Friday, 22 August 2025
A recent internal survey by Savills covering numerous office buildings in Prague findings reveal that, on average, only 14% of properties hold Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rated A or B. Most buildings fall into class C or lower, or lack EPC data entirely. Older buildings, which are less likely to share their energy credentials, are frequently missing documentation and are the ones most in need of modernization to meet future legislative standards.
Jan Jurčíček, Head of Building & Project Consultancy at Savills, emphasized the limits of relying solely on EPCs. “The situation is further complicated by the fact that energy performance certificates (EPCs) often have limited informative value. For older buildings, the EPCs are either overestimated—due to outdated methodology—or underestimated if post-certificate improvements haven’t been reflected,” he said. He noted that EPCs are based on model conditions—such as set indoor temperatures and standard operating hours—that often do not match real-world usage. “Actual energy consumption of office buildings can exceed EPC figures by tens of percent,” Jurčíček added.
EPCs are often treated as guarantees of sustainability, a practice Savills warns against. “Energy Performance Certificates are often mistakenly considered a guarantee of sustainability or a low-carbon footprint. In reality, they only assess the building’s energy performance against legislative requirements, and do not always reflect the overall carbon footprint or operational efficiency,” stated Barbora Jansová, ESG Consultant & Project Manager at Savills. She highlighted that EPC standards vary across versions and jurisdictions, making comparison difficult. Nonetheless, EPCs remain relevant from a regulatory standpoint. “For financing institutions, an EPC is certainly a valuable and measurable input within their ESG strategy, but it is by no means the only factor,” Jansová said.
In parallel, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) introduces mandatory requirements that signal a shift from voluntary measures to binding regulations. According to EU sources, it must be transposed into national laws by 29 May 2026, and requires member states to renovate the worst-performing 16% of non-residential buildings by 2030, and 26% by 2033. New constructions from 2030 must be zero-emission buildings. Additionally, the directive introduces digitalized EPCs and Building Renovation Passports to guide staged energy upgrades. The EPBD’s intent is to decarbonize the EU’s building stock by 2050, reducing energy consumption while at the same time promoting transparency and financial support structures for sustainable renovation efforts.
Savills warns that outdated EPCs are becoming increasingly insufficient tools. With legislation approaching, property owners must go beyond historic certificates. They should consider carbon footprint analyses, CRREM risk assessments, or EU Taxonomy alignment to manage long-term environmental risks and maintain asset value.
