experts were planned andcarried out, emphasising the need fordissemination of knowledge.

Cost‐optimal levels were calculated fornew and existing residential houses withone or two apartments, multi‐storyresidential buildings, and educational andadministrative buildings, according to therequirements of the Commission DelegatedRegulation (EU) No. 244/2012 andGuidelines 2012/C 115/01. Determinationof the cost‐optimal level for NZEB was notthe main purpose of these calculations, butthe findings show that, in Lithuania, thesame goals determined for NZEB could beachieved by using biofuel energy forheating and hot water. However, not everyplayer in the construction market coulduse biofuel boilers, as the central heatingsystem network has been installed and isstill in use in many Lithuanian towns.

To determine cost‐optimal levels suitablefor all Lithuanian construction marketplayers, only such facilities/selections/variants which could be used throughoutLithuania were evaluated.

According to the results of thecalculations, it can be concluded that thetotal costs of construction and energyusage for NZEBs, based on the 2012economic indicators, are much higherthan cost‐optimal levels.

Figures and statistics on existing NZEBs

By the end of 2014 approximately 90,700EPCs had been issued in Lithuania. Thereare no buildings with A++ energyperformance class (in other words, NZEB),but there are 6 EPCs registered with A+

energy performance class and 29 EPCs withA energy performance class (by the end of2014). All EPCs are collected in the centraldatabase and published on the websitewww.spsc.lt. The certificates for classes A,A+ and A++ are published in a separatesection of the website, for better visibilityof high performance buildings.

I.v. Implementation of the EnergyEfficiency Directive (EED)regarding building renovationand the exemplary role of publicbuildingDeep renovations are specificallyencouraged by the Energy EfficiencyDirective (Directive 2012/27/EU ‐ EED)through the requirement to establish

long‐term strategies for the renovationof the national building stock covering allbuilding types, including residential andnon‐residential buildings, whether inprivate or public ownership.

Regarding implementation of Article 4 ofthe EED, the long‐term plan for therenovation of the national building stockwas adopted on 10 March 2015 as part ofthe National Energy Efficiency Action Plan(NEEAP). The long‐term plan covers all fivesubjects which are under the obligation ofthe EED: an overview of the nationalbuilding stock, cost‐effective approaches torenovation, policies and measuresstimulating deep renovations,a forward‐looking perspective to guidedecisions of individuals and theconstruction industry, as well as expectedenergy savings and other benefits.

The targets of the long‐term plan for2020 are:

1) to renovate 3,500 ‐ 4,000 multi‐apartment buildings (9% ‐ 11% of themulti‐apartment building stock);

2) to renovate 700,000 m2 of the buildingstock owned by the centralgovernment (5% ‐ 6% of the centralgovernment building stock).

It has been calculated that afterimplementing these measures,785 ‐ 885 GWh of heating energy shouldbe saved (based on calculations from2013) or 199,000 ‐ 225,000 tonnes ofCO2 equivalent.

The targets of the long‐term plan for2030 are:

1) to renovate more than 4,000 multi‐apartment buildings (10% ‐ 11% of themulti‐apartment building stock);

2) to renovate no less than 800,000 m2 ofthe building stock owned by thecentral government (6% ‐ 7% of thecentral government building stock).

It has been calculated that afterimplementing these measures228,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent will besaved.

Regarding implementation of Article 5 ofthe EED, the programme for improvingenergy efficiency in public buildings wasadopted by the Government on26 November 2014. The target of theprogramme is to improve energyefficiency in public buildings that areused for administrative, cultural,

Box 1:Requirements forNZEB as defined byBuilding TechnicalRegulationSTR 2.01.09:2012.

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educational, recreational, medical andother purposes. The programme brieflydescribes the situation of the existingbuildings. According to information fromthe state enterprise Centre ofRegisters[1], 13,123 public buildings whichare owned by the government andmunicipalities were registered up to1 January 2014. The total area of thesebuildings is 14,8 million m2, which isaround 35% of all buildings owned by thecentral government and municipalities.Around 5,500 of these buildings(5.9 million m2) are owned by the centralgovernment and 7,600 (8.9 million m2) bythe municipalities. The majority of thesebuildings were built between 1900 and1990. Currently, these buildings do notcomply with the energy efficiencyrequirements, and around 2,300 GWH isused for heating in these buildings. Twomajor 2020 sub‐targets are set in theprogramme: the renovation sub‐target forpublic buildings owned by thegovernment is 470,000 m2 (for which theMinistry of Energy is responsible) and therenovation sub‐target for public buildingsowned by the municipalities is 230,000 m2

(for which the Ministry of Environment isresponsible). The primary yearly energysavings from these measures arecalculated as 60 GWh and 14,000 tonnesof CO2 equivalent will be saved by 2020.It is clearly stated that only the buildingswhich have an energy performancecertificate with energy performance classbelow C can participate in thisprogramme.

