Implementationof the EPBD in

1. Introduction

The first requirements for the energyefficiency of buildings in Croatia wereestablished by regulation in 1970. Thisregulation defined the requirements forthe building envelope (maximum specificthermal losses and permitted thermaltransmittance values). Improvements tothe requirements continued until 1987.Certain transposition activities of theEnergy Performance of Buildings Directive(EPBD) started in 2005 under the Ministryof Construction and Physical Planning(MCPP). The Technical regulation onenergy economy and heat retention inbuildings established the maximumpermitted annual energy needs forheating (QH,nd)[1], as well as a new,higher restriction on thermaltransmittance values (U‐values) forbuilding elements. In 2007, the PhysicalPlanning and Building Act transposed theprovisions of the EPBD related to theenergy certification of buildings andrequirements for the energy performanceof buildings.

Official implementation of the EPBDwithin Croatian regulations started in2008 under the MCPP, and involvedimproving the technical regulation andamending the Physical Planning andBuilding Act. As a result of the latter,certain parts of the transposition becamethe responsibility of the Ministry ofEconomy (Act of Energy End‐useEfficiency), in particular energycertification, regular inspection ofheating and air‐conditioning (AC) systemsin buildings, and establishment of anindependent control system. In this way,the EPBD transposition andimplementation was divided under the

competence of two ministries. The Act onEnergy End‐use Efficiency (in part relatedto energy efficiency in buildings) and thePhysical Planning and Building Act wereoverridden by the new Building Actpublished in 2013. With this newregulation, the transposition andimplementation of the EPBD passed underthe sole competence of the MCPP.

The Building Act (Official Gazette153/2013) has set the legislative basis forapplying minimum technical requirementsfor the energy performance of buildingsand their components, as well as forsetting requirements for existingbuildings and their components that areundergoing renovation. It also requiresthe drafting of studies containingtechnical, environmental and economicanalyses of alternative energy supplysystems, to be developed prior to buildingpermit issuance for all buildings with atotal useful surface area exceeding50 m2, the issuance of EnergyPerformance Certificates (EPCs), as wellas carrying out regular inspections ofheating and AC systems in buildings, andthe establishment of an independentcontrol system.

From 2012 to November 2014, newsubordinate regulations were adopted, orexisting ones were amended. The mostimportant one is the new Technicalregulation on rational use of energy andheat retention in buildings (OG 97/2014and 130/2014), in which calculations werecarried out for cost‐optimal levels ofminimum energy performancerequirements using the comparativemethodology framework for all types ofbuildings. Furthermore, definitions wereproposed for Nearly Zero‐Energy Buildings(NZEBs) for all types of buildings.

AUTHORNada Marđetko‐Škoro,Ministry ofConstruction andPhysical Planning

NATIONAL WEBSITE www.mgipu.hr

STATUS IN DECEMBER 2014Croatia

[1] According to ISO 13790:2008 Energy performance of buildings ­ Calculation of energy use for space heating and cooling,and also according to EU Regulation 244/2012.

Figure 1:Energy consumption in Croatia for the heating of residential buildings

per periods of application of the regulation[2] (expressed as QH,nd).

2. Current status ofimplementation of the EPBD

I. ENERGY PERFORMANCEREQUIREMENTS

I.i. Progress and current statusThe requirements for energyconsumption and heat retention inbuildings that were set and have beenimplemented since 2005, related inparticular to prescribing the maximumspecific thermal energy needs for heating(QH,nd) for residential and non‐residentialbuildings, and the maximum allowedheat transmission coefficients (U‐values)for single parts of the building envelope.There are additional requirementsrelated to energy savings in case ofbuilding reconstruction: the necessaryminimum heat retention, maximumthermal losses, reduction of the effectsof thermal bridges and prevention ofwater vapour condensation.

Based on the cost‐optimal analyses thatwere carried out in 2013 and 2014,requirements were set on individual typesof buildings regarding energy needs forheating (QH,nd). The requirementregarding the primary energy consumption(Eprim) is included in the Technicalregulation on rational use of energy andheat retention in buildings (OG 97/2014and 130/2014) and the remainingrequirements for delivered (final) energyconsumption (Edel) are specified in thenew technical regulation, published inNovember 2015 (OG 128/15).

The technical regulation (OG 97/2014 and130/2014) prescribes the requirements ofthe energy performance of new buildingsand, in case of major refurbishment, ofexisting buildings. Requirements areprescribed for maximum primary energyconsumptions, maximum annual energyneeds for heating, maximum heattransmission coefficients, reduction of theeffects of thermal bridges (for thispurpose, a catalogue of good solutions hasbeen developed), the efficiency oftechnical systems, the efficiency class ofthe building automation and controlsystem, the airtightness of buildings, andthe share of Renewable Energy Sources(RES). Provisions for indoor environmentalquality (including air quality, thermalcomfort, lighting and acoustics) are alsoensured, for which the valuesrecommended in HRN EN 15251:2008 areused.

Compliance with the requirements ofairtightness is proven by testing the newor renovated existing building accordingto HRN EN 13829:2002[3], method A,before the technical inspection of thebuilding. For a pressure differencebetween inside and outside of 50 Pa,measured airflow, reduced to a volume ofindoor air, should not exceed n50 = 3.0 h‐1

in buildings without mechanicalventilation devices, or n50 = 1.5 h‐1 in abuilding with a mechanical ventilationdevice. For multi‐family residentialbuildings, airtightness requirements mustbe fulfilled for each apartment. For non‐residential buildings, airtightnessrequirements must be fulfilled by the

[2] The first regulation was in 1970. Before that, construction was according to the prevailing common practices.[3] Thermal performance of buildings ­ Determination of air permeability of buildings ­ Fan pressurisation method.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 42

building envelope. The minimumairtightness of windows, balcony doorsand roof windows is determined accordingto EN 12207: 2001[4], and must be class 2for buildings of up to two floors, or class 3for higher buildings.

Annual energy needs for heating, QH,nd(kWh/year), is calculated according to thestandard ISO 13790:2008 monthly method,including requirement for calculating thesolar heat gains Qsol, necessary to considerthe opacity of movable shading in glazings.

Pursuant to the technical regulation, thereference climate is the climate observedat characteristic meteorological stationsin continental and littoral Croatia.Continental Croatia includes all placeswhere the mean monthly outdoortemperature of the coldest month is equalto or less than 3 οC as observed by theclosest to the building’s locationmeteorological station. Littoral Croatiaincludes all places where the meanmonthly outdoor temperature of thecoldest month is higher than 3 οC asobserved by the closest to the building’slocation meteorological station.

The requirements for residential and non‐residential buildings heated to atemperature of 18 οC or more, includeprescribed maximum values of energyneeds for heating (depending on thebuilding shape and climate) and maximumprimary energy consumption depending onthe climate (see Tables 1 and 2).

