Make your office energy efficient, a step-by-step plan
Every office building in the Netherlands larger than 100m2 is required to have at least energy label C. Otherwise, you may no longer use it as an office. Does your building have energy label C? Then your energy bill is lower and you help reduce CO2 emissions.
Wat is energy label C for office buildings?
The energy labels indicate the use of energy. Labels A to C are more energy efficient than D to G. Energy label C means the use of energy with a primary fossil energy in an office building is no more than 225 kWh per m2 per year.
Check in the Decision tree Energy Label C (in Dutch) of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) if you must meet the Energy Label C obligation.
Does your office have to have an energy label C? Then you may consume a maximum of 225 kWh per m2 of primary fossil energy per year. With an energy label with the letter C or better, you meet this requirement.
Does your building not meet the requirements? You may no longer use it as an office.
Exceptions
An energy label C is not mandatory for some buildings. The obligation does not apply if:
- the usable area of the office functions is less than 50% of the total usable area of the building;
- the usable area of the office functions in the building is less than 100 m2;
- it concerns national monuments as referred to in the Heritage Act or in the provincial or municipal monument ordinance;
- the office building will be used for a maximum of 2 years;
- the office building has been disowned or purchased under the Expropriation Act;
- the office building does not use energy to regulate the indoor climate;
- the measures required to achieve energy label C have a payback period of more than 10 years.
The EP-Online database contains the energy labels and energy performance indicators of buildings. Check your energy label (in Dutch) to see if you need to take any measures.
To get the energy label C, you have to use less fossil fuel. With an energy performance advice (EPA, in Dutch) you know which measures to take to save energy in your office building. You can apply for an EPA from a certified EPA adviser (in Dutch) from the Central Register of Technology.
Offices to be energy-neutral by 2050
If you are going to take measures, see if it pays to immediately go for a higher energy label, such as B or A. This way you prepare your building for the future. It has been agreed in the Climate Agreement that offices will be energy neutral by 2050. Check out the renovation standard (in Dutch) on RVO.nl and get your property ready for the future.
Consider measures energy saving obligation and GAC
Does your company consume more than 50,000 kWh or 25,000 m3 of natural gas every year? Then you are obliged to take all energy-saving measures that you can earn back in 5 years. This is stated in the energy saving obligation. From 2026, office buildings with heating or air-conditioning systems with a capacity of more than 290 kW must have a building automation and control system (gebouwautomatiserings- en controlesysteem, GACS) This smart system will help you save energy and make your building more efficient From 2030, the obligation also applies to systems above 70 kW
Ask the adviser to also include the Recognised Energy Saving Measures List (Erkende Maatregelenlijst energiebesparing, EML, in Dutch) and the GACS obligation in their advice.
The government supports entrepreneurs to take energy-saving measures. There are various financial and tax arrangements for this, such as:
The Energy Investment Allowance (EIA) offers a tax benefit when you invest in energy-efficient techniques and sustainable energy.
You can save on your taxes through the Environmental Investment Allowance (MIA) or the Random depreciation of environmental investments scheme (Vamil) if you invest in environmentally friendly assets or techniques.
The Investment subsidy for sustainable energy (ISDE) contributes to the purchase of energy-saving devices such as solar water heaters and heat pumps.
There are other financial and fiscal arrangements for sustainable energy supplies. Check them in the energy subsidy guide for buildings (in Dutch).
Take the recommended measures to get your new label. Arrange energy-saving and energy-generating measures as much as possible. These contribute to a CO2-low office.
A certified energy advisor must prepare and register an energy label for you. The energy label is valid for a maximum of 10 years.