Home energy certifications are documents that evaluate and rate the level of energy efficiency of a home, indicating its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These certifications are based on a technical analysis of characteristics such as the thermal envelope of the building, heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting systems and other elements that affect the energy consumption of the home.

The objective of these documents is to provide objective and transparent information to homeowners and buyers about their energy efficiency, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding the energy efficiency of their home. They are usually represented on a scale of letters, similar to the energy label on household appliances, where the letter A represents a more efficient home in terms of energy consumption, and the letter G represents a less efficient home.

Energy certifications for homes are mandatory in many countries as part of the building energy efficiency regulations, and may be required when selling or renting a home. In addition to reporting efficiency, they also often include recommendations for improvement, which can help homeowners identify opportunities for energy savings and cost reductions.

Home energy certifications provide a series of data and information about the energy efficiency of a home. Some of the common data obtained through energy certifications are:

1. Energy rating: They assign an energy rating to the home on a letter scale, which generally ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). This rating provides a quick and easy indication of the home’s energy efficiency, allowing it to be compared with other homes.
2. Energy consumption: They may include information on the home’s estimated energy consumption in kWh/m² per year or in other units of measurement. This helps understand how much energy the home is estimated to consume for heating, cooling, lighting and other uses, which can have an impact on energy costs.
3. Greenhouse gas emissions: Home energy certifications can provide information on estimated greenhouse gas emissions, expressed in kgCO2/m² per year or other units. This allows us to have an idea of ​​the carbon footprint associated with the energy consumption of the home, which can be relevant to evaluate its environmental impact.
4. Description of technical characteristics: They usually include a detailed description of the technical characteristics of the home related to its energy efficiency, such as the thermal envelope (insulation of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, etc.), heating, cooling and ventilation systems, as well as details about lighting and other elements that influence energy consumption.
5. Improvement recommendations: Energy certifications often include improvement recommendations to increase the energy efficiency of the home. These recommendations can range from simple improvements, such as changing light bulbs to more efficient ones, to more complex improvements, such as installing additional insulation or upgrading heating and cooling systems.