With regard to RES, the building mustmeet one of the following threerequirements:

1. at least 20% of the total energy needsfor the operation of the systems in thebuilding is covered by energy from RES;

2. a share of the total delivered energysupply for heating and cooling of thebuilding, as well as for Domestic HotWater (DHW), preparation is obtainedin one of the following ways:> at least 25% from solar radiation;> at least 30% from gaseous biomass;> at least 50% from solid biomass;> at least 70% from geothermal energy;> at least 50% from heat from the

environment;> at least 50% from cogeneration

installations with a high efficiency,in compliance with a specialregulation;

3. 50% of the energy needs of a building iscovered from district heating thatmeets the requirements from item 2.

Table 2:Optimal value of primary energy consumption (Eprim) by building typesaccording to cost­optimal analyses (Technical regulation 2014 current status).

Table 1:Maximum allowed annual thermal energy needs for heating(QH,nd) of residential and non­residential buildings heated to a temperatureof 18 oC or more (past and present status).

[4] Windows and doors ­ Air permeability ­ Classification

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 3

Table 3:Maximum allowedheat transmission

coefficient,U [W/m2.K], forelements of new

buildings and afterreconstruction ofexisting buildings

heated to atemperature of 18 οC

or more,and heated between

12 οC and 18 οC(previous and current

status).

I.ii. Format of nationaltransposition and implementationof existing regulationsThe Building Act (Official Gazette153/2013) has overridden two previousacts in which the transposition andimplementation of the EPBD had beendivided (the Act on Energy End‐useEfficiency, in part related to energyefficiency in buildings, and the PhysicalPlanning and Building Act). It has alsoamended subordinate regulations thatwere adopted earlier. Finally, the BuildingAct has provided a unique basis for fulltransposition of the EPBD. Thesubordinate regulations are:

> the Technical regulation on rational useof energy and heat retention inbuildings (OG 97/2014 and 130/2014);

> the Ordinance on energy audits ofbuildings and energy certification(OG 48/2014);

> the Ordinance on requirements andcriteria for persons performing energyaudits of construction works and energycertification of buildings (OG 81/2012and 64/2013);

> the Ordinance on the control of EnergyPerformance Certificates (EPCs) ofbuildings and of reports on energyaudits of construction works(OG 81/2012 and 79/2013);

> the methodology for carrying out energyaudits of construction works with thealgorithm for calculating the energyperformance of buildings (June 2014).

The national methodology includes thealgorithm for calculating the energyperformance of buildings. The algorithmis based on CEN standards, except inindividual cases where CEN standardswere not appropriate, in which case othersolutions were used (e.g., the applicationof the roof standard, ventilation and AC).The algorithm includes five partsaccording to the following calculationfields:

> energy needs for space heating andcooling in buildings according to HRN ENISO 13790;

> energy requirements and efficiency ofthermal technical systems in buildings(systems for space heating and DHW);

> energy requirements and efficiency ofthermal technical systems in buildings(cogeneration systems, district heatingsystems, photovoltaic systems);

> energy requirements and efficiency oflighting systems in buildings;

> energy requirements for the applicationof ventilation and AC systems for spaceheating and cooling in buildings.

For the purposes of primary energycalculation, a set of primary energyconversion factors were determined(Table 4). Their calculation used three‐year average data from actual annualenergy balances of Croatia in 2009‐2011(determined according to EUROSTAT’sMethodology for Energy Balances).

The maximum allowed heat transmission coefficient values for single parts of the building were tightened byapproximately 20% as compared to those prescribed in 2008.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 44

Table 4:Primary energyfactors*.

I.iii. Cost­optimal procedure forsetting energy performancerequirements

A cost‐optimal analysis was carried out forthe following building types: single‐familyhouses, apartment blocks, offices,educational buildings, hospitals, hotelsand restaurants, sports facilities andwholesale and retail trade buildings.When carrying out cost‐optimal analyses,the global cost has been calculated forevery building type variant. Thesensitivity analysis has been carried outwith regard to changes of discount rate,inflation rate, market interest rate, costof CO2 emissions and growth rate ofenergy costs.

Data on the lifecycle of components andtechnical systems were determinedpursuant to Standard EN 15459:2007,Energy performance of buildings ‐Economic evaluation procedure forenergy systems in buildings. For thosesystems and components not covered bythe standard, data from goodengineering practices in Croatia wereused. The microeconomic andmacroeconomic cost‐optimal analysis hasbeen carried out pursuant to the EURegulation 244/2012, fully pursuant toStandard EN 15459:2007.

The average performance of the buildingstock that constitutes the basis for thereference buildings is not applicable toNZEBs because the current averagebuilding cannot become NZEB according to

the cost‐optimal analysis, even withmajor refurbishments. Uniform inputparameters for the selection of thenecessary level of thermal insulation ofthe external envelope were achieved byoptimising the building concept withregard to solar energy capture andprotection from excessive solar gains. Thedifferences in the investment cost fordifferent thermal insulation levels arenegligible in relation to the total cost anddo not have a significant role indetermining the optimal level. Therelations between technological solutionsof the system are mostly fixed, regardlessof the thermal performance of theexternal envelope; as in all cases, thisrefers to a necessary small effect of theheating and cooling systems that operatesduring the peak load regimen during avery small share of time.

A comparison of the cost‐optimalanalysis in relation to the existingregulations cannot be given, since at thetime of the studies, energy needs forheating had not been particularlyregulated for each building type, andprimary and final energy had not beenregulated at all. The results of the cost‐optimal study with regards to maximumenergy consumption for each buildingtype expressed as energy needs forheating (QH,nd), primary energy (Eprim)and final energy (Edel) are listed inTables 5 and 6. Relevant requirementsshall be set with the new technicalregulation of 2015.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 5

Table 5: Maximum allowed requirementsfor new buildings heated to a temperature of 18 οC or more.

I.iv. Action plan for progressiontowards Nearly Zero­EnergyBuildings (NZEBs)Calculations were carried out for cost‐optimal levels of minimum energyperformance requirements for all types ofbuildings during 2013 and 2014.Furthermore, NZEB definitions wereproposed and implemented in thetechnical regulations OG 97/2014 and130/2014 for all types of buildings.

The primary energy needs for NZEBs(Table 7) have been established as thelowest primary energy value among theanalysed systems, as long as they do not

correspond to a high global cost. Therebyit is ensured that for NZEBs, technicallyfeasible solutions are determined.

The least‐cost measures have beendetermined by cost‐optimal analysis;therefore the optimal level of energyconsumption of buildings has beendetermined. In contrast, in determiningthe requirements for NZEBs, the solutionswith the lowest primary energy have beenchosen with no criteria for the global costsize.

At least 30% of the annual primary energymust be covered from RES generated on‐site (i.e, at the building or in its vicinity).

Table 6: Maximum allowed requirementsfor major refurbishments of buildings heated to a temperature of 18 oC or more.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 46

All new buildings that are underconstruction must comply with the NZEBstandard by 31 December 2020, and allnew buildings owned or occupied bypublic authorities must have NZEBperformance after 31 December 2018.Increasing the number of NZEBs is plannedto be achieved by stimulating constructionthrough programmes for the energyrenovation of buildings (four programmesaccording to building type).