II. REQUIREMENTS FORTECHNICAL BUILDINGSYSTEMS (TBS)

II.i. Coverage of heating,domestic hot water, air­conditioning and large ventilationsystems

The Building Technical RegulationSTR 2.09.02:2005 “Heating, Cooling andAir Conditioning” is applied to design andconstruction of heating, hot water, ACand ventilation systems in buildings. Allminimum requirements set for heating,cooling, hot water and ventilationsystems are described in this regulationand are in line with the Regulation (EU)No 305/2011, and are mandatory fornew, refurbished, replaced and upgradedTechnical Building Systems (TBS).

The requirements lay down the basicprinciple that TBS must be designed inaccordance with the intended use of thebuilding, and they also contain theprocess requirements.

Systems must use a minimum amount ofenergy but reduction of indoor air qualityis not acceptable as a means to saveenergy.

Building system characteristics must becalculated individually according to theenergy performance requirements for thewhole building or building unit.

Construction works and their heating,cooling, lighting and ventilation systemsmust be designed and built in such a waythat the amount of energy they requireshould be lower than the legalrequirements, taking into account itspattern of occupancy and of the climaticconditions of the location. All thesesystems, as parts of the building, mustsatisfy the basic requirements forconstruction works for an economicallyreasonable expected working life.

If there are special requirements formicroclimate and air quality in buildings,the parameters for systems design aretaken from hygienic, technological andnormative regulations in the nationallegislation. When designing heating,ventilation and AC systems, therequirements for all parts of the buildingshould be considered in the calculations:building location, thermal, airtightness,architectural and constructionalcharacteristics, materials for structureand interior design, heat emission,moisture and pollution from occupants,equipment, etc., climate conditions andindoor air quality, as well as otherfactors and specific building purposerequirements.

II.ii. Applicability to new,replacement and upgradedsystems in existing buildingsSince 2014, Lithuania has been applyingupdated system requirements for new,replaced and upgraded systems inexisting buildings. They became stricterfor buildings and building units andshould be applied as they aretechnically, economically andfunctionally feasible (Table 4).

If a building has a mechanical AC systemwith recuperation system, energyefficiency requirements set out inregulation STR 2.01.09:2012 apply onlyto higher classes.

[1] www.registrucentras.lt

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II.iii. Provisions for installation,dimensioning, adjustment andcontrolDuring the construction process, thedesigner is responsible for the entireprocess. It is not possible to recognise abuilding as fit for use without control ofall systems in use in the building.

II.iv. Encouragement ofintelligent meteringThe Law on Heat Sector of the Republic ofLithuania requires measurements to beperformed through one centrally installedheating meter for the whole building.

Implementing the EED Article 9, Part 3,which states that individual meters shouldbe installed for end‐users, Lithuaniainitiated a research study to clarifywhether it is physically possible andeconomically feasible to install individualmeters to all end‐users. The study isplanned to be finished at the end ofFebruary 2015.

II.v. Encouragement of activeenergy­saving control(automation, control andmonitoring)The Law on the Heat Sector (Article 33)states that the maximum rate of heatconsumption in multi‐apartment buildingsmust obey the following provisions:

1. The National Commission for EnergyControl and Prices shall determine and,if necessary, change the maximum heatconsumption rates for multi‐apartmentbuildings and other spaces. These ratesare published and available to thepublic. They are applied to multi‐apartment buildings, which inefficientlyconsume energy and do not meet theminimum energy efficiencyrequirements. Government authoritiesdetermine whether a multi‐apartmentbuilding consumes energy efficientlyand/or if mandatory energy efficiencyrequirements are satisfied.

2. The municipal authority may imposemore stringent maximum heat

consumption rates for multi‐apartmentbuildings and other premises than theNational Commission for Energy Controland Prices, if the saved expenses forheating costs after the implementationof energy efficiency measures coverconsumers’ investment costs for energysaving measures. Energy expenses forheating, which are saved after theimplementation of energy efficiencymeasures, are determined inaccordance with the proceduresapproved by the Ministry of Energy andthe Ministry of the Environment.

