Implementing EPBD-IV (2024) and the role of Heat Pumps and more attention for IEQ

Heat pumps (HP’s) for heating and cooling of buildings are an essential step towards decarbonisation of our energy use in buildings. We are on the edge of the transposition of the EPBD-IV (2024) by 29 May 2026. In most EU MS’s issues like the increased use of HP’s as alternative for fossil boilers and how to address the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in existing, to renovate and new buildings are at the table.

The decarbonisation effect of HP’s is depending on their correct application, efficiency and foremost the carbon footprint of the used kWh’s. If de delivered electricity from the grid is still based on fossil fuel generation and not from sustainable renewable sources like PV, wind and other renewables, the application of HP’s is still wise as an investment for the hopefully near future. Investing in HP’s should also be considered given the geopolitical situation where the pricing of the alternative fossil fuels (for boilers) may become very high in relation to the kWh electricity pricing. This is especially the case in areas where the part of renewable energy production (PV, wind and others) is high and increasing. The use of smart meters and dynamic energy contracts where the control of the HP-system, possibly in relation to short-term thermal storage, can react (sub)-hourly becomes more popular to optimise the energy costs for heating or cooling. This grid-interaction control functionality is also mentioned in the EPBD, and can be rewarded in the assessment of the energy performance and carbon emission of the building as to be expressed on the EP-certificate.

Smart grid-interaction control of HP-systems is also needed in relation to the electricity grid capacity. The expansion of the use of electricity for electro-mobility, HP’s, etc. is a growing problem in most EU MS’s, the current electricity grid infrastructure was not designed for this. Smart controls are essential in designing our HVAC system. In areas where the electricity grid capacity cannot easily be expended it is wise to keep the gas infrastructure running and use hybrid HP-systems where the fossil fuel boilers still cover the peak demands.

As this RJ issue addresses the EPBD implementation, several articles also address the IAQ and IEQ in buildings both residential and non-residential. The ongoing activity of revising the current EN 16798-1:2018 and related activities at ISO and IEA-EBC are mentioned. In CEN 5 working groups in four TC’s are working on this EN revision. The EPBD-IV Annex I says: “Member States shall describe their national calculation methodology on the basis of Annex A to the key European standards on the energy performance of buildings, namely (EN) ISO 52000-1, (EN) ISO 52003-1, (EN) ISO 52010-1, (EN) ISO 52016-1, (EN) ISO 52018-1, (EN) ISO 52120-1, EN 16798-1 and EN 17423 or superseding documents. Which means that this IEQ standard revision is very relevant, but also urgently needed given the new insights and science published since 2017 when the current standard was finalised. In the REHVA Journal 2026-01 issue, IEQ was also addressed in several articles.