The number of low‐energy and passivebuildings increases in Croatia on a yearlybasis and in particular for single‐familyhouses (Table 8). By December 2014,there were a total of 22 buildings (ofwhich 3 apartment blocks) with energyclass A+, representing an energyconsumption for heating (QH,nd) under15 kWh/m².year. Although the detailednational application of the NZEBdefinition took place in November 2014and no NZEB according to that regulationhas been built yet, examples of existingbuildings that already fulfil the envisagedNZEB requirements can be provided. Themulti‐family building “Šparna hiža” (inthe local dialect, the name for a low‐energy house) in the city of Koprivnica,was designed at the level of energy classA+ with a final energy consumption forheating being less than 15 kWh/m².year,with the total final energy consumptionamounting to 33.66 kWh/m².year, andwith a renewable solar energy source.

Table 8:The planned annualincrease in NZEBsaccording to theNational Action Plan toincrease the numberof NZEBs by 2020(published in 2014).

Table 7: Maximum primary energy for NZEBs by building type(Technical regulation 2014 current status).

Figure 2:First Šparna hiža in Koprivnica.

Figure 3:Third Šparna hiža in Koprivnica.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 7

I.v. Implementation of the EnergyEfficiency Directive (EED)regarding building renovationand the exemplary role of publicbuildings

The long‐term strategy for mobilisinginvestment in renovating the nationalbuilding stock in Croatia was published inthe Official Gazette on June 2014. Thestrategy's main objective is to identify,on the basis of the established optimaleconomic and energy model for buildingrenovation, effective measures for long‐term mobilisation of cost‐effective deeprenovation of the building stock in theRepublic of Croatia by 2050, including allbuildings from the residential and non‐residential sectors. The strategy dealswith several topics: an overview of thenational building stock of the Republic ofCroatia, analysis of key elements of thebuilding renovation programme, policiesand measures to stimulate cost‐effectivedeep renovations of buildings, a forward‐looking perspective to guide individualinvestment decisions, the constructionindustry and financial institutions up to2050, and an evidence‐based estimate ofexpected energy savings and widerbenefits based on calculations and modeldata, including wider economic benefitsfrom energy savings, and improvedhousing and quality of work.

When selecting measures aimed atincreasing energy efficiency, along withrenovating the external buildingenvelope pursuant to the technicalregulations and overall buildingrenovation pursuant to passive, as wellas active building standards, theintroduction of systems using RES werealso concurrently considered to thehighest possible extent, with as aim tomeet the requirements from Article 9 ofthe EPBD, which prescribes theapproximation of the building/renovationstandards of NZEBs.

Achieving the objectives of energyrenovation according to NZEB standards,requires significant funds for investmentand operational costs, estimated atnearly 7 billion € up to 2050. With theproposed dynamic of energy renovation,the total reduction of CO2 emissions by2020 will be 87.22%. The sources offinancing currently available are notsufficient to realise the set goals, sonew, innovative financing mechanismsare proposed, which combine public andmarket instruments customised so that awide range of investors are introduced.Structural and investment funds of theEuropean Union will represent theprimary source of funds for the removalof barriers in the financial sector, andwill gradually allow more involvement of

Figure 4:Energy renovation of

public sector buildingsflowchart according to

the Programme forenergy renovation of

public sector buildings2014­2015.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 48

financial institutions and privateinvestors in the energy services market.The required energy saving level incentral government buildings (774buildings with 1,325,000 m2), pursuant tothe EED, must be achieved through analternative approach, in line with Article5 of the EED. The annual savings(equivalent to renovating 3% of thebuildings owned and occupied by thecentral government) have beencalculated to reach 1,36 GWh (4,89 TJ)per year. This consumption correspondsto approximately 17 buildings beingrenovated annually, and represents0.0045% of the total final consumptionwithin all buildings in 2012(ca 29,777.78 GWh).

The Programme for the energyrenovation of public sector buildingspromotes the complete reconstruction ofthe building, which therefore includesmeasures for the building envelope andfor technical systems. For thesemeasures, private capital investment isused, with no extra cost to the statebudget. The programme envisages theenergy renovation of existing buildings inwhich profitability is established, or forbuilding a new building in which theprovider of energy services can offer theenergy savings provided by the project.All the costs, including the costs ofmaintenance, design, financing and othercosts, must be appropriate tocompensate for the fee paid by theclient. To be included in the programme,the building must meet the followingcriteria:

1. the building has a large annualenergy consumption(usually > 200 kWh/m2);

2. the building is not part of a complex,and the energy consumption can beclearly separated from theneighbouring buildings;

3. the building has no non‐compliances interms of other essential requirementsof building;

4. the building is not protected ascultural heritage, because that couldraise the investment costs and thepay‐back period over 14 years.

I.vi. Other relevant plans

Although financial institutions havedeveloped market models with morefavourable loan conditions for energyefficiency projects, in this sector therole of the government continues to becrucial for the success of the

implementation. For this reason, theMCPP launched the development ofenergy renovation programmes for fouridentified building purposes (public,commercial, multi‐residential andfamily houses). Four programmes forenergy renovation of buildings wereadopted:

> The Programme for energy renovationof public sector buildings 2014‐2015,as described in connection toimplementation of Article 5 of theEED.This programme regulates theprocedure of carrying out energyservices in the public sector in such away that the private sector plays therole of energy services provider, andthe cost‐effectiveness of theinvestment is supported by grants ofthe Environmental Protection andEnergy Efficiency Fund, privilegedloans of the Croatian Reconstructionand Development Bank, andguarantees of the Croatian Agency forSMEs, Innovations and InvestmentsAgency.

> The Programme for energyrenovation of family houses2014‐2020 and the Programme forenergy renovation of multi‐residential buildings 2014‐2020.These programmes provide co‐financingfor energy renovation of family housesand multi‐residential buildings withfunds from the EnvironmentalProtection and Energy Efficiency Fund,EU structural instruments and budgetsof local and regional self‐governmentunits.

> The Programme for energy renovationof commercial buildings 2014‐2020.This programme provides co‐financingof energy renovation of commercialpurpose buildings with the followingfinancial mechanisms foreseen:• establishment of revolving funds

following the JESSICA model;• introduction of priority measures of

energy efficiency renovation withinthe framework of operativeprogrammes for the use of funds fromEU structural instruments;

• introduction of legal obligations toenergy suppliers to achieve energysavings of their customers;

• continuous implementation ofprogrammes and projects of theEnvironmental Protection and EnergyEfficiency Fund.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 9

II. REQUIREMENTS FORTECHNICAL BUILDINGSYSTEMS(TBS)

II.i. Coverage of heating,domestic hot water, air­conditioning and large ventilationsystemsRequirements for technical systems areprescribed in the Technical regulation onrational use of energy and heat retentionin buildings. The designed and installedheating systems in new buildings mustcompensate for heat losses in order tomaintain indoor thermal comfort.Amongst other requirements, a heatingsystem must have thermally insulatedpipework, low design temperature (e.g.,≤ 60 °C, recommended ≤ 40 °C) of theheating medium (e.g., water) and abalanced regulation of indoortemperature in the building. The energyefficiency of the system for DHW is metby the selection of heat generationequipment (through tanks or instantly),energy efficient distribution and balancedregulation of the systems in the building.