3. The municipal authority has the rightto oblige the owners of multi‐apartment buildings, apartments andother premises which exceeded themaximum heat consumption rate torenovate the building's heating and/orhot water systems and/or performother renovation/modernisationactions in accordance with themandatory requirements withintwenty‐four months, as described inthe Governmental procedures, andthus to ensure compliance withminimum energy performancerequirements of multi‐apartmentbuildings.

4. Owners of multi‐apartment buildingsand/or other premises have the rightto use the support procedureestablished by the Government in therenovation/modernisation programmeof multi‐apartment buildings and otherfunds to implement the obligations ofPart 3 of this article.

5. The Heat supply and consumptionrules were approved by the Minister ofEnergy on 25 October 2010. Theydescribe the installation andmaintenance of heat meters,modernisation of heat substations,reconstruction of heat devices,installation and maintenance of hotwater meters, reconstruction of hotwater devices, building’s heating andhot water systems’ maintenancecoverage and quality requirements, aswell as other issues.

Table 4:Minimumrequirements for TBSfor high­performingbuildings.

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III. ENERGY PERFORMANCECERTIFICATES (EPCs)REQUIREMENTS

III.i. Progress and current statuson sale or rental of buildings

Overview and administration system

All new buildings and building units mustbe certified after construction iscompleted, or when the buildings orbuilding units are offered for sale or forrent. More than 90,700 EPCs were issuedin Lithuania (at the end of 2014) since thesystem was implemented inJanuary 2007.

In Lithuania all EPCs are collected in thecentral database and register. Thedatabase and register are continuouslyupdated according to the requirements ofthe Building Technical Regulation. EveryQualified Expert (QE) has an obligation tosend all issued EPCs to the centraldatabase.

More than 80% of registered certificateswere issued since January 2013, after newrequirements for certification of energyperformance of buildings came into force.On average, 100 ‐ 150 certificates areissued daily, i.e., about. 3,500certificates monthly.

The central register is published on thewebsite www.spsc.lt and can be used byrelated institutions, specialists andindividuals (Figure 1). Since July 2014, alldata were also transferred to the RealEstate Property Register and Cadastre.

How flats are certified in apartmentbuildings

For new multi‐apartment buildings, an EPCis necessary for acceptance of a buildingas fit for use, so there is no need tocertify separate apartments. The sameapplies to buildings after majorrenovation. In the case of sale or rent ofexisting buildings, it is possible to certify aseparate apartment, if the whole buildingis not yet certified. For apartments inexisting buildings, it is possible to issue atypical EPC without detailed calculationsfor the specific apartment.

Format and content of the EPC

The EPC of a building or building partmust include the following data: a uniquenumber of the building, address, purpose,useful area, energy performance class andestimated sum of energy inputs per m2 ofuseful floor area of the building (primaryand final energy), data on the mainenergy source and energy consumption forheating (primary and final energy),reference number of the EPC, date ofissue and expiry date of the EPC, name,certificate number and signature of theexpert who issued the EPC (Figures 2 and3). Every EPC must also include detailedcalculation results and recommendationsfor improvement.

EPC activity levels

By the end of 2014, 90,700 EPCs had beenissued in Lithuania. Collection andregistration of EPCs in the central databaseallows for quality control, statisticalanalysis and monitoring processes.Approximately 82,400 registered EPCs

(above) Figure 2:Format of EPCs in

Lithuania.

Figure 3:Public building with

energy performanceclass A.

(top) Figure 1:Central register ofEPCs in Lithuania.

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concern residential buildings (including EPCsfor apartments in multi‐family houses) and8,300 EPCs non‐residential buildings (Figure4). Of these, 29 EPCs were issued withenergy performance class A, 6 EPCs withenergy performance class A+, and no EPCswith energy performance class A++ (at theend of 2014). Most EPCs with high energyperformance classes A and A+ were issuedfor residential buildings. The energyconsumption for heating of these houses,according to registered EPCs, variesbetween 23 kWh/m2.year and25 kWh/m2.year.

Typical EPC costs

In Lithuania there are no fixed or pre‐defined prices for certification of energyperformance of buildings. The EPC costsare regulated by the market and varybetween 100 € and 5,000 € depending ontype, location, complexity, size,construction details and many otherfactors of the building. For an EPC of anapartment in a multi‐apartment building,the certification costs are approximately100 €, and for a typical simplified EPC ofan apartment in an existing building, withwell‐known typical poor energyperformance and energy consumption, thecertification costs are approximately 5 €.The certification costs of a simple single‐family residence vary between 100 € and270 €. The fixed registration fee for anEPC is 6 € and part of the fee is used tofinance Quality Assurance (QA).

