Home Energy Certificate Complete Guide 2026

Currently, the energy performance certificate for homes is an essential document in Spain, and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism requires it. You need this official document to transfer or rent out a house, and without this requirement, you won't be able to participate in the real estate sector.

This measure has been in effect since June 2013; however, some owners have not yet been required to apply for it. Therefore, it is crucial to know the minimum guidelines for obtaining it, its cost, and other useful details.

What is the energy certificate and what is its purpose?

This EPC is a document that certifies the energy efficiency of a property, very similar to the multicolored labels we are familiar with. These labels can be seen on household appliances and simply show how efficient the equipment in question is, with various classifications whose readings you should understand.

This classification can range from "G," which represents the most inefficient rating, marked in red, to "A," representing maximum efficiency. This range will always be graphically displayed in dark green, and it is the level where your home should ideally be classified.

Basically, it serves to:

• Inform interested parties how much it costs to heat the property and how much CO2 it emits
• Highlight a series of necessary requirements
• Indicate that you must present this certificate to potential interested parties
• Each interested party can evaluate and compare the different options before purchasing or renting a property
• Avoid penalties
• Comply with current regulations

What information does it include?

In short, this official document can help you understand details about a property, such as:

• Identification of the individual floors of the building to be certified
• A description of the checks and records made by the accredited expert
• The energy characteristics of the building
• Temperature insulation
• Equipment, standard operating conditions, and occupancy
• Thermal comfort, natural light, and indoor air quality
• Recommendations for potential improvements the owner should make to improve the rating

What are its advantages?

You already know that you will definitely need to request the home energy performance certificate, and it offers many benefits, such as these:

Avoid delays in sales timelines

If you wait until the last minute to apply for the EPC, you could face delays in the sales process and in signing before the notary. One reason is that owners, due to lack of awareness, may not have the required certificate, which is a regulatory necessity for sellers to demonstrate energy efficiency.

Transparency for all

Showing proof of energy efficiency indicates greater transparency on the part of the seller because it can be seen as an act of good faith.

Competitiveness against other offers

Knowing this rating is definitely an incentive for interested parties, especially if it has a good rating, when considering other market options.

Access to better financing

An excellent rating can provide better financing conditions in terms of interest rates or the elimination of certain fees.

Access to financial aid

Some autonomous communities have financial aid programs or plans for window restoration, boilers, or to subsidize property tax. Generally, to access these programs, you must have an EPC with a good rating.

How is a home's EPC obtained?

If you need this certificate issued as an owner, you must follow these instructions:

• Submit a formal request to a company or a qualified designer, professional, or technician.
• The expert will gather information about the house.
• Upon completing this process, they will perform the necessary calculations to determine the property's rating.
• The final step will be to issue the CEE, with the information endorsed by the expert, and register it with the competent authority.
• This final step is essential for it to be valid.

When is it mandatory?

The requirement to present the CEE is subject to the most common cases mentioned, as stipulated in Royal Decree 235/2013. In these situations, as the owner, you must submit this declaration, but the regulation more precisely defines the situations where the certificate is truly mandatory.

This Decree establishes that the document is mandatory only if you intend to sell or rent buildings, flats, apartments, or commercial premises. As of June 2, 2021, the CEE must also be presented if the building is rented for vacation purposes.

You may also like: Domotica 2025.

How much does an energy performance certificate for a home cost?

Answering directly about the cost of the CEE is not easy at all; it's not as simple as giving a single figure, because there are many variables. Ultimately, these variables will influence its price, but we will try to detail them, in light of the content of Royal Decree 235/2013.

The average cost of this certificate could range between €50 and €200, in accordance with what is legally established in the aforementioned Decree. According to this current regulation, the price of the CEE will primarily depend on:

• The property's area
• Its location
• Type of house or premises
• The certifier's fees
• Taxes

Who issues the Energy Performance Certificate?

CEEs should be issued by an accredited expert, typically an architect or an industrial engineer. These are the only accredited experts authorized to conduct energy audits, providing a detailed assessment of the property's energy characteristics.

How long is it valid for?

The CEE will be valid if it is current, and for this, you must check the issue and registration date, ensuring it is less than ten years old. This is a general rule for new buildings and parts of existing ones. In addition to the date, you should remember that the CEE is valid if:

• If it was issued according to the calculation methodology established in Royal Decree 235/2013
• If it was prepared by an expert technician
• If it contains the information established in Article 6 of the aforementioned Decree
• If it was registered with the competent body of the Autonomous Community corresponding to the address where the property is located

You might also be interested in: certificate of occupancy.

What happens if my home receives a poor rating?

‍A low energy rating will directly affect your wallet as well as your health, but it also means you are negatively impacting the environment. If you maintain a home with a low energy rating, you reinforce the causes of climate change in unforeseen ways and reduce rental or sale options. A low rating is a clear indicator of a house that consumes too much energy and has problems with insulation, ventilation, and outdated heating systems. For these reasons, it is not very pleasant to live in and can lead to serious consequences for your health or that of your potential client or tenant.

Tips for optimizing energy efficiency

I can offer you various suggestions to optimize energy efficiency in your home, but the most notable ones could be these:

• Hire an energy audit
• Implement an energy management plan for family members and domestic staff
• Consider self-consumption 
• Consider renovations and property improvements 
• Raise awareness about your family's involvement
• Apply best practices
• Optimize Lighting
• Improve the HVAC system
• Optimize hot water usage
• Improve boiler equipment

Frequently asked questions about a home's EPC

How to know if my home has an energy performance certificate?

If you have questions about whether or not you have an EPC, we suggest you do the following:

• Review all house records
• Call the owner or real estate agent
• Check the regional registry
• Consult the Geoportal

What happens if my home's energy certificate has expired?

In this situation, we suggest requesting the expired EPC. You'll need to find an accredited certification expert to re-evaluate the house. This way, they will issue a new certificate valid for 10 years.

What happens if you're sold a house without an energy performance certificate?

If this certificate is not available, a fine may be imposed for violating the law if the property is advertised without mentioning its energy rating. This can result in a fine of 300 to 600 euros; and if the EPC is not provided to you as a buyer or tenant, a significant fee will be imposed.

Furthermore, if the property is advertised without an EPC, a fee of up to 6,000 euros may be charged.

Who pays for the energy performance certificate?

Once the EPC is registered with the competent authority, the property owner must cover the cost of the fees stipulated in the Royal Decree.

How long does it take to get an energy performance certificate?

Within approximately two business days of contracting the service, you can receive your CEE, though this will depend on each autonomous community.

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Conclusion

When looking for the home energy certificate, the best option is to rely on true experts who can advise you, contact Domoblock! Remember that the CEE is an official document you will need if you plan to sell or rent your property; don't leave it until the last minute.

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