In case of the reconstruction of thetechnical system in existing buildings, suchas replacements of heat generators, energyfuel, central ventilation units, lightingsystems, etc., the requirements for thetechnical regulation relating to the newbuilding are applied if the total cost of thereconstruction exceeds 25% of the technicalsystem value. If reconstruction does notexceed 25% of the technical system value,the energy efficiency of the building mustnot be lowered, and the system must atleast have the technical characteristics thatit had before reconstruction (existingtechnical characteristics). The Technicalregulation for heating and cooling systemsin buildings determines the requirementsfor energy performance, design elements,installation, fitness for purpose,maintenance, etc. The Technical regulationon ventilation, partial air‐conditioning andconditioning systems in buildings prescribesthe technical performance of ventilation,partial AC and AC systems in buildings, aswell as the requirements for their design,execution, fitness for use, maintenance,and other requirements for these systems.

II.ii. Regulation of systemperformance, distinct fromproduct or whole buildingperformanceThe regulations indicate that newresidential buildings comprising more than3 residential units must be equipped witha centralised heat generation system. This

is not required under the followingcircumstances:

> for buildings connected to a districtheating system;

> for buildings with gas‐fired heatingsystems;

> for buildings equipped with heatingsystems with air/air heat pumps, if theseasonal heating factor of individualheat pumps is SCOP ≥ 4.0;

> for buildings equipped with heatingsystems with air/water, water/waterand soil/water heat pumps, if theseasonal heating factor of individualheat pumps is SPF ≥ 3.0. This seasonalfactor includes the heat pump,regulation, auxiliary heating unit andother parts of the system, such aspumps and ventilators on the side of theheat storage tank;

> when the annual thermal energy needsfor heating per surface area unit of theuseful building floor area Q’’H,nd(KWh/m2.year) in which a controlledtemperature is maintained does notexceed 15 kWh/m2.year.

There are no specific requirements forheating systems in non‐residentialbuildings. The technical regulationrequires the use of a centralised heatgeneration system in residentialbuildings, because they generally havemore than one owner (e.g., dwellings inapartment building), so this reducesprivate investment and additional costsfor each owner in every building unitseparately. This problem does not occurin non‐residential buildings, because non‐residential buildings typically have oneowner who provides a centralised heatgeneration system for the entire building.

The air change rate of indoor air inbuildings where persons stay or work shallbe at least 0.5 h‐1. At the time when thebuilding is unoccupied, an air change rateof at least 0.2 h‐1 should be provided. Thelowest air change rate shall be higher inindividual parts of the building ifnecessary for the purpose of avoidingthreats to hygiene and health conditions,and/or due to the use of open‐flameheating and/or cooking devices. If it is notpossible to ensure natural air ventilationthat meets the requirements for theprescribed air quality, hybrid ormechanical ventilation should bedesigned. For multi‐family residentialbuildings, airtightness requirements mustbe fulfilled for each apartment. For non‐residential buildings, airtightnessrequirements must be fulfilled for thebuilding envelope.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 410

When installing a new forced ventilationor AC system, or in case of an extensivereconstruction of the existing one, thespecific fan power must be at least class Iaccording to HRN EN 13779:2008:SFP < 500 W/(m3/s).

Heat recovery must be provided if thebuilding (residential or non‐residential)meets all the following requirements:

> it is ventilated by a mechanical device;> the air exchange rate exceeds 0.7 h‐1, in

line with the intended use of thebuilding;

> the outdoor air flow rate exceeds a totalof 2,500 m3/h (694 l/s).

If heat recovery is installed, then it mustcomply with the following minimumefficiency (η) requirements:

> heat recovery circulation system: totalη ≥ 0.55 (application only in case ofseparate installation of the pressure andextraction ventilation unit);

> other heat recovery systems: totalη ≥ 0.70.

Building automation and control systemsinclude products, software and technicalservices for automatic regulation,supervision and optimisation, humanintervention and control. They arecalculated pursuant to the HRN EN15232:2012 standard. Four systemefficiency classes are established: A, B, Cand D, with class A relating to buildingswith a highly efficient system, and class Dreferring to non‐efficient systems. In newand existing buildings that are undergoingrenovation, the designed automation andcontrol system must be of A, B or Cefficiency class (Table 9).

II.iii. Provisions for installation,dimensioning, adjustment andcontrol

There are a series of technical measuresfor heat distribution elements in abuilding that must be fulfilled whendesigning a new system or during majorrefurbishment of existing systems. Aheating element supplying heat to a roommust have a heat regulator installed (e.g.,a thermostatic radiator valve in thecentral heating system) if the usablesurface area of the net floor area of aroom exceeds 6 m2.

New and refurbished systems providingheating and DHW must include pipeworkinsulation. The minimum thermalinsulation thickness must be:

> 2/3 of the pipe diameter, and notexceeding 100 mm for conduits or

fittings in a non‐temperature‐controlledbuilding area;

> 1/3 of the pipe diameter, and notexceeding 50 mm for conduits or fittingsinside the walls and grooves of theintermediate structure, at the conduitintersection, near central heatingmedium distributors;

> 1/3 of the pipe diameter, and notexceeding 50 mm for conduits or fittingsin a temperature‐controlled buildingarea;

> 6 mm if acoustic insulation in theintermediate structure for conduits andfittings in the surface layer of the floor.

Thermal insulation is also necessary forheat accumulation tanks (at least 50 mm).When designing the construction of a newsystem or renovating an existing onecomprising a heat storage tank (e.g., forDHW), the tank must be provided with atleast a 50 mm thick insulation, so as tominimise thermal losses of connectionpipes and fittings.

Requirements for sizing the system are setin the main design. Sizing, adjustmentand control is carried out by an authoriseddesigner in line with professionalstandards. The functionality of thetechnical system is tested according tothe requirements in the projectdocumentation before commissioning. Inaddition, the supervising engineer carriesout the control of the whole constructionaccording to the main design.

II.iv. Encouragement of activeenergy­saving control(automation, control andmonitoring)

As indicated above, there are energyfactors to be applied if the buildingincludes automation controls (dependingon the class). This also serves as anencouragement measure, e.g., in theProgramme of energy renovation of publicsector buildings. One of the criteria in thepublic procurement procedure includesautomation of fuel and/or waterconsumption metering.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Table 9:Energy efficiency ofautomation andcontrol – residentialand non­residentialbuildings – heatingand cooling.

11

III. ENERGY PERFORMANCECERTIFICATES (EPCs)REQUIREMENTS

The Ordinance on energy audits ofbuildings and energy certification(OG 48/2014) prescribes, amongst others,the method of energy certification, thecontent and form of the EPC of buildings,energy management in buildings, and theestablishment of measures for improvingenergy efficiency in buildings.