Assessor corps

The experts training programme, materialfor expert certification, rules, andprocedures for experts and theirresponsibilities were updated in 2012 and2014. The new training programme andmethodical material for QEs wereprepared and adopted by the Ministry ofEnvironment. Expert training andcertification organisations remain thesame as designated in 2012.

Instead of 5 years validity, now thelicense of a QE is valid for an unlimitedperiod, but the expert must undertake anadditional 20 hours of training and pass anexam every 5 years. In Lithuania there areno requirements that a QE must issue aminimum number of EPCs.

The main qualification requirements forexperts for building certification are thesame for all types of buildings: anengineering diploma with 3 years ofexperience in construction, a special32‐hour training course and exam,practical experience of certification of 3buildings. The Experts Training Programme

and software tool were developed andadopted by the Minister of Environment in2006 and updated in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

In Lithuania there is an updated, publiclyavailable database and official register ofQEs. At the end of 2014, Lithuania hadapproximately 350 QEs with validcertificates for certification of energyperformance of buildings, and about halfof these QEs are actively working in themarket. In Lithuania only a QE can issuean EPC and is responsible for an objectivecertification process (Figure 5).

Compliance levels by sector

For new buildings an EPC is necessary foracceptance of a building as fit for use andis always controlled by the commission ofacceptance of buildings as fit for use. Thesame is applicable for buildings aftermajor renovation. In the case of sale orrent of existing buildings, EPCs arecarefully checked by a notary during thesigning of real estate contracts.

That is why the number of EPCssignificantly increased in January 2013,after new requirements for certificationof energy performance of buildings cameinto force (Figure 6). Newly constructedbuildings and buildings after majorrenovation cannot be accepted by thecommission if the energy performanceclass, as evidenced by an EPC, is lowerthan required. That is why there is a 100%

Figure 4:Certified residential andnon­residentialbuildings (buildingunits) in Lithuania2007­2014 (status atthe end of 2014).

Figure 5:Qualified Expertcertificate.

Figure 6:Evolution of EPCsissued in Lithuania2007­2014.

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compliance with the requirement to issuean EPC for every new building and everymajor renovation. In approximately85% ‐ 90% of the EPCs for existingbuildings, the energy performance class islower than required by the regulations.

Quality Assurance (QA) of EPCs

Lithuania has the same Quality Assurance(QA) system for different kinds ofbuildings. All EPCs have been collected inthe central database and register since2007/2009 (for new and existing buildings,respectively). The following details ofevery received EPC are checked bysoftware: input data, calculation softwareversion used, validation of QEs’certification and QEs’ training.

EPCs are selected for a desk audit whenthe values are out of range, or when theEPC has a very high energy‐performanceclass. A more detailed audit is requiredfollowing client complaints, if the QE hassubmitted a number of EPCs that requirecorrection, or at random according to thetargeted percentage (not less than 0.5% ofall issued EPCs).

Possible sanctions for incorrect EPCsinclude a warning, the obligation to issuea correct EPC for free, invalidation of theEPC, suspension of the QE’s certification,or cancellation of the QE’s certification.There are no financial or legal penalties

for incorrect and/or insufficientcertification works for QEs.

In 2013, 39,955 EPCs were registered inLithuania and 587 EPCs were returned tothe QEs for correction due to mistakesand/or inaccuracies. Eight (8) EPCs werecontrolled through on‐site detailed visits.

The QEs were informed and/or warnedabout mistakes and were asked to re‐issuea correct EPC without charge.

This QA scheme is quite simple andeffective (Figure 7).

III.ii. Progress and current statuson public and large buildingsvisited by the public

Overview

According to the requirement of the Lawon Construction of 9 January 2013 forbuildings with a total useful floor areaover 500 m2 constructed for hotel,administrative, trade, services, catering,transportation, cultural, educational,healthcare or leisure purposes, occupiedby the public and frequently visited bythe public, energy performancecertification is mandatory. An EPC, noolder than 10 years, must be placed in thebuilding in a prominent place clearlyvisible to the public (Figure 8).

Compliance with this requirement iscontrolled by the municipality that carriesout supervision of building maintenance.

For new public buildings, as well as forexisting buildings undergoing majorrenovation, an EPC is always controlled bythe Commission of acceptance ofbuildings. Notaries also ensure there is anEPC during signing of real estate contractsfor public buildings.

From 9 July 2015, the threshold of 500 m2

will be lowered to 250 m2.

Figure 8:EPC on display in an

existing publicbuilding.

Figure 7:Quality assurance

scheme in Lithuania.

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Format and content of the EPC

In Lithuania, the EPC, the assessors, thecosts and the quality control scheme forpublic buildings and large buildings visitedby the public are the same as forresidential and other non‐residentialbuildings.

