Wouldn’t using a programming language like Python be clearer than spreadsheets?
Spreadsheets are primarily used for demonstration and validation, as explained in another FAQ. Their key advantage is accessibility—anyone can scroll through and examine formulas, making the entire calculation process transparent and easy to follow step by step. Spreadsheets also provide immediate access to all intermediate results for each equation and calculation step. For practical applications, […]
What is difference between the EU mandate (M 480) that led to the set of EPB standards in 2017 and the previous mandate (M 343)?
The set of standards and accompanying technical reports on the energy performance of buildings (set of EPB standards) have been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association (Mandate M/480, 2010), to support the EPBD. The EPBD, the European Directive on the energy performance of buildings […]
Will the Annex A/Annex B approach provide feedback on the underlying hypotheses for the calculation methodology? What if the underlying EPB calculation methodology is not in line with the EPB standard(s)?
If at national level it is not possible to fill in the Annex A according to the rules it is a strong indication that the national procedure doesn’t follow the procedures included in the set of EPB standards. 2022-04-02
Are there plans to digitalize the set of EPB standards in any way?
Yes, the plan is to upgrade the set of EPB standards from being individually “software proof” to become individually and as a set “software ready”. How? By making all input and output data in each EPB (calculation) standard fully explicit, including all non-numeric choices and to mark these up and link them to a repository […]
Is it correct that an EPB standard can be adopted in a country with some of its content replaced by national procedures?
If a country adopts an EPB standard, it can make use of the specific degrees of freedom given in Annex A of that standard (template for national choices). These choices are introduced to accommodate national/regional differences in climate, building tradition, policy and user behaviour. This is what is known as the National Annex or National […]
What happens with Annex A and Annex B if a National Annex or National Datasheet is published?
Annex A and B are part of the standard and will remain part of the standard. In addition to this, a National Standards Body or a Member state can decide to publish a National Annex or National Datasheet. These are separate documents, based on the template in Annex A, with content that may or may […]
How do standards deal with innovation?
International standards in general are a valuable tool for facilitating cross-border trade and knowledge exchange, thus stimulating the implementation of novel technologies. Standards promote innovation, because they consolidate the latest knowledge into agreed assessment procedures and it is the policy of both ISO and CEN to periodically update their standards. The set of EPB standards […]
Are there specific guidelines about how to fill in a National Annex to an EPB standard?
For filling in a National Annex or National Data Sheet following the template given in Annex A of each EPB standard, you find guidance in the general introduction of the Annex A itself. Note that, for the same EPB standard, different National Annexes or National Data Sheets may be prepared, each for a different purpose. […]
Is it possible to have different National Annexes or National Data Sheets for the same EPB standard, depending on the application?
Yes, see FAQ “Are there specific guidelines about how to fill in a National Annex to an EPB standard?“ 2022-04-02
Do the EPB standards contain energy performance (EP) requirements?
As a general rule, CEN and ISO standards as such do not impose any regulation. Laws and regulations may refer to standards, because standards provide harmonized specifications (e.g. terminology, key characteristics) and harmonized methods for tests or calculations. The EPB standards contain methodologies to assess the EP, and specifications of EP characteristics, including EP indicators, […]