Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on the energy performance of buildings was published on May 8, 2024, in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The EPBD IV Directive, known as the "Green Homes" Directive, aims to progressively reduce CO₂ emissions from the European building stock and to achieve full decarbonization by 2050 through the renovation of the European building heritage and the improvement of energy efficiency.

What are the main points of the “Green Homes” Directive? 

1. Decarbonization objectives: Strategy to 2050 with intermediate goals for primary energy consumption by 2030 and 2035.
2. Requirements for new constructions: New zero-emission buildings starting from 2028 for the public sector and from 2030 for private sector.
3. Renewable energy sources: Incentives for solar and other renewable sources, reduction of fossil fuel-based systems, and connection with electric mobility.
4. Renovation passport: A tool for planning energy efficiency improvement interventions.
5. One-stop shops: Establishment of offices to facilitate access to information and services.
6. Mortgages and financing: Promotion of mortgage loans and financial instruments to support renovations.
7. Energy classes: New criteria for energy classes and energy performance certificates.

The directive aims to improve quality of life, reduce energy bills, and address energy poverty, but it has raised concerns about the costs of building renovations. In Italy, the building stock is largely outdated, with many buildings constructed before energy efficiency laws, making the decarbonization challenge particularly complex.

The intermediate objectives of the EPBD IV Directive for 2030 and 2035 include: 

• 2030: Significant reduction in the average primary energy consumption of buildings, with a particular focus on energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable sources.

• 2035: Further reduction in energy consumption, with the goal of getting closer to a zero-emission building stock.

These intermediate goals are designed to ensure steady progress toward full decarbonization by 2050.

Building Automation can play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the EPBD IV Directive by enabling the following points:

1. Optimization of energy consumption: Automation systems allow for more efficient energy management, reducing waste and optimizing resource use.

2. Monitoring and control: Building Automation allows continuous monitoring of building energy performance, enabling timely interventions to improve efficiency.

3. Integration of renewable sources: These systems facilitate the integration and management of renewable energy sources, such as solar, improving the energy self-sufficiency of buildings.

4. Comfort and quality of life: Building automation can improve occupant comfort by automatically regulating temperature, lighting, and air quality based on environmental conditions and user needs.

5. Reduction of emissions: Thanks to optimized energy management, building automation significantly contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions, bringing buildings closer to the zero-emission goal.

These systems not only help achieve sustainability goals but can also increase the value of buildings and reduce long-term operational costs.

At Smartdhome, we have been studying the improvement of building efficiency and environmental quality for years, the MyVirtuoso Home system, with over 10 years of experience and thousands of installations, represents the most sophisticated solution on the market, ensuring full compliance with the UNI EN ISO 52120-1 standard related to Smart Building Automation Systems.