Question 1

What is an EPC (Czech PENB)?

Accepted Answer

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — in Czech PENB — is a legally required document that rates the standardised energy use of a building for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and lighting. The value is given in kWh/(m²·year) and the building is placed in classes A–G.

Question 2

What is the energy label?

Accepted Answer

The energy label is the graphical one-page part of the EPC you see in property listings. On its own it is not a valid legal document — only the full EPC issued by a certified energy specialist has legal force.

Question 3

What is the difference between an EPC and an energy audit?

Accepted Answer

An EPC is a standardised assessment required when selling, renting or commissioning a building. An energy audit is a deeper analysis for large energy consumers with recommended saving measures, typically used by companies and large buildings.

Question 4

What do classes A–G mean?

Accepted Answer

A – extremely efficient, B – very efficient, C – efficient (standard requirement for new NZEB buildings), D – less efficient, E – uneconomical, F – very uneconomical, G – extremely uneconomical. New buildings must reach at least class C.

Question 5

What is the energy reference area?

Accepted Answer

The external floor area of all heated (tempered) spaces of the building, summed across all floors and measured from the outside of the envelope. All specific energy use values (kWh/m²·year) are derived from this area.

Question 6

What is the building envelope?

Accepted Answer

All constructions on the boundary between the heated interior and the outside — external walls, roof, ground floor, windows and doors. Envelope quality (insulation, thermal bridges) is the decisive factor for the final energy class.

Question 7

When is an EPC mandatory?

Accepted Answer

At commissioning of a new building, for major changes to an existing building (renovation of more than 25 % of the envelope), when selling or renting a building or a self-contained part, and for public-authority buildings over 250 m². Required by Act No. 406/2000 Coll. and Decree 264/2020 Coll.

Question 8

What are the penalties for a missing EPC?

Accepted Answer

Up to CZK 100,000 for a private individual and up to CZK 200,000 for a business or legal entity. Property listings without the energy class also violate the law and can be sanctioned separately.

Question 9

Must the energy class appear in property listings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sale and rental listings must include the energy performance class (e.g. “class B”). Public-authority buildings over 500 m² must also display the label visibly on site.

Question 10

Is an EPC needed for divorce or marital property settlement?

Accepted Answer

If the property is transferred to one spouse with no sale or rental involved, an EPC is not required. The obligation arises once the property is later sold or rented.

Question 11

Do I need an EPC when receiving a building as a gift or inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Not for the transfer itself. The obligation only arises if you decide to sell or rent the property later.

Question 12

When is an EPC not required?

Accepted Answer

Buildings under 50 m² of energy reference area, recreational buildings used up to 4 months per year, listed heritage buildings (where requirements would unacceptably affect their character), religious buildings, temporary buildings up to 2 years and industrial facilities with minimal energy use. There is also an exemption when transferring a family house older than 50 years within the family.

Question 13

Do I need an EPC for a holiday cottage?

Accepted Answer

No, if it is a verified recreational building used only part of the year with estimated energy use under 25 % of full year-round use. Year-round cottages do need an EPC.

Question 14

How long is an EPC valid?

Accepted Answer

10 years from issuance, or until a major change to the building (renovation of more than 25 % of the envelope) that affects its energy performance.

Question 15

When is it worth getting a new EPC before the validity expires?

Accepted Answer

If you have added insulation, replaced windows, installed a heat pump, photovoltaics or heat-recovery ventilation, updating the EPC often makes sense — the building can move up one or more classes, which improves listings and resale value.

Question 16

Who can issue an EPC?

Accepted Answer

Only an energy specialist licensed by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade under § 10 of Act 406/2000 Coll. The list of specialists is public in the ENEX database. Our certificates are issued by a specialist registered with the Ministry.

Question 17

Why do EPC values differ from my actual consumption?

Accepted Answer

An EPC uses standardised operation (typical temperature, occupants, hours of use) so that buildings can be compared on equal terms. Your real consumption depends on your habits, weather and the quality of the heating system.

Question 18

Do you guarantee a specific energy class?

Accepted Answer

The final class cannot be promised in advance — it must reflect the real state of the building under Decree 264/2020 Coll. We are happy to estimate the expected class from your inquiry and suggest measures that may improve it.

Question 19

What if I lose the EPC?

Accepted Answer

A copy can be requested from the issuer — every EPC is recorded in the central ENEX database maintained by the Ministry and the issuer must archive it. Issuing a duplicate is fast and much cheaper than a brand-new certificate.

Question 20

What documents do you need to issue an EPC?

Accepted Answer

Ideally as-built design documentation (floor plans, sections, technical report) plus information about insulation, windows, heat source and hot water preparation. If you do not have the documentation, we will arrange a site visit and capture the data on site.

Question 21

What if I do not have the project documentation?

Accepted Answer

No problem. We can visit the property, survey it and gather all the data needed. On request we can also prepare a simple as-built survey.

Question 22

Can the EPC be done remotely?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With sufficient documentation and photos we can handle everything online and send you the digitally signed PDF plus a printed copy by mail.

Question 23

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Typically 5–10 working days from receiving complete inputs. Express delivery within 48 hours is available for an extra fee.

Question 24

What drives the price?

Accepted Answer

Price depends on building type and size (family house, apartment in a block, apartment building, non-residential), how complete the documentation is and whether a site visit is needed. Use the inquiry form for a free quote.

Question 25

Is an EPC issued for a single apartment?

Accepted Answer

No. An EPC is always issued for the whole apartment building, not for an individual flat. Apartment buildings above 1,500 m² of energy reference area are required to have one. If you are selling a flat and the HOA does not have an EPC, in some legacy cases you can use the last three years of energy bills as a fallback.

Question 26

Do I need an EPC for commissioning a new building?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The EPC is a mandatory part of commissioning documentation and a new building must meet the Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) standard. Without it the building authority will not approve the commissioning.

Question 27

What is NZEB (Nearly Zero-Energy Building)?

Accepted Answer

Since 2020 all new buildings must meet the NZEB standard — very low energy demand covered largely by renewable sources (typically photovoltaics, heat pumps, heat recovery). In the EPC this corresponds to class C or better and meeting the reference indicators.

Question 28

Is an EPC needed for the “Nová zelená úsporám” subsidy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Czech NZÚ programme requires an energy assessment (EPC or expert report) demonstrating savings before and after the measures. Without it the subsidy cannot be paid out.

Question 29

Do I need an EPC for a mortgage or green mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Standard mortgages do not strictly require an EPC, but banks increasingly take it into account. For so-called green (ESG) mortgages with discounted rates an EPC in class A or B is typically required — check the conditions of your bank.

Question 30

Can the label be improved by retrofits (insulation, PV, heat pump)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Envelope insulation, new windows, a heat pump, heat-recovery ventilation or photovoltaics can move a building up one or more classes. We can advise which combination of measures works best for your property.

Question 31

Where are EPCs registered?

Accepted Answer

Every issued EPC is registered in the central ENEX database maintained by the Ministry. The registration number is on the first page of the certificate and can be used to verify its validity and authenticity.

EPC / PENB – Frequently Asked Questions

Basics: what an EPC is

Obligations and penalties

Validity, quality and who can issue it

Process, documentation and price

Special situations

Did not find the answer?