Activity levels

At the end of 2014, approximately8,300 EPCs have been registered for non‐residential buildings. Certification ofenergy performance of public buildings ismandatory in Lithuania. An average of 20%of the controlled buildings are publicbuildings.

III.iii. Implementation ofmandatory advertisingrequirementAccording to the Law on Construction inLithuania of 9 January 2013, whenexisting and new buildings or buildingunits are offered for sale or for rent, theenergy performance indicator of the EPCof the building or building unit, asapplicable, should be stated in theadvertisements in commercial media.

At the moment there are no legal orfinancial penalties established or appliedin Lithuania, and the control mechanism isnot developed. The Ministry ofEnvironment is responsible for the wholeprocess and is seeking to influenceproperty owners and real estate agenciesthrough several publications andinformation campaigns.

Detailed official information, texts andtools are available on the nationalwebsites. Primary information and relatedlegislation are already available on thenational websites[2].

III.iv. Information campaignsThe Lithuanian Housing Strategy wasapproved by the Lithuanian Governmenton 21 January 2004. One of the goals ofthis document is to ensure efficient use,maintenance and major renovation of theexisting housing and efficient energy use.With the aim to accelerate the insulationof multi‐apartment houses and themodernisation of their energy systems,the Programme for the Modernisation ofMulti‐apartment Houses was approved byResolution No. 1213 of the Governmentof the Republic of Lithuania on23 September 2004. It is being revised,envisaging additional financial and othermeasures aimed at encouragingapartment owners to renovate multi‐apartment houses and involving low‐

income population in the implementationof such projects.

The Public Company Housing EnergyEfficiency Agency (BETA) gives specialattention to publicity while developingmulti–apartment building renovation(modernisation) programmes. The maingoals of the publicity campaign are toencourage flat owners to join theprogramme, increase public awareness ofthe programme, ensure that informationwill be effectively provided to all targetgroups seeking to take an advantage ofthe programme’s support, and developpositive public opinion about theprogramme. The primary target group arethe final beneficiaries, being residents ofapartments, chairmen of multi‐apartmentassociations and administrators, as well asthe programme administrators appointedby the municipality.

The secondary target group areassociations related to the renovationprocess, local and national authorities,independent experts, opinion leaders andmedia, among others. The most importantfocus is on the final beneficiaries duringthis communication process.

The most important activities of thecampaigns consist of organising:

> seminars for residents, for projectmanagers, for chairmen of multi‐apartment associations, for investmentplanners, for engineers, for contractingcompanies, etc.;

> an annual conference to summarise theresults achieved during the year; theconference is organised by themunicipal mayors and administrators ofthe projects that are beingimplemented;

> ‘Renovation days’ in different cities ofLithuania; representatives of theMinistry of Environment and HousingEnergy Efficiency Agency meet withresidents and other participants in therenovation process in different cities.

Other activities include:> a free consultation line;> a temporary website for each activity;> printed hand‐outs (leaflets and posters);> a detailed guide (handbook), describing

all the steps in the entire renovation(for project managers);

> a long‐term media project on the mostpopular internet portal www.delfi.lt;

> an intensive information campaign inregional media;

> articles in national and specialisedmedia.

[2] www.am.lt, www.spsc.lt, www.betalt.lt, www.enmin.lt

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III.v. Coverage of the nationalbuilding stockMore than 81,000 EPCs were issued inLithuania since the system wasimplemented in January 2007.

There are more than 759,500 buildingswith 1,075,000 building units in Lithuaniaat the end of 2014, and more than 38,000multi‐family buildings with more than800,000 apartments in them. Theclassification of buildings according tointended use has been changed severaltimes, so no clear data is available on howmany buildings or building units shouldhave an EPC. With existing data, the EPCcoverage of the building stock cannot becalculated.

IV. INSPECTIONREQUIREMENTS – HEATINGAND AIR­CONDITIONING (AC)SYSTEMS

To implement Articles 15, 16, 18 andAnnex II of the Directive 2010/31/EU fordomestic heating systems and Air‐Conditioning (AC) systems in buildings, thefollowing orders were adopted:

1. The Lithuanian Minister of Energy andMinister of Economy approved on10 December 2012 the OrderNo. 1‐256/4‐1205 “On the Approval of theRegulations” which describes compliancewith the energy efficiency requirements ofboth heating and AC systems and thealternative measures for verification thatare applied in Lithuania.