III.i. Progress and current statuson sale or rental of buildings

Overview and administration system

An EPC is mandatory as of July 2013 forthe sale of a building or a building unit.Energy certification is preceded by theenergy audit mandatory for new buildingsprior to permit issuance, for existingbuildings that are being sold, and forexisting public buildings for which thedisplay of EPCs is prescribed. Only thoseEPCs entered in the registry kept by theMCPP are valid. Currently there is noobligation to produce an EPC for rentingout or leasing a building or a building unit.This obligation must apply from January2016.

In order to produce an EPC, an energyaudit of the building or building unit isrequired. The method of carrying outthese energy audits is officiallyestablished in the Methodology forcarrying out energy audits of buildings.Energy audits of independent buildingunits (apartments or offices) must includethe following actions:

> on‐site inspection and data gathering onthe energy performance of the building,its technical systems, the effectiveregimen and parameters of building useand the actual consumption of energyand water (over the last three yearsbills);

> analysis of the building energyperformance and its technical systems;

> analysis of the existing energymanagement;

> energy calculation (demand, final,primary) according to algorithms andstandardised regimen of use, for realand reference climatic data;

> development of an energy balance andmodels according to the actual use(control on the basis of gathered bills);

> proposal of economically justifiedmeasures for improving the energyperformance of an independent buildingunit, and general recommendations forthe building if energy generation is

centralised – calculated on the basis ofthe actual manner of the use of theindependent building unit.

Upon having performed the energy auditand the energy audit report, the EPC isprepared which includes a proposal formeasures to improve the energyefficiency of these systems or theapplication of alternative solutions.

EPCs are valid for a period of 10 years. Incase of reconstruction that affects theenergy class, the new EPC can be issuedbefore the expiration of 10 years. Forbuildings that are included in the energyrenovation programmes (regardless ofwhether it is minor or majorrefurbishment), energy certification afterrenovation is mandatory, as well as thecalculation of achieved energy savings inrelation to pre‐renovation.

How flats are certified in apartmentbuildings

For new multi‐residential buildings, priorto the issuance of the use permit, a singleEPC is prepared for the entire building. Itis also possible to have an EPCadditionally issued for an individualbuilding unit, if requested by theinvestor. In such a case, for this individualbuilding unit, the separately issued EPC isalso valid. When individual building unitsare sold, then only the specific buildingunit on sale will require a certification. Asindicated before, the obligation ofobtaining an EPC when renting out orleasing a flat must also be applied as of1 January 2016.

Format and content of the EPC

EPCs of residential and non‐residentialbuildings contain 5 pages. The first pageindicates the energy class that ishighlighted and data on the authorisedperson who prepared the certificate. Theenergy class is expressed as energy needsfor space heating QH,nd. The second pagecontains climatic data, data on technicalsystems, the thermal characteristics ofthe individual envelope elements, theenergy needs of the building (annualdemand for heating, DHW preparation,ventilation, lighting), the total annualdelivered and primary energy, and carbondioxide emissions.

The third page contains a proposal ofmeasures for improving the energyperformance of the building, includinginstructions to the occupant on wheremore detailed information on energyefficiency improvement measures isavailable. In case of new buildings, thethird page also includes recommendations

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 412

to the new building owner concerning theuse of the building in order to achieve thedesigned energy consumption. The fourthand fifth pages contain explanations oftechnical terms and a list of appliedregulations and standards.

The energy class is expressed as specificthermal energy needs for heating (QH,nd)in the reference climate (continental orlittoral).

The relative value of the annual thermalenergy needs for heating for non‐residential buildings, QH,nd,rel [%], is theratio of the specific annual energy needsfor heating for reference climatic data,Q'H,nd,ref [kWh/m³.year] and the permittedspecific annual energy needs for heatingfor reference climatic data,Q'H,nd,dop [kWh/m³.year], and is calculatedaccording to the following expression:

QH,nd,rel = Q'H,nd,ref / Q'H,nd,dop x 100 [%].

A special format of EPC is established forother non‐residential buildings that areheated to a temperature between 12°Cand 18°C and in which energy is used to

achieve certain conditions. For thesetypes of buildings, no energy class isstated, but a proposal of measures is alsogiven to improve the energy performance(e.g., warehouses, production facilities,workshops, garages, etc.).

Figure 6:EPC of a non­residential building –first page.

NOTE: Energy classes ofresidential buildings areexpressed as Q’’H,nd,ref –specific annual energy needsfor heating for referenceclimatic data in kWh/m².yearaccording to the followingscale:

Figure 5:EPC of a residential building – first page.

Figure 7:EPC of othernon­residentialbuildings – first page.

NOTE: Energy classes of non­residential buildings areexpressed as QH,nd,rel –relative value of the annualthermal energy needs forheating expressed in % andaccording to the followingscale:

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 13

EPC activity levels

Since first issued in 2010, there has beenan increasing growth in the number ofEPCs, both for new and existing buildings,especially from July 2013 onwards. As ofDecember 2014, there are a total of64,560 EPCs for both new buildings(12,260) and existing buildings (52,300).

This also includes EPCs for the purpose ofdisplay in public buildings.

Classes B and C are prevailing in newbuildings, and C and D in existing ones. Inaddition, new buildings have less EPCswith a low energy class and more with ahigh energy class, whereas in existingbuildings, there is a reversed situation.

Figure 8:Issued EPCs.

Figure 9:Issued EPCscomparative

overview.

Figure 11: Issued EPCs by type of building:new and existing.

Figure 10: Issued EPCs by type of building:residential and non­residential.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 414

Considering all the certified buildingstogether, the common class is C, so thisrepresents the average energy class forthe building stock in Croatia. Nearly aquarter of the issued EPCs are in Zagreb.In addition, more developed counties havemore issued EPCs, and vice versa.

Typical EPC costs

Initially, the maximum price for EPCs wasprescribed for buildings and individualunits in relation to their size. Since 2014,the Decision on maximum prices is nolonger in force and price formation ismarket based.

The average market price of an EPC for anexisting apartment in a building amountsto approximately 1,000 kuna (130 €). Forentire buildings, the price depends on thecomplexity of technical systems, and theshape and size of the building. The priceincludes the costs of the energy audit, thepreparation of the energy audit report andthe preparation of the EPC, including thesuggested measures for improving theenergy performance of the building. Theestimated average cost of an EPC for anaverage house (150 m2) is approximately2,000 kuna (270 €), and for an averageapartment building (500 m2) 5,000 kuna(670 €). For an average non‐residentialbuilding (3,000 m2), the cost varies verymuch depending on the building type(e.g., an office building is much cheaperthan hospitals), but it can be estimated tocost, on average, about 15,000 kuna(2,000 €). The cost for EPCs experienced adecrease in 2013 due to an increasingnumber of authorised persons.

Assessor corps

The requirements for persons issuing EPCsand carrying out regular inspections ofheating systems, and cooling or ACsystems in buildings are prescribed by theOrdinance on requirements and criteriafor persons performing energy audits ofconstruction works and energycertification of buildings (OG 81/2012 and64/2013).

Energy certification of buildings isperformed by both authorised natural andlegal persons. Authorisation is granted bythe MCPP for:

> energy audits and certification ofbuildings with a simple technical system(natural and legal persons);

> energy audits of buildings with acomplex technical system (natural andlegal persons);

> energy certification of buildings with acomplex technical system (legal persons).

