In the contemporary landscape of construction and property management, the pursuit of optimal energy performance is no longer merely an aspiration but a fundamental requirement. Buildings, across their lifecycle, contribute significantly to global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Addressing this challenge effectively necessitates a robust regulatory framework and the expertise of seasoned professionals. In Romania, the technical regulation „Methodology for calculating the energy performance of buildings, indicative Mc 001-2022,” approved by Order no. 16/2023, serves as the cornerstone for achieving these ambitious goals. Navigating this intricate methodology, understanding its nuances, and translating its requirements into tangible benefits for building owners and developers demands specialized knowledge. This is precisely where AIA Proiect, as a leading energy auditor and expert in energy performance assessment, stands out, offering unparalleled services to ensure compliance, maximize efficiency, and secure long-term value.

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The Foundation: Understanding Energy Performance in Buildings

The Mc 001-2022 methodology applies comprehensively to a diverse range of building categories, encompassing both new constructions and existing structures destined for energy modernization. This includes residential buildings (single-family homes, multi-apartment blocks), offices, educational institutions (kindergartens, schools, universities), healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics), hospitality venues (hotels, restaurants), sports facilities, and commercial spaces (retail, wholesale). The regulation’s multifaceted objectives underscore its critical role in shaping a sustainable built environment. These objectives primarily involve the evaluation and certification of building energy performance, including the stringent criteria for Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB). Furthermore, it mandates and details the process of energy auditing for buildings undergoing energy modernization, establishes minimum energy performance requirements for both new and existing NZEB buildings, and defines a range of standard measures and solution packages aimed at enhancing the energy performance of existing buildings, complete with associated cost quantification. This comprehensive approach, guided by the principles outlined in Mc 001-2022, is essential for reducing overall energy consumption and minimizing environmental impact.

Central to this methodology is the concept of energy performance (PEC) itself. PEC is formally defined as the energy estimated by calculation (or actually consumed) under predetermined conditions of comfort and safety for heating, domestic hot water, cooling, ventilation, and lighting. This estimation takes into account a multitude of factors, including the technical characteristics of the building envelope and its various systems, external climatic conditions relevant for energy calculations, minimum internal comfort conditions, the energy sources utilized, and other influential parameters. Key indicators used to express a building’s energy performance include specific primary and final energy consumption, as well as equivalent CO2 emissions. For instance, the methodology emphasizes reducing specific primary and final energy consumption and minimizing CO2 emissions. AIA Proiect leverages this precise definition and its associated indicators to provide accurate and legally compliant assessments, ensuring that every energy performance certificate (EPC) they issue reflects a true and comprehensive picture of a building’s energy footprint.

The Pillars of Energy Efficiency: Building Envelope and Technical Systems

A significant portion of the Mc 001-2022 methodology is dedicated to the detailed calculation procedures for a building’s thermal envelope and its technical systems, recognizing these as the primary determinants of energy performance.

The Thermal Envelope: This critical component defines the perimeter elements that separate a building’s interior conditioned space from the exterior environment, or from unheated/unconditioned spaces. The methodology meticulously defines the building elements and their associated thermo-energetic parameters, along with minimum thermal and energy performance requirements. For example, minimum corrected thermal resistance (R’) values are stipulated for various opaque elements like external walls, roofs, and floors. For new NZEB residential buildings, external walls are recommended to have a corrected thermal resistance (R’) of at least 4.00 m²K/W. The methodology also includes detailed provisions for evaluating the thermal performance of glazed elements such as windows, doors, and curtain walls, acknowledging new aspects related to shading devices and solar protection. AIA Proiect’s expertise ensures that the thermal envelope is optimized, addressing not only the material properties but also the crucial impact of thermal bridges (areas with higher heat flow, like around windows or slab-wall junctions) which can significantly increase heat loss. Proper installation of exterior joinery close to the outer surface of walls and ensuring high air tightness are emphasized to minimize these losses and uncontrolled air infiltration.

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Technical Building Systems: The regulation provides exhaustive guidelines for evaluating energy consumption across various technical systems within a building.

  • Heating Systems: Calculation procedures include determining energy losses from emission and distribution, auxiliary energy consumption, and the efficiency of heat generation systems (e.g., boilers). Modernizing heating systems and ensuring proper thermal and hydraulic balancing of heating elements are key strategies for reducing energy bills.
  • Ventilation Systems: The methodology addresses both hybrid and mechanical ventilation, including calculations for auxiliary energy and air losses in ducts. For new NZEB residential buildings, mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery (minimum 75% nominal efficiency) are recommended, with a specific electric consumption range. For new NZEB non-residential buildings, these systems are mandatory. AIA Proiect specializes in designing and assessing such high-efficiency systems, which are vital for maintaining indoor air quality while minimizing energy waste.
  • Cooling Systems: Procedures for determining sensible and latent energy needs for cooling are outlined, along with efficiency factors (EER) for cooling equipment. The optimization of solar factors for glazed elements is also considered, as it directly influences cooling loads.
  • Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Systems: Detailed methods for calculating energy requirements for DHW preparation, distribution losses (including recoverable losses), and auxiliary energy consumption are provided. Recommendations include repairing leaks, insulating pipes and storage tanks, and installing low-consumption fixtures.
  • Lighting Systems: The methodology defines methods for calculating the Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator (LENI) for both residential and non-residential buildings, considering the coupling with natural light and the use of energy-efficient sources like LEDs and presence sensors.