2. The Minister of Energy of the Republicof Lithuania approved on 26 March 2013the Order No. 1‐67 “On the Approval ofMethodologies” which describes theinspection methodologies of both heatingand AC systems applied in Lithuania.

Alternative measures are applied to allhousehold customers, as well as otherusers, when:

1) the heating system is in operation withmore than 20 kW but not more than100 kW of rated power output;

2) the AC systems are in operation withmore than 12 kW but not more than100 kW of rated power output.

Alternative measures do not restrictopportunities for household customersand other users to choose the method ofcompliance verification established inLithuania.

The Minister of Energy approved the OrderNo. 1‐67 “On the Approval ofMethodologies” on 26 March 2013, whichdescribes the inspection methodologies ofboth heating and AC systems applied inLithuania.

According to this regulation, heating andAC system inspections and the applicationof alternative measures are presented inTable 5.

IV.i. Progress and current statuson heating systems

Overview, technical method andadministration system

Compliance is checked usingmethodologies for heating and AC systemsinspection approved by the Minister ofEnergy. These methodologies cover themeasurement and estimation of theessential energy efficiency parameters ofheating and AC systems. Theseparameters are determined to minimisethe resources and costs needed forcompliance inspection.

The operating parameters of the systemsdetermine the energy efficiency of thesystems’ operation. These parameters

Table 5:Map of application of

inspections oralternative measures.

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should not be underperforming theparameters of the design values of thesystems or economically‐validated valuesof the other parts of the systems whichdetermine the energy efficiency of theheating or AC systems (hereinafter ‐ thelimit values). The limit values arecompared with the actual values of theoperating parameters and in this way theweaknesses of the systems aredetermined and recommendations forimprovement are suggested.

The limit values or references toregulations or technical documentswhere these values are described aregiven in the methodologies mentionedabove. The limit values need to beconsistent with the values that can beachieved following the manufacturer'srecommendations and considering theheating system and boiler type or ACsystems, the rated output power, theactual loading rate during the heatingseason, the operating conditions and theduration of the operation of systems,while following the requirements set outin the legislation of Lithuania.

The scheme that determines thefrequency of heating system inspectionsfor household , as well as for other usersis presented in Table 6.AC inspections for household customers,as well as for other users, are appliedevery third year, independently from therated output power.

Based on this methodology, the inspectionresults are presented in the inspectionreports. Two typical inspection reports areapproved in this methodology – one forheating and another for AC systems. Twocopies of each inspection report are made– one for the user, and another is kept inthe inspectorate under the Ministry ofEnergy.

The inspectorate is responsible fororganising and controlling the inspectionof compliance of heating and AC systemsin Lithuania. The Ministry of Energycontrols the inspectorate, by approving atypical form which the inspectorateprovides every year.

Arrangements for assurance,registration and promotion ofcompetent persons

The inspectors who perform theinspection must be independent from theusers, as well as from the designers of thesystems or related components,manufacturers, assemblers, supervisors,power suppliers and other persons whomay have an impact on their professionaldecisions.

Promotional activities

The information about regulations ofinspections, inspectors’ trainings andcertification, registered inspectors,efficient fuel and energy consumption ispublicly available on the website of theinspectorate. The inspectorate regularlyreviews and renews this information.

Enforcement and penalties

The inspectorate is responsible forpenalties for the inspections, and isplanning to adopt a procedure for thesepenalties.

Quality control of inspection reports

Seven (7) physical and juridical personsand enterprises are qualified to inspectheating systems. Approximately 40physical and juridical persons andenterprises are qualified to inspect ACsystems.

The inspectorate issues certificates tooperate energy systems and controls theactivities described in the certificate.A total of 6,102 inspections of heatingsystems were carried out in 2013. Ofthese inspections, 4 heating systems wereindependently controlled.

Costs and benefits

Lithuania is planning to establish a fixedcost for an inspection in the near future.According to research undertaken in 2012by the Lithuanian Energy Institute on theimplementation of the EPBD, the costs forthe inspection of heating systems mayvary from 350 to 430 € depending on thepower of the heating system, whereas forAC systems costs are calculated atapproximately 345 €.

IV.ii. Report on equivalence

Alternative measures are applied for allhousehold customers independently fromthe systems rated output power.Alternative measures do not restrictopportunities for all household customersto choose the compliance verification thathas been established in Lithuania.

In 2012, the Lithuanian Energy Instituteconducted research on theimplementation of the EPBD, to comparethe benefits of periodic inspections of Table 6:

Inspection periods forheating systems.

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heating and AC systems and alternativemeasures. The results of the researchwere used as a reference for theregulations.