Figure 12:Issued EPCs by classes ­ existing buildings.

Figure 13:Issued EPCs by classes ­ new buildings

Figure 14:Issued EPCs by classes ­ all buildings.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 15

The authorisation to audit and certifycomplex systems also authorises the auditand certification of simpler systems.

The energy audits of buildings with acomplex technical system (a requirementfor EPCs), must be carried out byauthorised persons:

> for the mechanical part of the building,a person qualified in the field ofmechanical engineering;

> for the construction part of the building,a person qualified in the field ofarchitecture or civil engineering;

> for the electrical engineering part of thetechnical system, a person qualified inthe field of electrical engineering.

The EPC must be signed by the personauthorised to issue EPCs and by all personswho participated in the energy audit.

The authorisation is granted for a periodof 5 years, whereupon it can be extendedfor the same period. The requirements forauthorisation include a completedgraduate university study in the field ofarchitecture, civil engineering,mechanical engineering or electricalengineering, and 5 years of professionalworking experience. The requirementsalso include the successful completion ofthe appropriate professional trainingprogramme carried out by authorisedinstitutions (Module 1 and Module 2). Thetraining programme consists of twomodules, one following up the other, anda Continuous Development Programme(CPD). Module 1 enables authorisation forenergy audits and certification of buildingswith a simple technical system, andModule 2 enables authorisation for energyaudits and certification of buildings with acomplex technical system.

Module 1 has a duration of 40 hours andcontains themes related to regulations (EUdirectives in the field of energy efficiencyand national legislation transposing theirprovisions), themes from the field ofbuilding physics, on heating systems,electric lighting, on the methodology ofcarrying out energy audits and applyingcomputer tools. Module 2 also has aduration of 40 hours. It builds on thethemes of Module 1, but with additionalthemes, e.g., RES, alternative energysupply systems, cooling devices,regulation and automation systems inbuildings, electric lighting in buildings,public lighting, etc. In Croatia, there are13 regionally distributed institutions(faculties and professional organisations)that were granted authorisation forcarrying out the training programme. Bythe end of December 2014, authorisationhad been granted to 1,673 natural andlegal persons (Table 10).

Compliance levels by sector

There are penalties prescribed by law forthose owners who fail to provide an EPCat sale, if they fail to deliver it to buyers,or if they fail to indicate the energy classin sale advertisements published in themedia. Penalties are also established forauthorised real estate brokers if – actingon behalf of their clients to which theyprovide brokerage services – they fail toinclude the energy class in the mediaadvertisements. The prescribed fines forowners and real estate brokers amount to15,000 to 30,000 kuna (approximately2,000 ‐ 4,000 €), for a legal person, and to

Figure 16: Authorised persons according to first accreditation.

Table 10: Accreditations for simple and complex technical systemsby the end of December 2014.

Figure 15: Authorised persons according to qualification.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 416

5,000 to 10,000 kuna (approximately700 ‐ 1,300 €), for owners and real estatebrokers who are natural persons. No finehas been issued yet. The supervision ofthe compliance with this obligation isunder the competence of the Ministry ofEconomy ‐ market inspectorate.

Authorised persons have the obligation tosubmit the EPCs, together with thereports on performed energy audits, tothe registry within 15 days from beingissued. The fines prescribed for legalpersons range from 30,000 to 45,000 kuna(approximately 4,000 ‐ 6,000 €), and from15,000 to 30,000 kuna (approximately2,000 – 4,000 €) for natural persons. Nofine has been issued yet.

Quality Assurance (QA) of EPCs

All issued EPCs undergo administrativecontrols during their entry into the database (registry). Administrative controlincludes checking whether the EPC ismade by a person with the appropriateauthorisation, whether all the requiredfiles are submitted, whether the EPC isproperly marked, etc.

The method of carrying out the control ofEPCs is prescribed by the Ordinance onthe control of EPCs of buildings and ofreports on energy audits of constructionworks (OG 81/2012 and 79/2013). Personsauthorised for carrying out the control ofEPCs are legal persons who comply withthe requirements regarding experience inproviding EPCs. On this basis, 5 legalpersons have been authorised to carry outcontrols.

Detailed quality control of 105 EPCs(84 residential building EPCs, 21 non‐residential building EPCs) was carried outduring the period of December 2013 toSeptember 2014. This represents 0.2% ofall the EPCs that were issued. The controlincluded control of input data, accuracyof energy class calculations and proposedmeasures for improved energyperformance of buildings. An EPC isdeclared invalid if it contains calculationresults, input data or proposed measureswith significant deviations (more than30%). If an EPC is declared invalid, theinformation is published on the ministry’swebsite, the responsible expert mustdraft a new EPC free of charge, and a fineis imposed. The fines prescribed for legalpersons range from 30,000 to 45,000 kuna(approximately 4,000 ‐ 6,000 €), and from15,000 to 30,000 kuna (approximately2,000 ‐ 4,000 €) for natural persons. Incase several EPCs from the sameauthorised person are declared invalid,their authorisation may be revoked.

The result of carried out control showsthat almost 15% of controlled EPCs aredeclared invalid, and others containcertain irregularities that do not affectthe energy class. These results can beexplained due to the very small sample ofthe controlled EPCs, and the fact that asignificant amount of EPCs were controlleddue to complaints, and not by randomselection. Authorised persons have to issuea new EPC to replace the one declaredinvalid. Also, the misdemeanourproceedings for the imposition of fineswere started. A further approximately 200detailed quality control of EPCs began atthe end of 2014, bringing the total sampleof quality controlled EPCs to 0.5% of thetotal issued EPCs.

III.ii. Progress and current statuson public and large buildingsvisited by the public

Overview

Public buildings, for which an EPC must bedisplayed, include several types: buildingsused by public authorities for performingtheir activities (e.g., ministry buildings),buildings used for community living (e.g.,nursing homes, student dorms) and non‐residential buildings in which a number ofpeople are present, or a larger number ofpeople are provided a service (e.g., retailshops, hotels). These definitions mayapply to an individual building or a part ofa building.

All public buildings with a total useful floorarea over 500 m2 must display the EPC.From July 2015, this requirement alsoapplies to public buildings with a totaluseful floor area over 250 m2. Municipalservices officers verify whether these EPCsare adequately displayed, by visiting thebuildings and making a report. In case ofnon‐compliance with the regulation, theyshall ask the owner to display the EPC.

EPCs for public buildings are of the sameformat as that of non‐residentialbuildings, and follow the same procedures(audit followed by issue of EPC). Theassessors of public buildings also followthe same requirements as those for non‐residential buildings. Out of the totalissued building EPCs, 19% refer to publicbuildings, approximately 12,000. Publicbuildings account for approximately 90%of the non‐residential EPCs. The costs fora public building EPC is the same aspreviously described for non‐residentialbuildings (approximately 15,000 kuna or2,000 €). EPCs are also valid over a periodof 10 years. If measures are carried out ona building, whereby an improvement of

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 17

the building energy performance isachieved, the EPC must be re‐issued.