Renewable Energy Sources (RES): A Cornerstone of High Energy Performance

A pivotal aspect of the Mc 001-2022 regulation, in line with European directives, is the strong emphasis on integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to achieve high energy performance. This is particularly evident in the requirements for Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) and buildings undergoing major renovation.

AIA Proiect - Energy Auditor

AIA Proiect – Energy Auditor

For new buildings with construction permits issued after December 31, 2020, they must achieve NZEB status. An NZEB building is characterized by a very high energy performance, with nearly zero or very low energy consumption. Crucially, at least 30% of this very low energy consumption must be covered by energy from RES, produced either on-site or nearby (within a 30 km radius of the building’s GPS coordinates). AIA Proiect possesses the deep technical understanding required to design and implement RES solutions that meet and exceed these targets for new constructions, ensuring that the building is not only compliant but also optimized for long-term sustainability.

For existing buildings undergoing „major renovation,” defined as works where costs exceed 25% of the building’s taxation value (excluding land value), their energy performance must be substantially improved to meet specific requirements. For these renovated structures, a minimum of 10% of the total primary energy consumed must originate from RES produced on-site or nearby, provided it is technically, economically, and environmentally feasible. This flexibility acknowledges the challenges inherent in retrofitting existing buildings while still pushing for significant environmental improvements. AIA Proiect, as an experienced energy auditor, excels in identifying and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of integrating RES into renovation projects, providing tailored recommendations that maximize both energy savings and return on investment.

Request an energy audit now: uncover losses, optimize consumption, and significantly cut costs! Call +40722494447 or email AIA Proiect – energy auditor, energy performance expert.

The methodology details the evaluation of energy produced by various RES systems:

  • Heat Pumps: Covered in detail, including calculation of Coefficient of Performance (COP) for heating and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for cooling, and their adaptation to operating conditions.
  • Solar Thermal Panels: The regulation outlines a monthly calculation method to assess the energy captured and delivered for space heating or domestic hot water, considering factors like collector surface, inclination, and solar radiation.
  • Photovoltaic (PV) Panels: The calculation considers factors such as panel efficiency, inverter efficiency, and solar radiation intensity.
  • Cogeneration Systems (CHP): Methods for evaluating the performance of micro and mini-cogeneration units integrated into buildings are provided, calculating simultaneous production of useful heat and electricity.
  • Wind Turbines: Calculation methods for small wind power systems are also included.

The ability of AIA Proiect to accurately model and simulate the integration of these diverse RES technologies allows clients to make informed decisions that not only comply with regulatory mandates but also contribute to significant reductions in operational costs and carbon footprint.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): Your Building’s Energy Passport

The Energy Performance Certificate (CPE) is a legally mandated technical document that provides a calculated assessment of a building’s energy performance under predefined comfort conditions. It is a cornerstone of the Mc 001-2022 methodology, serving as a transparent tool for property owners, buyers, and tenants.

An EPC, as prepared by a qualified energy auditor like those at AIA Proiect, must include a wealth of information:

  • Calculated Primary and Final Energy Consumption: This includes energy from renewable sources.
  • Equivalent CO2 Emissions: Quantifying the environmental impact.
  • Energy Performance Classes: Buildings are classified into one of eight energy performance classes, typically ranging from A+ (highest energy performance) to G (lowest). These classes are defined by specific primary energy consumption and CO2 emission thresholds, which vary by building category and climatic zone. For example, a single-family residential building with a total primary energy consumption of 129 kWh/m²annually for heating, cooling, domestic hot water, ventilation, and lighting would fall into energy performance class A.
  • Technical Appendices: These provide detailed technical data that underpins the energy performance assessment, ensuring transparency and reproducibility.
  • Recommendations for Improvement: For existing buildings, the EPC must include a list of recommended measures to reduce energy consumption and increase the share of RES. These recommendations must be technically and economically feasible, providing estimates for energy savings, payback periods, or cost-benefit ratios over the building’s lifespan.
  • Reference Building Concept: For buildings (excluding apartments), the actual building’s energy performance is compared to a „reference building” – a virtual building with the same geometric characteristics but with thermal and energy performance requirements compliant with NZEB standards or major renovation standards. This comparison highlights the potential for improvement.
  • Validity: An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, provided no major interventions (e.g., renovations affecting the building envelope or systems) occur.

