The Azorean Parliament approved today the diploma that implements the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy performance of buildings in the regional legal system.
Presented by the Government, the document contains concrete guidelines for energy saving as well as for the promotion of renewable energies, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
The diploma stipulates requirements on issues such as energy certification of buildings, regular inspection of boilers and air-conditioning installations, assurance of indoor air quality, licensing and inspection of fuel gases in buildings.
It also defines the rules to be followed concerning the design of buildings for housing and services without central air-conditioning systems and creates the Systems of Energy Certification of Buildings, which intends to promote the energy efficiency and indoor air quality in service and residential buildings.
The new buildings for housing and services, the existing ones undergoing major renewal interventions as well as those for housing and services, when signing a sale or a lease contract, are comprised by this diploma.
Regarding lease contracts, the owner should present a certificate issued under the energy certification created and regulated by this new legislation to the potential buyer or lessee.
Classified buildings and monuments, churches, Holy Spirit “empires,” cellars and residential buildings to be used less than four months per year are excluded from this legislation as well as military infrastructures and buildings attached to the information system or to security forces that are subject to control and confidentiality rules.
Compared with the national legislation, this diploma eliminates the requirement to install a gas network, therefore allowing the possibility of installing electrical systems or using alternative fuels in new buildings or in those undergoing major interventions.
Furthermore, it also clarifies the rules concerning the indoor air quality of buildings, stipulating the limits on the presence of pollutants, including those resulting from the weathering of volcanic terrains and setting the air renewal rates deemed necessary to ensure the occupants’ comfort and safety.