Fines for public building owners who failto display the EPC are established by lawand amount to 15,000 to 30,000 kuna(approximately 2,000 ‐ 4,000 €) for legalpersons, and 5,000 to 10,000 kuna(approximately 700 ‐ 1,300 €) for naturalpersons. No fines have yet been issued.This obligation is commonly followed.

III.iii. Implementation ofmandatory advertisingrequirementAs of January 2014, there is an obligationto indicate the energy class in saleadvertisements published in the media(papers and other press, radio andtelevision programmes, electronicpublications, teletext, etc.). Portals that

have the sole purpose of advertising anddo not contain edited programmecontents published daily or periodically byan electronic publication provider forpurposes of public information andeducation, namely real estate portals, arenot considered media. This obligation iscommonly followed.

III.iv. Information campaignsIn order to improve public information onthe need and significance of the energycertification of buildings, a number ofactivities have been carried out. Thereare help desks providing information tocitizens, and the ministry’s officialwebsite provides additional information tocitizens and authorised persons. For thepurposes of promoting nationalprogrammes of energy renovation ofbuildings, workshops with interest groupswere carried out, and additionally, ananimated film covering the topic has beenmade and broadcast during 2013.

The Energy Efficiency and EnvironmentalProtection Fund, within the scope of itsactivities, also supports energy efficiencyprogrammes, including carrying out energyaudits of buildings and preparing EPCs. In2013, for the purposes of carrying outenergy audits and presentation activities,268,842.24 kuna (approximately 36,000 €),were spent, and in 2014, 5,082,547.27 kuna(approximately 678,000 €). For encouragingeducational and information activities inthe field of energy efficiency, 153,980 kuna(approximately 21,000 €) were spent in2013 and 2,063,212.39 kuna (approximately275,000 €) in 2014. In 2014, public tenderswere carried out for co‐financing of energyaudits, production of EPCs, energyrenovations, RES, or other energyefficiency projects in buildings(www.fzoeu.hr). These activities represent34,029,783.01 kuna (approximately4,537,000 €) in investments.

III.v. Coverage of the nationalbuilding stockAccording to several sources, the overallbuilding stock in Croatia consists of899,107 buildings (Table 11).

The residential building stock covers 86%of the national building stock and includes294,317 (33%) multi‐residential buildingsand 477,594 family houses (53%). Themajority of the non‐residential buildingsconsists of public sector buildings andcommercial purpose buildings. There are45,541 (5%) commercial purpose buildings,including shops, hotels, restaurants, etc,and the number of public sector buildingsamounts to 81,655 (9%).

Figure 17:Clip from an

animated filmpromoting energy

certification.

Figure 18:Clip from an

animated filmpromoting energy

certification.

Figure 19:Building stock in

Croatia.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 418

IV. INSPECTIONREQUIREMENTS – HEATINGAND AIR­CONDITIONING (AC)SYSTEMS

In response to Articles 14 and 15 of theEPBD, Croatia has opted for carrying outregular inspections of heating systems andcooling/AC systems in buildings. Thisobligation has been transposed first by theAct of Energy End‐use Efficiency in 2012.Now, the Building Act is the legal basis forregular inspections, including the dynamicsfor carrying out regular inspections ofthese systems. Regular inspections includeinspections of accessible parts of theheating system and AC system. The reportto be drafted on the performed inspectionmust also include a proposal of measuresfor improving the energy performance.Development of the registry of reports is inprogress and will be in function by the endof 2015.

i. Progress and current status onheating systems and AC systems

Overview, technical method andadministration system

Regular inspection of the heating systemand cooling or AC system in a building

must be carried out concurrently with theenergy audit of the building for purposesof EPC issuance because for now, thesetwo obligations overlap.

When not concurrent with EPC issuance,heating systems with a boiler of aneffective rated output of more than20 kW are regularly inspected every10 years. Those with a boiler of aneffective rated output of more than100 kW are inspected every 2 years, or4 years in the case of a gas‐fuelled boiler.Cooling or AC systems in buildings witheffective rated output of more than12 kW must be regularly inspected atleast once every 10 years.

A regular inspection of the heating systemand cooling or AC system in a buildingincludes collection and inspection ofdocuments, visual and functionalinspection of the heating system and ofheated areas, the necessarymeasurements, assessment of the size of

Figure 20:Issued EPCs by typesof residential andnon­residentialbuildings.

Table 11:Percentage of theCroatian buildingstock with an EPC atthe end of December2014.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 19

the system relative to building needs,development of a proposal of measuresfor improving the energy efficiency of thesystem and/or application of alternativesolutions and drafting of the final report.The report must contain information onall actions carried out within theframework of the regular inspection,measurement results, comparisons withtechnical specifications of themanufacturer, and a proposal of measuresfor improving the energy efficiency of thesystem. Reports are prepared byauthorised persons. The report content isdetermined by the Ordinance andMethodology for carrying out energyaudits of buildings.

Inspectors are the same persons who canperform energy audits of buildings with acomplex technical system, but only aperson who is also qualified in the field ofmechanical engineering. By the end of2014, a total of 213 authorised persons(natural and legal) are allowed to carryout regular inspections of heating and ACsystems in buildings. Enforcement andpenalties for regular inspections ofheating and AC systems are the same asfor the energy certification of buildings.However, as no separate heating and ACreports were issued in 2013 and 2014(they are carried out as part of issuingEPCs), no fines have yet been issued. Anew ordinance under preparation willbetter regulate this issue.

Promotional activities for regularinspections of heating and AC systemswere carried out within the framework ofpromotional activities for the energycertification of buildings.

Quality control of inspection reports

The method of carrying out control ofinspection reports is prescribed by theOrdinance OG 81/2012 and 79/2013. Onthis basis, to date, 4 legal persons havebeen authorised for carrying out controls(the same legal persons have beenauthorised for carrying out control of EPCsof buildings) and employ natural personswith completed university qualificationsin the field of mechanical engineering.The content of the controls includesverification and control of the validity ofinput data, completeness of reports, andcompleteness of the measures proposedto improve energy efficiency. As noseparate heating and AC reports wereissued so far, no inspection reports werecontrolled in 2013 and 2014.

3. A success story in EPBDimplementation

Dissemination and training on energyefficiency for professionals in the field ofarchitecture, construction and buildingservices (mechanical and electrical)started with implementing the firstprofessional training programmes forpersons who would perform energy auditsand energy certification of buildings.These programmes have beenimplemented since 2009 and have beendeveloped in such a way to be applicableto all the indicated professions. Theobjective of the programmes is toenhance knowledge in fields linked withenergy consumption in buildings for theindicated engineering professions, and toacquire certain knowledge and skills from

Figure 21:Proposal of measures

for improving theenergy efficiency in

the reports of regularinspections of heating

and AC systems in abuilding.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 420

other professions in order to establish apool of engineers that, with theircompetencies, are able to considerconstruction works and buildings as awhole in terms of energy.

