Key Indicators & Decisions (KI&Ds) – Republic of Latvia – 2020

01.01

Definition of public buildings (according to article 9 b)

Buildings that are occupied and owned by public authorities, i.e.: owned by the State and in the possession of the authorities and where the State authorities are located

Transposed in Cabinet Regulation No. 383 of 9 July 2013 ‘Regulations regarding Energy certification of Buildings’ (Regulation No. 383) Annex 5 for Minimum Permissible Level of Energy Performance of Buildings for New Buildings

01.02

Definition of public buildings used by the public (according to article 13)

Buildings frequently visited by the public – public buildings

Public Structure – any building, where more than 50% of its total area concerns public spaces or spaces for ensuring public functions, or an engineering structure intended for public use (such as stadiums or bandstands)

Transposed in the Law on the Energy Performance of Buildings (LEPB) Article 13 first part point 3

The public building definition is determined in the Latvian Building Code LBN 208-15 ’Public structures’

01.03

Number of residential buildings

 363,991 (91.08x106 m²)

Information from the National Real Estate Cadastre Information System (1 January 2019) 

01.04

Number of non-residential buildings

1,006,847 (115.50 x106 m²)

Information from the National Real Estate Cadastre Information System (1 January 2019)

01.05

If possible, share of public buildings included in the number given in 01.04

 32,825 (27.29 x106 m²)

Information from the National Real Estate Cadastre Information System (1 January 2017)

There are no separate statistics for public buildings and commercial buildings.

01.06

If possible, share of commercial buildings included in the number given in 01.04

 32,825 (27.29 x106 m²) 

Information from the National Real Estate Cadastre Information System (1 January 2017)

There are no separate statistics for public buildings and commercial buildings.

01.07

Number of buildings constructed per year (estimate)

New residential buildings built (x103 m2 total area)

2018 – 455
2019 – 539.5

Central Statistical Bureau

01.08

If possible, share of residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)

Data is not available

01.09

If possible, share of non-residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)

01.10

Useful floor area of buildings constructed per year in million square meters (estimate)

2019 – 1,236 M m²

New buildings together, e.g., one-apartment houses, two- or more-apartment houses, dwellings of various social groups, hotels and similar buildings, office buildings, wholesale and retail buildings, traffic and communication buildings, industrial production buildings and warehouses, entertainment, educational or healthcare buildings, other non-residential buildings

02.01

Are building codes set as overall value, primary energy, environment (CO₂), reference building or other

02.02

Requirements for energy performance of residential buildings in current building code

Minimum permissible level of energy performance of buildings, energy performance assessment for heating of new buildings:

For multi-apartment buildings
≤ 60 kWh/m² per year

For one-apartment or two-apartment buildings
≤ 70 kWh/m² per year

Minimum energy performance requirements (building heat transfer coefficient and U values) (normative / maximal):

For residential buildings + hospitals + kindergartens + homes for elderly:

Roofs – 0.15 k / 0.20 k

Floors – 0.15 k / 0.20 k

Walls – 0.18 k / 0.23 k

Windows – 1.30 k / 1.80 k

Doors – 1.80 k / 2.30 k

Thermal bridges – 0.10 k / 0.15 k

Minimum permissible level of energy performance of buildings is set in Regulation No. 383 Annex 5 which provides a timeframe for requirements to achieve nearly zero-energy level as minimum energy performance level for all new buildings since 2021.

Minimum energy performance requirements for heat transfer coefficient and for U values are set in Cabinet Regulation No. 339 of 30 June 2015 ‘Regulations of Latvian Building Code LBN 002‐15 - Thermal requirements of the buildings envelopes’ (LBN 002‐15).

LBN 002-15 requirements for new buildings are the same as for renovations.

k – temperature factor

U values (normative / maximum)

02.03

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential commercial buildings in current building code

Minimum permissible level of energy performance of buildings, energy performance assessment for heating of new buildings:

For non-residential buildings
≤ 90 kWh/m² per year

Minimum energy performance requirements (building heat transfer coefficient and U values) (normative / maximum):

For non-residential buildings - hospitals - kindergartens - homes for elderly:

Roofs – 0.20 k / 0.25 k

Floors – 0.20 k / 0.25 k

Walls – 0.20 k / 0.25 k

Windows – 1.40 k / 1.80 k

Doors – 2.00 k / 2.50 k

Thermal bridges – 0.15 k / 0.20 k

For industrial buildings:

Roofs – 0.25 k / 0.35 k

Floors – 0.30 k / 0.40 k

Walls – 0.25 k / 0.30 k

Windows – 1.60 k / 1.80 k

Doors – 2.20 k / 2.70 k

Thermal bridges – 0.30 k / 0.35 k

Minimum permissible level of energy performance of buildings is set in Regulation No. 383 Annex 5 which provides a timeframe for requirements to achieve nearly zero-energy level as minimum energy performance level for all new buildings since 2021.

