IEQ and Ventilation to be integrated in recast Energy performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

The recast EPBD and the amendments as adopted by the European Parliament 14^th March 2023 clearly includes Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and ventilation requirements. The ongoing negotiation (the so-called triage) on the final text should result in a recast EPBD before the end of the summer. In this recast EPBD the IEQ will go alongside energy performance and decarbonisation requirements. It is a great step forward in securing healthy indoor environments in new and to renovate buildings. Clear statements on IEQ and ventilation control and inspection are included. The statement that the positive health effect of improved IEQ should be included in the cost optimal equation on energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures sounds very promising.

The focus on ventilation and IEQ in this RJ is most welcome. With thanks to our Scandinavian authors and coordinating support of Peter G. Schild. This RJ offers articles on ventilation in kitchens, the need for demand controlled ventilation, a survey on Swedish Covid guidance, position paper of the Nordic ventilation group. Also, on ventilation two articles from the last AIVC conference: one on inspection of ventilation systems and one on the role of indoor CO₂ in response on the pandemic.

The expected inclusion in the recast EPBD of waste water heat recovery (WWHR) as a well proven technical system to reduce the energy use of domestic hot water systems is the reason to include a first article to introduce shower drain heat recovery. In the context of reduced heating needs due to the increasing level of building insulation, the energy use for domestic hot water plays an increasing role. WWHR is a technology that allows to cover a significant part of the domestic hot water energy needs with heat recovered from the shower drain. In the next RJ issue, more will be published on a EPB WWHR system standard that is going to add the set of EPB standards.

In Annex I of the recast EPBD, it is stated that Member States shall define indicators on operational and embodied greenhouse gas emissions produced in kgCO₂eq/(m²·y) over the expected service life of the building. It is clear that the EPBD is restricted to ruling on carbon emission. In the near future the European Construction Product Regulation (CPR) will go much further to protect our environment. Step by step more elements will be required to include in the in the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). An article on EPDs for HVAC products illustrate the important role of EPDs in the coming years in Europe. The CPR is going to be the main driver for use of EPDs.