How Do I Benefit?
Beyond being a legal requirement for sellers and landlords, there are real advantages to knowing a property's energy rating. It helps you estimate running costs, which is especially useful as a prospective buyer, and it deserves a place in your rental or purchase decision alongside location and price.
How Does The Rating System Work?
The certificate places a building in one of nine energy classes. In Greece, the classes use Greek letters: Α+, Α, Β+, Β, Γ, Δ, Ε, Ζ, Η. Α+ is the highest possible rating and Η the lowest. For international readers, the lower classes Γ, Δ, Ε, Ζ, Η correspond roughly to C through G on the scales used elsewhere in Europe. The score is determined by comparing a building's calculated energy use against a reference building with ideal characteristics for the same location, so the local climate is factored into the assessment. The rating reflects factors such as construction materials, insulation, window quality, and the heating and cooling systems. Once issued, an EPC is valid for ten years, unless the building undergoes a radical renovation in the meantime, in which case a new certificate is needed.
Which Category Am I Likely In?
Classes Α+, Α, Β+, Β
These are mainly modern buildings constructed under the current energy regulations. If you are exploring newly built holiday homes, the property is likely in this group. These buildings have good thermal insulation, airtight windows, and modern heating or cooling systems. A high rating may not dramatically change a building's market value, but it certainly makes a property more attractive, and only a small share of Greek homes reach these top classes.
Classes Γ, Δ, Ε
These ratings are typical for houses built roughly between 1980 and 2010. They have some insulation but would benefit from upgrades.
Classes Ζ And Η
These ratings refer to older constructions that need significant work to become energy efficient. Homes in this category are often eligible for the Exoikonomo programme, run by the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The programme offers grants and interest-subsidised loans to homeowners who want to carry out energy-saving renovations, such as new window frames, insulation, and heating systems. The share of the cost covered depends on your income and the rules of the programme round open at the time, so check the current terms or ask an engineer before planning a renovation around it.
Do Regulations Change Based On My Location?
The legal requirements are the same throughout Greece, on the islands and the mainland alike. The calculation behind the rating does take the local climate zone into account, so identical houses in Crete and in the mountains of Epirus are each assessed against conditions in their own area.
What Actions Must I Take As A Seller Or Landlord?
As a seller, you need a valid EPC before the transfer can be signed at the notary. As a landlord, you need one for every new rental agreement, and its protocol number is recorded in the electronic lease declaration with the tax authority. To have an EPC issued, you arrange an energy audit by a certified energy inspector from the official registry. The cost depends on the size of the property. After you choose the professional you want to work with, you provide them with a set of documents (listed below), and they visit the building to inspect it and issue the certificate. As a buyer, you have no obligation to organise an energy audit. This task falls to the seller.
What Do I Need To Issue An EPC?
To have an EPC issued, the inspector will typically ask for:
Your personal details (tax number, phone number)
The property details (address)
The property's cadastral reference number
The building permit and its reference number
A floor plan of the property
The boiler maintenance sheet and details of the air conditioning system
The communal expenses allocation table, for apartments in a shared building
With that, you are ready to take full advantage of your EPC.
Purchase Tips
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