Minimum energy performance requirements for heat transfer coefficient and for U values are set in Cabinet Regulation No. 339 of 30 June 2015 ‘Regulations of Latvian Building Code LBN 002‐15 - Thermal requirements of the buildings envelopes’ (LBN 002‐15).

LBN 002-15 requirements for new buildings are the same as for renovations.

k – temperature factor

U values (normative / maximum)

02.04

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential public buildings in current building code

02.05

Is the performance level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for new buildings defined in national legislation?

Yes

(Regulations No.383, point 17., requirements for NZEB)
17. A building shall be classified as a nearly-zero energy building, if it meets all of the following requirements:

17.1. building energy performance indicator corresponds to Class A by concurrently ensuring conformity of indoor climatic conditions with the requirements of the laws and regulations in the field of construction, hygiene and labour protection;

17.2. the total primary energy consumption for heating, hot water supply, mechanical ventilation, cooling, lighting accounts for no more than 95 kWh per square meter per year;

17.3. high-efficiency systems are used in the building, which:

17.3.1 ensure recovery of no less than 75% of the ventilation heat loss during the heating season;

17.3.2. ensure at least partial use of renewable energy;

17.4. there is no fossil fuel heating equipment installed in the building.

02.06

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for residential buildings (level for building code)

Performance class for heating
≤ 40 kWh/m² per year

(For residential buildings, building energy performance class for heating ≤ 40 kWh/m² per year, based on Class A.)

02.07

Year / date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for residential buildings (as indicated in 02.04)

2021

From 1 January 2021 and hereinafter

02.08

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for all non-residential buildings (level for building code)

Performance class for heating
≤ 45 kWh/m² per year

(For non-residential buildings, building energy performance class for heating ≤ 45 kWh/m² per year, based on Class A.)

02.09

Year / date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for non-residential buildings (as indicated in 02.06)

2019/2021

From 1 January 2019 and hereinafter for buildings which are owned by the State and in the possession of the authorities and where the State authorities are located

From 1 January 2021 and hereinafter for all buildings

02.10

Are nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) defined using a carbon or environment indicator?

No

However, this information should be expressed and there is need for them to be included in EPCs.

02.11

Is renewable energy a part of the overall or an additional requirement?

Partly

For NZEB at least partially the use of renewable energy is ensured

02.12

If renewable energy is an additional requirement to NZEB, please indicate level

See 02.11

See 02.11

03.01

Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings set in national legislation?

Yes

(Regulations No.383, point 17., requirements for NZEB)

17. A building shall be classified as a nearly-zero energy building, if it meets all of the following requirements:

17.1. building energy performance indicator corresponds to Class A by concurrently ensuring conformity of indoor climatic conditions with the requirements of the laws and regulations in the field of construction, hygiene and labour protection;

17.2. the total primary energy consumption for heating, hot water supply, mechanical ventilation, cooling, lighting accounts for no more than 95 kWh per square meter per year;

17.3. high-efficiency systems are used in the building, which:

17.3.1 ensure recovery of no less than 75% of the ventilation heat loss during the heating season;

17.3.2. ensure at least partial use of renewable energy;

17.4. there is no fossil fuel heating equipment installed in the building.

03.02

Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings similar to the level for new buildings?

Yes, it is the same

03.03

Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing residential buildings (if different from new buildings)

It is the same as for new buildings

03.04

Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing non-residential buildings (if different from new buildings)

-

03.05

Overall minimum requirements in case of major-renovation

Requirements for U values are the same as for new buildings (see 2.1. and 2.2.)

03.06

Minimum requirements for individual building parts in case of renovation

15.² Minimum permissible level of energy performance of buildings for buildings to be reconstructed or renovated:

15.² 1. for multi-apartment residential house – energy performance indicator for heating does not exceed 90 kWh per square meter per year;

15.² 2. for one-apartment and two-apartment residential buildings of different types – energy performance indicator for heating does not exceed 100 kWh per square meter per year;

15.² 3. for non-residential buildings – energy performance indicator for heating does not exceed 110 kWh per square meter per year.

Requirements for major renovation are set in Regulation No.383 point 15.².

03.07

National targets for renovation in connection to Long Term Renovation Strategy (number or percentage of buildings)

03.08

National targets for renovation in connection to Long Term Renovation Strategy (expected reductions and relevant years)

04.01

Number of energy performance certificates per year (for instance average or values for of 3-5 years)

3,561

Average of the last 3 years (2017 to 2019)

04.02

Number of EPCs since start of scheme

~ 14,000

04.03

Number of EPCs for different building types

04.04

Number of assessors

In total 93 experts with the following competences:

To issue an EPC – 93 experts

To issue a temporary EPC – 93 experts

To issue inspections – 8 experts

Information based on register of independent experts.