The EPC must adhere to specific formatting requirements, including mandatory RGB color codes for energy performance and environmental classes, and a unique registration number for validity. Each page of the EPC, including technical appendices, must be signed and stamped by the energy auditor.

AIA Proiect understands that the energy performance certificate is more than just a piece of paper; it is a vital diagnostic tool and a roadmap for improvement. Their meticulous approach ensures that every EPC is not only compliant with Mc 001-2022 but also provides actionable insights to building owners, whether for sales, rentals, or comprehensive energy modernization projects. The firm’s auditors are proficient in all aspects of EPC generation, from initial data collection and detailed calculations to providing clear, cost-effective recommendations for enhancing energy performance.

The Energy Audit: A Pathway to Modernization and Savings

Beyond the EPC, the energy audit plays a crucial role, especially for existing buildings slated for energy modernization. The energy audit is a comprehensive process aimed at identifying the main thermal and energy characteristics of a building and its associated systems, ultimately establishing technically and economically viable solutions for energy renovation.

Request an energy audit now: uncover losses, optimize consumption, and significantly cut costs! Call +40722494447 or email AIA Proiect – energy auditor, energy performance expert.

The audit process, as detailed in Mc 001-2022, involves several distinct stages:

  1. Preliminary Investigation: This involves a thorough analysis of the building’s technical documentation (architectural plans, structural details, existing installations – heating, ventilation, AC, DHW, lighting) and a physical inspection of the building to ascertain its current condition, identify degradations (e.g., dampness, leaks, mold), and pinpoint areas of non-compliance with original design. When documentation is missing, a detailed survey is conducted.
  2. Performance Determination: Based on the investigation, the energy auditor calculates the current energy performance and annual energy consumption for heating, DHW, ventilation/AC, and lighting, reflecting the building’s actual characteristics.
  3. Solution Identification and Proposal: This is a key stage where the energy auditor identifies and proposes various energy renovation measures and packages of solutions. These interventions are categorized into two main types: those impacting the building envelope and those impacting the building’s technical systems.

◦ Envelope Interventions: These focus on reducing the building’s intrinsic heat demand. They include:

▪ Increasing Thermal Resistance: Adding insulation to exterior walls (e.g., minimum 15 cm basalt mineral wool or 12-15 cm extruded polystyrene for plinths), roofs (e.g., minimum 20 cm expanded polystyrene), and floors over unheated basements (e.g., minimum 10 cm expanded polystyrene). This is vital for reducing heat transfer.

▪ Replacing Exterior Joinery: Upgrading windows and doors with energy-efficient alternatives (e.g., triple glazing with low-e treatment, aluminum frames with thermal breaks) to significantly reduce heat loss and improve airtightness. Proper installation to minimize thermal bridges is crucial.

▪ Airtightness: Sealing gaps and cracks to minimize uncontrolled air infiltration, which can lead to substantial energy losses.

▪ Shading Devices: Installing external shading elements to reduce solar gain in summer, thereby lowering cooling loads.

◦ System Interventions: These target the efficiency of internal installations:

▪ Heating and DHW Systems: Modernizing boilers, installing thermostatic valves on radiators, ensuring hydraulic balancing, cleaning pipes, and introducing efficient heat production sources, including RES.

▪ Ventilation Systems: Implementing mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, replacing inefficient fans, and regulating airflow based on actual needs.

▪ Lighting Systems: Replacing light sources with LEDs, utilizing presence sensors, and maximizing natural light penetration.

◦ Concomitant Works: The audit also recommends „concomitant works” that, while not directly impacting energy performance calculations, are essential for the overall success and longevity of energy renovation, such as repairing roofs, drainage systems, and addressing structural issues.

  1. Economic Analysis: For each proposed solution or package of solutions, the energy auditor recalculates the expected energy consumption and determines the estimated energy savings. Crucially, a detailed economic analysis is performed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of these solutions. This analysis uses key economic indicators such as the global cost (sum of initial investment, annual operating costs, replacement costs, and disposal costs over a specific calculation period, typically 30 years for residential and 20 years for commercial buildings) and the payback period of the investment. The goal is to identify solutions that achieve an optimal cost level, meaning the lowest global cost over the calculated lifespan. For example, the methodology guides towards selecting renovation packages that lead to a lower global cost compared to the un-renovated state. This rigorous financial assessment is critical for investment decisions.
  2. Reporting: Finally, a comprehensive energy audit report is prepared, detailing the findings, proposed measures, technical and economic analyses, and the auditor’s conclusions and recommendations. This report is a key document for authorities for investment projects and for property owners in making informed decisions regarding energy modernization and potential financing.

