Energy Performance of a New-Build Property: What the Energy Label Means

The energy performance label shows roughly how much energy a new-build property will use for heating, hot water, ventilation, cooling and lighting. The more economical the class, the lower the running costs you can expect. However, your actual energy bill also depends on how you live in the flat or house, so the label is a good basis for comparison, not a guarantee of a specific amount.

What is an energy performance certificate

The energy performance certificate (PENB, průkaz energetické náročnosti budovy) is a document prepared by an authorised energy specialist. It is based on the design documentation or on the building as actually built, and it assesses the thermal properties of the building envelope (walls, roof, windows, floor) as well as the technical systems: heating, hot water preparation, ventilation and others.

The certificate includes a colour scale running from the most economical classes to the most energy-intensive ones. The building is placed in one of them, and the label shows at a glance where it stands. A more detailed section of the certificate then breaks down consumption by area and gives recommendations.

For new-builds, the certificate is issued as part of the final approval of the building (kolaudace), and the buyer is expected to be given the opportunity to review it when the property is sold or let. Current obligations and class requirements change, so it is advisable to check them with an energy specialist or the developer.

What the label is made up of

The resulting class is not a single figure from a single source. Several partial indicators are assessed:

• Heat demand for heating – depends on the quality of insulation, the windows, the shape of the building and its airtightness.
• Energy source – a heat pump, gas boiler, district heating and electric heating are each assessed differently.
• Ventilation – heat recovery ventilation reduces heat losses caused by airing the building.
• Hot water preparation – in apartment buildings it makes up a noticeable share of consumption.
• Lighting and auxiliary energy – pumps, fans and the like.

It follows that two buildings in the same class may have a different breakdown of consumption and different running costs, depending on which type of energy is used and what it costs.

How the label affects costs

A more economical class usually means lower energy consumption for heating, and therefore lower advance payments and annual settlements. The difference shows mainly in the winter months. To estimate costs, it is useful to ask the seller for:

1. the energy performance certificate, ideally including the detailed protocol,
2. information about the heat source and how consumption is metered,
3. an estimate of the energy advance payments for the specific unit,
4. experience from already completed buildings by the same developer.

The size of your bill is also affected by factors the label does not capture: the size and position of the flat (a corner flat versus one in the middle), its orientation to the points of the compass, the room temperatures you want, the number of people in the household and current energy prices. These change over time, so you cannot expect the label to tell you a specific annual amount.

Impact on financing and property value

The energy class can also influence how a purchase is financed. Some banks offer more favourable terms for more economical properties, and there are also subsidy programmes aimed at energy-efficient housing. Conditions change often, however, so they need to be checked with a mortgage specialist and, for the contractual side, with a lawyer.

A more economical building is also likely to be less sensitive to rising energy prices in future and to better meet the stricter requirements that may be expected in the coming years. When recalculating your monthly housing costs, the calculator can help; it is advisable to add to the mortgage repayment an estimate of energy advance payments and the charges associated with running the building.

What to ask before buying

When choosing a new-build, it pays to look at the energy side already during the viewing and when reading the contract:

• Whether the certificate was prepared according to the design or according to the building as actually built.
• What type of heating and ventilation is used in the building and who manages it.
• Whether a particular class is guaranteed in the contract for a future contract (smlouva o budoucí smlouvě) or merely stated in the brochure.
• How the costs of common areas and technology in an apartment building are handled.
• How heat and hot water are apportioned among the individual flats.

You can compare new-build offers in the project catalogue, or by location or by a specific developer. The next steps of a purchase are described in the buying guide. If you are unsure how to choose, you can use the housing enquiry.

Frequently asked questions

Is the most economical class always the best choice?

Not necessarily. A more economical class usually means lower running costs, but it may come with a higher property price or more complex technology. It is worth assessing the overall costs and your own needs.

Does the label guarantee the amount of monthly advance payments?

No. The label is based on a calculation under standardised conditions. Actual consumption depends on how the property is used, the weather and energy prices, so it is better to request an estimate of advance payments for the specific unit.

Where can I find the class of a specific new-build?

The class is stated in the energy performance certificate, which the developer or seller should provide to you. You can also find details for individual buildings in the project catalogue, and you should confirm everything important directly with the developer before signing a contract.