04.05

Basic education requirements for assessors

Education requirements for experts to issue EPCs

An acquired vocational or academic higher education of the first or second level, provided that the educational programme provides knowledge on the following:

- heat engineering of building envelopes;

- technical building systems (heating, cooling, ventilation, air-conditioning, water supply, lighting);

- building climatology and the indoor climate;

- energy performance assessment and calculation methodology.

Education requirements for experts to issue inspections:

An acquired vocational or academic higher education of the first or second level, provided the study programme provides knowledge of the following:

- heating installations and systems;

- air-conditioning equipment and systems;

-cooling units and systems;

- measurements and control of the equipment.

Requirements for building specialists:

A construction specialist who has a valid certificate in the field of designing building constructions or in the field of designing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, or who has an architect's practice certificate and who has passed the competence test in accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Regulation No.531, is entitled to determine the planned energy performance of a building or building unit to be designed, reconstructed, or renovated, and is entitled to issue a temporary energy performance certificate of the building.

A construction specialist who has a valid certificate in the field of managing the construction works on heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems or in the field of supervising the construction works on heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems and who has passed the competence test in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Regulation No.531 is entitled to perform the inspection of heating systems and air-conditioning systems.

Requirements for independent experts are set in Cabinet Regulation No. 531 of 21 August 2018 ‘Regulations Regarding Independent Experts of Energy Performance of Buildings’ (Regulation No. 531).

04.06

Additional training demands for assessors

Requirements for experts to issue EPCs:

- at least two years of practical work experience in assessing the energy performance of buildings, by working under the supervision of an independent expert with a certified competence in assessing the energy performance of an existing building or its unit and authorised to issuing EPCs, as well as a certified competence in assessing the planned energy performance of new, to be designed, buildings, buildings or their units to be reconstructed or renovated, and authorised to issuing a temporary EPC;

- successful passing of the competence test in accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Regulation No.531.

Requirements for experts to perform inspections:

- at least six months of practical work experience in the field of inspecting heating and air-conditioning systems, by working under the supervision of an independent expert with a certified competence in inspecting heating and air-conditioning systems, and issuing inspection reports;

- successful passing of the competence test in accordance with Paragraph 10 of the Regulation No.531.

Requirements for independent experts are set in Regulation No. 382.

04.07

Quality assurance system

- An authority examining the competence of independent experts shall ensure that, within a period of five years, every independent expert is checked, through an assessment of their professional activity and the EPCs, temporary EPCs and heating and air-conditioning inspection reports issued , checking the correctness of other documents, as well as the objectivity and veracity of the provided assessment.

- The State Construction Control Bureau shall randomly select documents drawn up by independent experts to be inspected, and will assign the relevant authority to examine the competence to carry out document inspection.

- If the State Construction Control Bureau or the Ministry of Economics has received an application or other information on a violation of a professional activity of an independent expert whose certificate has been issued by the authority examining the competence the operations of which have been terminated, the State Construction Control Bureau shall send the documents referred to in Paragraph 22 of the Regulation No.531 for inspection to another authority examining the competence.

- After receipt of the information referred to in Paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Regulation No.531, and if it receives an application or other information on a violation of a professional activity of an independent expert, the authority examining the competence shall assess the operations of this independent expert.

Requirements for Quality assurance system are set in Regulation No. 382.

04.08

National database for EPCs

Yes

Limited access for documents, public access for publicly available information (class, energy performance indicators => EPCs first page).

https://bis.gov.lv/bisp/lv/epc_documents

04.09

Link to national information on EPCs / Database

05.01

Is there a national definition of smart buildings?

No

05.02

Are there current support systems for smart buildings?

No

05.03

Are there currently specific requirements for technical building systems (for instance in building codes)?

05.04

Are there current requirements for automatics (for instance in building codes)?

05.05

Chosen option A or B for heating systems (inspection or other measures)

05.06

Number of heating inspections; reports per year (if option A)

05.07

Chosen option A or B for cooling systems (inspection or other measures)

05.08

Number of air-conditioning / cooling system inspections; reports per year (if option A)

05.09

Is there a national database for heating inspections?

Yes

Limited access

https://bis.gov.lv/bisp/lv/epc_documents

05.10

Is there a national database for cooling / air-conditioning inspections?

Yes

Limited access

https://bis.gov.lv/bisp/lv/epc_documents

05.11

Are inspection databases combined with EPC databases for registration of EPCs and inspection reports?

Yes

In the same register with possibility to link inspections to EPCs.

05.12

Link to national information on Inspection / Database