In brief, the study reported thatalternative measures ‐ consultations andinformation campaigns for system users ‐can be equivalent to a regular inspection,if users have enough knowledge about theirbuilding or heating system at home.Natural gas or oil boilers installed in theheating systems of larger public buildingsdo not only have devices to measure fuelconsumption, but often also devices tomeasure produced heat. The averagethermal efficiency of such boilers can beeasily calculated, providing information onmaking the balance between the consumedfuel energy and the produced heat. Thealternative to such regular inspection ofheating systems could be a mandatoryrequirement to measure the producedheat. In this case, monitoring the boiler’sthermal efficiency can be undertaken bythe supervision specialist, or even by theboiler operator himself, if he isappropriately trained. Such monitoring ofthe boiler’s thermal efficiency isconsidered to be more effective thanregular inspection every 2 to 4 years,which only gives a momentum thermalefficiency measurement, corresponding toa particular boiler operating mode duringthe routine inspection.

An alternative method could evaluate theactual annual average thermal efficiencyof the boilers. Another reason to adopt analternative method is that the heatingsystems are not technically adjusted forthe required measurements. For example,necessary sampling holes for smokeanalysis are not installed, andmeasurement devices which would bemetrologically tested for recording systemoperating parameters are also notinstalled. In addition, during the regularsystem inspections, inspector‘s proposalsto change or upgrade system‘s facilities orother parts come as recommendations,and therefore the building owner is notobliged to consider them.

The study also showed that inspection ofheating systems equipped with less than100 kW heating rated power pay off onlyif defects identified during the inspectionare removed and recommendations areimplemented (the heating system’sefficiency would increase by at least 4.5%)while for wood‐fuelled heating systemseven more so (by no less than 10%). Theinspection costs for AC systems with acooling capacity from 12 to 100 kW payoff if efficiency is improved by at least

2.3% to 13%. Increased efficiencyimprovement is required for less powerfulheating and AC systems. These results forheating and AC systems are unlikely,therefore alternative measures are chosenfor these systems.

The inspectorate organises and controlsthe application of alternative measures toassess and improve the energy efficiencyof heating and AC systems, the overallresult of which should match regularcompliance inspection. The system userdecides on their own whether to followthe recommendations or not, as there isno enforcement. Among other things, theinspectorate evaluates the matchbetween the overall results of alternativemeasures and results of regularinspections, and improves the alternativemeasures and/or creates new measures ifthe overall result from the alternativemeasures is not equivalent to the resultsfrom the regular inspections. Annualreports from the Inspectorate shalldescribe the actual achievements of thealternative measure, assess its overallresults and show that they will at leastmatch those of a regular inspectionscheme.

Detailing of activities to improve energyperformance of heating systems

The inspectorate provides regularconsultations via telephone or internet.

Impact and equivalence assessment

The state enterprise Centre of Registersprovides sufficient information onbuildings, but insufficient information onboilers and replacement rates. Therefore,the inspectorate needs to gatherinformation through a questionnairewhich is publicly available on its website.So far, there has been very little publicinterest in filling in this questionnaire.

Costs and benefits

Alternative measures are carried outwithout costs. The costs are incorporatedinto the work done by the inspectorate,which is financed by the country’sbudget.

3. A success story in EPBDimplementation

The main task of the Programme for theModernisation of Multi‐apartment Houseswas to provide support to home‐owners ofmulti‐family buildings with theimplementation of energy efficiencymeasures. The Programme began at theend of 2005.

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The participants in the programme wereapartment owners, the Housing EnergySaving Agency, municipalities, commercialbanks, housing loans insurance companies,housing administration companies,engineering consultant companies (whichprepare energy audits and investmentproposals), contractors, etc.

The following are some of the measuresfunded by the programme to increaseenergy efficiency: replacement ofwindows, replacement of doors, insulationof ceilings/roofs, insulation of walls,installation of solar panels and wind mills,replacement of energy relatedequipment, replacement of elevators andelectrical wiring in shared areas (stairwells, basements).

Therefore, the Lithuanian Governmentnegotiated the establishment of theJESSICA Holding Fund to offer anattractive financing scheme to acceleratethe major renovation process. Lithuania isone of the first countries in the EuropeanUnion to use the JESSICA initiative for theimprovement of energy efficiency inmulti‐apartment buildings. Originally, thefund size was projected at 227 M€(127 M€ from the ERDF, as well as 100 M€of the Lithuanian national budget). Theoverall aim of the JESSICA Fund is tocontribute to increased energy efficiencyin the housing sector by offering long termloan financing at preferential terms andconditions.

