ENERGY CERTIFICATE BILBAO

• Energy rating: The property is rated on a scale from A (highest efficiency) to G (lowest efficiency) based on energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.
• Property data: Includes basic information such as address, year of construction, and construction and energy characteristics (walls, windows, heating systems, etc.).
• Energy consumption: Shows the estimated energy consumption (in kWh/m² per year).
• CO₂ emissions: Indicates the estimated annual emissions of carbon dioxide.
• Recommendations: Provides concrete measures to improve the energy efficiency of the property (such as installing more efficient windows, changing heating systems, or improving insulation).

The energy efficiency certificate in Bilbao is compulsory in the following cases:

• Sale of a property.
• Renting a property (including renewal of contracts).
• Construction of new buildings.
• Public buildings with more than 250 m² that are frequented by the public.

The certificate must be carried out by a qualified technician, such as an architect, technical architect or engineer. After the assessment, it must be registered with the competent body in each autonomous community in order to be valid.

In the case of Energy Efficiency Certificates for properties in Bilbao, they will be registered in Bizkaia.

The certificate is valid for 10 years, although if major renovations are carried out, it is recommended to update it.

• Transparency: Informs buyers or tenants about the energy consumption of a property.
• Savings: Identifies opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs.
• Sustainability: Contributes to the objectives of reducing emissions and caring for the environment.

In short, the energy performance certificate is both a legal tool and a guide to encourage more responsible energy management.

In practice, the most frequent times to apply for a certificate are usually related to the intention to sell or rent a property, as it is a legal requirement in Spain and other European countries.

Without this document, transactions cannot be formalised.

In addition, there are people who decide to apply on their own initiative in order to:

• Better understand the energy performance of your home.
• Discover improvement measures that can reduce your energy consumption and costs.

These are the most common scenarios in which the need for the certificate arises:

1. Selling a property: If you decide to sell a house, business premises, or any other property, it is mandatory to have an energy efficiency certificate. This document must be available from the moment the property is put up for sale, as the buyer has the right to know the energy rating before making the purchase.
2. Renting a property: When you rent a property or premises, you also need this certificate. This applies to both:

- New rentals: Before entering into a contract.

- Contract renewals: In some cases, especially if regulations have changed or conditions are updated that may imply energy reform.

3. Construction of a new dwelling: In the case of a newly constructed building or dwelling, the energy performance certificate is mandatory to obtain the first occupancy licence. This applies to both individual houses and blocks of flats.

4. Major renovations: If you carry out significant renovations that affect the energy systems of your property (e.g. changing the heating system, insulating walls, replacing windows, or installing solar panels), you will need to update or renew the energy performance certificate.

5. Inherited or inherited property: When a person inherits a property and plans to sell or rent it out, they will need to obtain an energy performance certificate before entering into any transaction. Although it is not compulsory if you are simply retaining the property as part of your estate, you will need it when entering into any transfer or lease transaction.

6. Public or frequently accessed buildings: If you manage a public building (e.g. offices or shopping centres) and it is larger than 250 m², you are obliged to display the energy performance certificate in a visible place.

7. Inspections or subsidies related to energy efficiency: Sometimes, if you apply for subsidies or grants to improve the energy efficiency of a property, the administrations may require the certificate as part of the requirements.