- 2/2/2024

What is the energy rating of my home?

4 min

Warning, borrowing money costs money.

PEB/EPB - The basics of the PEB/EPB certificate

To determine whether your home still meets current energy standards, you will need a PEB/EPB certificate. This provides a standardised assessment of your property's energy performance. There are different types of PEB/EPB depending on the condition of the property or its use (residential, office, etc.). The assessment covers:

• surface area of the property;
• volume:
• heating system;
• hot water production;
• ventilation;
• insulation;
• presence of solar panels;
• geothermal energy;
• home wind turbine;
• …

The certificate is valid for ten years, provided no work is carried out on the systems assessed in the meantime. In this case, you must update your PEB/EPB with the help of an approved certifier. A new PEB/EPB certificate was launched in Flanders in 2019. If you’re selling your home and your certificate dates from before this, you will need to organise a new one. These links will give you all the information you need for each Region: Brussels Environment, Wallonia, Flanders.

The three regions - Evolution of the PEB/EPB

Brussels

• The PEB/EPB certificate rates energy performance on a scale from A++ (very economical) to G (very energy-intensive). The current average in Brussels is D+.
• Until now, the PEB/EPB was only required when selling or renting property in Brussels. By 2025, all homes without exception must have an energy label.
• The Region is launching its “Renolution” plan and aims to raise the average score to C+ by 2050. This corresponds to a maximum primary energy consumption of 100 kWh/m2/year, which is three times less than today.
• In addition to the energy rating, the PEB/EPB certificate includes a list of five priority renovation works to improve the rating. This may include insulation of the exterior and interior walls, roof and floors, replacement of frames and windows, upgrading the boiler or heating system, installation of solar panels, etc. The work must be carried out at least every five years, and at the latest from 2030.
• The PEB/EPB certificate will be integrated into the “housing passport”, featuring dynamic data.

More information

Wallonia

• The Walloon Region has not yet established a strict plan for the energy renovation. But it is encouraging people to become more involved through various incentives.
• The Region has introduced standards on electromobility: since 11 March 2021, any residential buildings (houses, flats) that are newly built or undergoing major renovation work must include the infrastructure for installing a charging point for each parking space.

More information

Flanders

• The Region has introduced a digital “Woningpas” (Building Passport for residential dwellings). This includes the EPC+ certificate (PEB/EPB), which has been in place since 2019. It includes:
  • the energy label – on a scale from A+ (very good) to F (poor);
  • technical recommendations (with estimated costs and savings) to reduce energy consumption.
• An EPC+ certificate will be required for all buildings from 2050, and by then, every property must achieve an A-label or better.
• As of 1 January 2023, a renovation obligation has come into force for residential properties (single-family homes and apartments). New owners of residential buildings with a poor rating must carry out energy renovations to achieve a minimum energy-rating of D.

More information

Your bank by your side

Your relationship manager is available to answer your questions about the PEB/EPB certificate, available premiums, energy-saving renovation, etc. They will also be able to explain the Renovation Loan and Energy Loan (instalment loans), and advise you on how to invest and save by building or renovating in an energy-efficient way.

Do you want to build or renovate in an energy-efficient way?
Find out how to finance your energy renovation.

Make an appointment