Green Homes Directive: the road to sustainable, zero-emission buildings.

The Green Homes Directive (Directive 2024/1275/EU, EPBD IV), which entered into force on May 28, 2024, is an update of the existing Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) legislation and introduces important changes in the energy efficiency of buildings. This change will have a significant impact on the building sector and national policies of member states.

In order to achieve the decarbonisation targets, the directive requires member states to draw up a national renovation plan, which includes actions on energy-intensive residential buildings, with some intermediate deadlines. Non-compliance with the plan does not foresee any sanctions: it will be up to the member states to commit to the targets set by Europe.

For residential buildings, each Member State will adopt its own plan to reduce average primary energy consumption by 16% by 2030 and by 20-22% by 2035. The national measures will have to ensure that, overall, at least 55% of the reduction in average primary energy consumption is achieved through the renovation of the worst performing buildings (energy classes F and G therefore).

Excluded from the obligation are certain categories of buildings, such as listed buildings, historical buildings, second homes used less than four months a year and temporary buildings.

With regard to non-residential buildings, the directive envisages the gradual introduction of minimum energy performance standards, requiring 16 per cent of the worst-performing buildings to be renovated by 2030 and 26 per cent by 2033.

Stop gas boilers

From 2025, there will no longer be any tax incentives for the installation of boilers powered by fossil fuels, and from 2040 their sale will be banned.

Renewable energy obligation

On the renewable energy front, the directive makes the installation of solar panels mandatory

• by 2026 in new non-residential and public buildings larger than 250 m²;
• by 2030 in many existing buildings, depending on the surface area.

All new buildings will still have to be ‘solar-ready’, ready to harness solar energy.

Lo Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI)

The directive introduces the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), which measures how well a building is prepared for smart solutions, such as connected systems to improve comfort, energy efficiency and interoperability. The aim is to encourage the spread of smart buildings, capable of optimising consumption thanks to home automation and advanced technologies.

New requirements for the Energy Performance Certificate (APE)

Important changes are planned for the APE. They will have to include new parameters such as consumption in kWh/m² per year and GWP (Global Warming Potential), which measures the total emissions of the building during its life cycle.
Energy class A will be reserved exclusively for zero-emission buildings.
Member States have two years to adapt their EPA models.

Lighting installations

Lighting plays an important part in improving the visual comfort and energy efficiency of a building (and thus its class). According to ASSIL, the National Association of Lighting Manufacturers, Italy is ahead of other countries when it comes to lighting in public buildings. In fact, it is already mandatory to include the so-called CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria) in public tenders. As regards public buildings, the annex to the Decree of 23 June 2022 of the Ministry of Ecological Transition specifies that indoor lighting systems must comply with the UNI EN 12464-1 standard with the following characteristics

• switching on, switching off and dimming in automatic mode on an hourly basis and on the basis of any natural light inputs;
• minimum LED lamp life of 50,000 hours.