In 2010, a JESSICA financing mechanismwas developed, by which the state willsupport about 30% of the rehabilitationproject value from 2011 onwards: 100%support for technical documentationpreparation and expenses for supervisionof construction works if D class (accordingto the EPC classification) will beachieved, 15% support for energyefficiency measures implementation if Dclass (according to the EPC classification)will be achieved, and 100% support forlow income families.

Beginning in 2013, the LithuanianGovernment decided to accelerate therenovation process. Building upon theexisting national programme for energyefficiency, a new model for renovation ofmulti‐apartment buildings has beendeveloped (the loan charge lies on theproject administrator, the resident doesnot hold the financial burden).

In 2013, the additional incentive fundedby the Special Climate ChangeProgramme, to complement the JESSICA

programme in the form of an additional10% investment grant, was approved incase energy consumption is reduced by atleast 40%. The total subsidy for renovationis 40%. In the context of the scheme, thestate provides 100% of reimbursement forthe loan repayment instalments for low‐income families from its own budget and100% reimbursement for the preparationand administration of paperwork. TheJESSICA loan (maturity up to 20 years at afixed annual interest rate of 3%) is offeredto the owners of apartments or otherpremises in multi‐apartment buildings,provided they commit themselves toimplement energy efficiency measuresand other measures set forth in theinvestment plan.

Renovation of each multi‐flat buildingbegins with the audit, calculation andissue of an EPC. The EPC is issued byattested certification experts using thecalculation software tool, followed byrecommendations to increase energyefficiency. Recommendations and EPCdata are later used to draft theInvestment Plan for renovation.Renovation of each multi‐flat buildingends up with the issue of a new EPC ‐tocheck whether the measures set out in theInvestment Plan have been implementedand the planned performance actuallyachieved. Only an EPC with a positiveevaluation allows for the final paymentsto be made, so energy efficiencycertification and the EPC play a highlyimportant role in the process of successfulrenovation.

The average price for multi‐apartmentbuilding renovation is 200,000 €. Thisusually includes extra insulation of theenvelope ‐roof and walls, replacement ofwindows and entrance doors, heatingsystem‘s modernisation and rebalancing,and installation of thermostatic valves.The value of signed contracts currentlystands close to 150 M€, which makes up to8.3% of return in the whole constructionsector of the country in the last year(Figure 9).

The programme has already achievedsignificant results – approximately 700multi‐apartment buildings have begun therenovation process (during 2013‐2014),which is about 40% more than in theprevious period (2005‐2012). Ninetythousand (90,000) individuals wouldbenefit from improved living standards,with 87,500 MWh of energy saved peryear.

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4. Conclusions, future plans

The building sector has become one of thepriority areas for Lithuania in trying tomeet its ambitious climate and energytargets for 2020. Several legislativeinitiatives have been introduced forbuilding renovation. One of them ‐ thecost‐optimal energy performancerequirements ‐ was introduced intonational legislation and is used for newbuildings as well as for renovationactivities.

Calculation and design methods are well‐developed and are being continuouslyupgraded, but there is still need fortraining of designers and building usersand owners. The Ministry of Environmentsupports and promotes many private andpublic initiatives, e.g., passive house andrenovation of multi‐apartment buildingsin the framework of differentprogrammes, informal training of theworkforce by suppliers of constructionproducts and systems and others.

Stepping into the final phase ‐ mandatoryA performance class for new buildings ‐information campaigns and publicdiscussions on all important aspects withall stakeholders have become moreimportant and will be improved upon inthe near future.

It is worth repeating that a publiclyavailable national plan (STR 2.01.09:2012)was adopted by 2012, with a stepwiseapproach to arrive at Nearly Zero‐EnergyBuildings (NZEBs), increasing the requiredenergy performance class for new andreconstructed buildings and buildingsafter major renovation. The plan is well‐known by investors, contractors, ownersand institutions.

A central database of Energy PerformanceCertificates (EPCs) is recently integratedwith the real estate property cadastreand very informative public register.

Regarding inspections of heating and Air‐Conditioning (AC) systems, Lithuania isplanning to revise the system to make iteasier to understand and implement.

Figure 9:Progress of

renovation processfrom 1 January 2013

from 6 June 2014.

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The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does notnecessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor theEuropean Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the informationcontained therein.

The content of this report is included in the book “2016 – Implementing the EnergyPerformance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Featuring Country Reports”,ISBN 978‐972‐8646‐32‐5, © ADENE 2015

More details on the IEE Programme can be found atec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent

This individual report and the full 2016 book are available atwww.epbd‐ca.eu and www.buildup.eu

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