Most drivers have a rough idea of how much petrol their vehicle uses on average. Consumers usually take note of the efficiency class of a refrigerator or washing machine before buying it. However, there is often little information available on the energy quality of residential buildings. This is despite the fact that most of the German energy requirements are for domestic space heating and hot water.

As energy prices rise, energy-efficient buildings are becoming increasingly attractive. The energy performance certificate providse more transparency to the property market and encourage property owners to invest in their buildings. The certificate provides reliable information on the energy quality of a building, shows sensible energy saving potentials, and offers concrete modernisation recommendations.

The energy performance certificate is therefore an important source of initial information and an efficient analysis instrument. The certificate covers the most important building data, provides information on the state of the building and indicates whether a refurbishment is actually necessary or not. Specific refurbishment recommendations in the energy performance certificate can be used for refurbishment planning or as the basis for further energy consultations.

Germany has implemented the EU guideline (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - EPBD) with the Energy Savings Act (EnEV 2007), which came into force on the 1st of October 2007:

• From the 1st of July 2008, the energy performance certificate will become stepwise compulsory when renting, selling and leasing properties.
• On or after the 1st of July 2008, the Energy Savings Act requires that an energy performance certificate must be made available when selling, renting or leasing a residential building built in 1965 or earlier.
• The energy performance certificate is compulsory for newer residential buildings from the 1st of January 2009 and for non-residential buildings from the 1st of July 2009. This will also require that an energy performance certificate is publicly displayed in all public buildings in Germany with more than 1,000 square metres of usable area. 

Since 2002, the energy performance certificate has been compulsory for new buildings and buildings that have been refurbished in a comprehensive way.