The depth of analysis required for an energy audit demands an energy auditor with extensive technical and economic expertise. AIA Proiect is precisely that partner, capable of undertaking detailed investigations, performing complex calculations, and providing strategic advice that maximizes the client’s investment in energy performance improvements. Their reports are designed to be clear, actionable, and tailored to the specific needs of each building and client, promoting a proactive approach to energy efficiency.

The Interplay of Regulations and Practical Application

The Mc 001-2022 regulation is not merely a theoretical framework; it is a practical guide for implementing building energy performance improvements in Romania. It is underpinned by a vast array of European and national standards, ensuring consistency and adherence to best practices.

Request an energy audit now: uncover losses, optimize consumption, and significantly cut costs! Call +40722494447 or email AIA Proiect – energy auditor, energy performance expert.

The methodology specifies how to account for various energy vectors (thermal, electrical) and their primary energy conversion factors, which differ based on the energy source (e.g., natural gas, electricity from grid, RES). It also provides conversion factors for equivalent CO2 emissions, allowing for a comprehensive environmental assessment of a building’s energy performance.

The concept of a „road map” for energy renovation and an optional „energy renovation passport” are introduced for existing buildings undergoing major renovation. These tools provide a personalized renovation plan based on the energy audit, setting carbon emission reduction targets and planning phased improvements for long-term energy performance enhancement. This systematic approach, championed by AIA Proiect, helps property owners understand the journey towards a „decarbonized building stock,” where energy needs are drastically reduced and met by near-zero carbon sources.

Furthermore, the regulation considers the architectural conformation as a „passive response” to environmental demands, emphasizing factors like building geometry, surface-to-volume ratio, optimal cardinal orientation of rooms, and the use of natural light. This holistic view ensures that energy performance is integrated from the initial design concept, rather than being an afterthought. AIA Proiect‘s team includes experts who consider these architectural and passive design strategies from the very beginning, ensuring that buildings are inherently efficient before active systems are even considered.

Why Choose AIA Proiect for Your Energy Performance Needs?

In a regulatory environment as complex and detailed as Mc 001-2022, the role of a highly qualified (and authorized by MDLPA) energy auditor and energy performance tehnical expert cannot be overstated. AIA Proiect provides comprehensive services that span the entire lifecycle of a building’s energy performance assessment and improvement:

  • Unrivaled Expertise: AIA Proiect‘s team comprises certified energy auditors with extensive knowledge of Mc 001-2022 and its intricate calculations, from determining thermal resistances and evaluating system efficiencies to applying conversion factors for primary energy and CO2 emissions. They ensure compliance with all legal and technical requirements, from the initial „NZEB conformity report” for new buildings to the final energy performance certificate.
  • Accuracy and Precision: Leveraging advanced calculation methodologies and adhering to detailed standards, AIA Proiect guarantees precise evaluations of your building’s energy performance. This includes meticulous data collection during audits, accurate modeling of the building envelope and systems, and rigorous application of all formulas and parameters specified in the regulation.
  • Tailored Solutions: Whether for a new NZEB project or a major renovation of an existing building, AIA Proiect provides customized recommendations for improving energy performance. They identify the most technically and economically viable solutions, including optimal insulation, efficient systems, and integration of renewable energy sources, ensuring that proposed interventions are both effective and financially sound.
  • Economic Optimization: AIA Proiect specializes in conducting comprehensive economic analyses, including global cost calculations and payback period estimations. They help clients understand the financial implications of energy performance investments, guiding them towards solutions that offer the best long-term return and minimize operational costs.
  • Regulatory Compliance and Beyond: The firm ensures that all documentation, including energy performance certificates and energy audit reports, fully complies with Romanian legislation and European directives. Beyond mere compliance, AIA Proiect aims to help clients achieve superior energy performance, contributing to environmental protection and increased property value.
  • Holistic Approach: AIA Proiect considers the full spectrum of factors influencing energy performance, from architectural design principles (compactness, orientation, natural light) to the intricate details of building systems and the potential of renewable energy integration. They offer a holistic perspective that leads to truly sustainable and efficient buildings.
  • Support and Guidance: From the initial consultation to the final implementation of energy performance measures, AIA Proiect acts as a trusted advisor, informing clients about available financial incentives and funding opportunities. They empower building owners and administrators to make informed decisions and to implement ongoing energy management strategies to sustain high energy performance.

In conclusion, the journey toward enhanced building energy performance in Romania is a complex but rewarding one, governed by the detailed provisions of Mc 001-2022. By partnering with AIA Proiect, clients gain access to unparalleled expertise in energy auditing and the generation of precise energy performance certificates. AIA Proiect is committed to transforming buildings into energy-efficient, environmentally responsible, and economically viable assets, ensuring a sustainable future for the built environment.

Request an energy audit now: uncover losses, optimize consumption, and significantly cut costs! Call +40722494447 or email AIA Proiect – energy auditor, energy performance expert.