The programmes are carried out byprofessional institutions ‐ 7 faculties,2 institutes and 4 professionalorganisations, with lecturers beingrecognised professionals. Since thebeginning of programme implementation,more than 2,200 engineers havecompleted these training programmes, ofwhich the majority are authorised to carryout energy audits, energy certification ofbuildings and regular inspections ofheating and cooling or AC systems inbuildings. By the end of 2014, 1,673authorisations were issued to legal andnatural persons. This Croatian model ofcreating professional and competent stafffor carrying out energy audits and energycertifications of buildings has also beenimplemented by other countries in theBalkan region.

Furthermore, energy efficiency has alsofound its place in the curriculum ofuniversity institutions. Thus, as of the2013/2014 academic year, the Faculty ofCivil Engineering in Osijek has beencarrying out, within the framework of thegraduate university study, the electivecourse Energy‐efficient construction works.In terms of content, the course comprisesthree units: (1) Legislative framework andtechnical regulations in the field of energyefficiency; (2) Methodology of thermalenergy calculation and thermography, andTechnology and construction works, aimedat energy efficiency increase; and (3)Economic aspects of energy efficiency.Upon successful completion of the courseprogramme, students are able to calculatethe heat transmission coefficient and thenecessary energy for heating and coolingneeds of residential buildings, todetermine technological measures and todescribe the works necessary for buildingsin order to increase energy efficiency, andto evaluate different solutions on the basisof economic cost‐benefit analyses.

In order to ensure adequate skills andabilities of construction workers andinstallers on the Croatian market, theMCPP launched the project CROSKILLS ‐Build Up Skills Croatia, in June 2012. Thisproject focuses on improving the educationsystem of construction workers andinstallers of technical systems in the fieldof energy efficiency. The project is part ofthe EU initiative for a workforce in thearea of sustainable construction withinenergy efficiency and renewable energy,

and it is jointly carried out in 30 Europeancountries. The project Build up SkillsCroatia (CROSKILLS) – Pillar I has beensuccessfully implemented, defining theneeds for educated workers on energyefficiency tasks. Furthermore, the projectresulted in establishing a national platformof relevant stakeholders as an advisorybody when carrying out the set targets forthe project BUILD UP Skills: Strengtheningenergy efficiency skills and certificationschemes for building workers (CROSKILLSII) ‐ Pillar II. Through implementation ofthis project, a certification scheme is to beestablished for the lifelong training ofworkers on energy efficiency tasks. Theproject’s duration is 3 years and ends inAugust 2017.

Presentations on the importance ofenergy efficiency in buildings held at theFaculty of Civil Engineering and theFaculty of Architecture in Zagreb wereuseful for students, enabling them torealise the importance of this field,especially for their profession, and in2011 they established the students’association SUPEUS (www.supeus.hr) forenergy efficiency promotion andconsultation. SUPEUS assembles studentsof various faculties in Zagreb (civilengineering, architecture, mechanicalengineering, electrical engineering,economy) and organises workshops forstudents and various competitions. At theinitiative of SUPEUS members, a teamfrom the University of Zagreb participatedin the SOLAR DECATHLON 2014international competition in Paris, wherethey built and presented the MEMBRAIN(www.membrain.com.hr).

Figure 22:Number ofinhabitants perqualified expert inCroatian counties,October 2014.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 21

4. Conclusions, future plans

Following the calculations for definingreference buildings and settingrequirements for new buildings as well asfor the reconstruction of existing buildingswithin a cost‐optimal framework, theimplementation of the new technicalregulation 2015 has become the standardto follow in practice. Several computerprogrammes have been developed in orderto facilitate the calculations based onEuropean standards. Some are commercialprogrammes, but the governmentenvisages the development of aprogramme that would be available to allusers free of charge. The nationalmethodology for the energy performanceof buildings (algorithms) that was adoptedfor this purpose is periodically corrected,in line with the experience acquired inimplementing cost‐optimal analyses.

For the purposes of promoting alternativesystems in the designs of new buildings, astudy on the applicability of alternativesystems was prepared. This also includedthe development of type solutions for theapplication of alternative systems, andshould be used when designing newbuildings with a surface area of50 ‐ 1,000 m2. A designer is required todevelop an alternative system study priorto developing the main design, anddeliver it to the investor. The studyprovides guidance to the designer on howto develop the project. Application of thestudy, i.e., type solutions for alternativesystems, is mandatory as of 1 January2015.

NZEBs are defined by primary energyconsumption in continental and littoralclimate zones. A public debate related toenergy standards of NZEBs was carriedout, and following this, a number ofinformation workshops for stakeholderswere held, in order to present them thisstandard and to enable the buildingindustry to adequately prepare formeeting the new requirements for the

construction of these buildings. Thedefinitions for NZEBs for all types ofbuildings are implemented in theTechnical regulation on rational use ofenergy and heat retention in buildings(OG 97/2014 and 130/2014).

As the building sector in Croatia accountsfor 43% of final energy consumption,special attention must be paid to moreintense implementation of nationalprogrammes of building renovation.Therefore, a continuation of promotionalactivities is planned. The establishment ofan internet platform for information onavailable energy efficiency mechanismsand financial and legal frameworks andinstruments is envisaged in order tobetter spread information to all relevantmarket participants. The establishmentand administration of a system formonitoring, measurement and verificationof energy savings is planned in order toappropriately monitor the implementationof measures for energy efficiencyimprovement.

Regulations to certify RES installers forsmaller and biomass fuelled boilers, solarthermal systems, shallow geothermalsystems and heat pumps were publishedin May 2015 (OG 56/15). For installers ofphotovoltaic systems, a regulation is inforce and implemented, pursuant towhich more than 80 installers obtainedcertification by October 2014.

A new Ordinance on the energycertification of buildings is underpreparation. According to the newordinance, the energy class will beexpressed as delivered (final) energyinstead of net energy needs at present.Reporting of delivered energy on EPCs willbe mandatory, and it will include energyto be delivered to the technical buildingsystem in order to meet needs forheating, cooling, ventilation, andpreparation of DHW, and for non‐residential buildings, lighting.Continuation of quality controls of issuedEPCs of buildings (including reports oncompleted regular inspections of heatingand cooling/AC systems in buildings) isplanned to reach the same minimumscope as in 2014, in order to carry outcontrols for every authorised person atleast once during their period ofauthorisation. Data on completedcontrols, i.e., annulled EPCs, will also bemade available to the public in order tocontribute to increasing their quality andinstilling confidence in the beneficiariesof the energy certification of buildings.

Figure 23:The self­sustaininghouse MEMBRAIN

concept at the SolarDecathlon

competition in Paris,2014.

I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 422

The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does notnecessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor theEuropean Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the informationcontained therein.

The content of this report is included in the book “2016 – Implementing the EnergyPerformance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Featuring Country Reports”,ISBN 978‐972‐8646‐32‐5, © ADENE 2015

More details on the IEE Programme can be found atec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent

This individual report and the full 2016 book are available atwww.epbd‐ca.eu and www.buildup.eu

23I M P L E M E N T A T I O N O F T H E E P B D I N C R O A T I A ­ S T A T U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4