Energy performance certificates as tools for energy planning in the residential sector. The case of La Rioja (Spain).

Resumen

The building construction sector is responsible for more than 30% of the world's total energy consumption and almost 30% of its CO2 emissions. European directives addressing energy performance have opened up a number of possibilities for action as they have evolved from obligatory measures to opportunities for advancement. Energy certifications for buildings and dwellings can illuminate many of the realities of construction, improve the efficiency of existing buildings and endow residential sector planning with a more realistic vision. This study examines the Autonomous Community of La Rioja – a Spanish region in which cold winter climate zones predominate – and analyzes how energy performance certificates can be used as a planning tool by calculating and verifying the average primary energy consumption and the corresponding CO2 emissions per square meter and per year for the residential sector. In addition, the differences between rural and urban areas are presented. The average primary energy consumption varied between 229.4 kWh/m2·year and 309.4 kWh/m2·year, depending on the climate zone, and the associated emissions varied from 51.7 kg CO2/m2·year to 72.0 kg CO2/m2·year. This study is an initial benchmark to develop all that concerns the residential sector in La Rioja's 2015–2025 Energy Plan. The data obtained will enable different energy rehabilitation scenarios to be sketched out. Based on this information, government agencies can determine appropriate policies to be implemented in the future. Therefore, this study is the first step in defining the actual energy consumption conditions for the residential sector in a southern European region. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd