Written by DABBEL | Aug 6, 2025 12:53:55 PM
The revised EU Building Directive (EPBD) is in force and reshapes the non-residential building sector. By May 2026 at the latest, Germany must introduce an efficiency class system for non-residential buildings. What initially appears to be just another regulatory step reveals itself, upon closer inspection, as a fundamental intervention in the real estate sector. This is not merely about new data formats or increased transparency. It is about the fate of buildings that fail to become energy efficient in time.
The objective of the EPBD is unmistakable: The worst-performing buildings in the existing stock must be renovated as soon as possible to achieve measurable reductions in CO₂ emissions. By 2030, at least 16 percent of these buildings must show significant improvement. By 2033, that number increases to 26 percent. Alongside this, a Europe-wide efficiency class system will be introduced to provide clear orientation for investors, owners, and users. This will create a new framework for building valuation where energy efficiency becomes a key performance indicator.
The new classification ranges from A to G, with an optional extension to A+. Only buildings in Class A will qualify as zero-emission buildings, meaning they produce no operational CO₂ emissions. Classes B through F will be evenly distributed across the remaining building stock. Class G is intentionally reserved for the worst-performing buildings in terms of energy efficiency, based on the national building stock at the time of implementation.
Once the classification system takes effect, by May 2026 at the latest, every non-residential building will be assigned a class within this framework. This rating will become the new benchmark in the market. Buildings with poor ratings will come under pressure. The lower the class, the higher the likelihood of regulatory restrictions, loss of asset value, and reduced rental potential.
The real threat does not lie in the regulation itself. It lies in the inertia of the market. Those who delay action face falling rental income, longer vacancies, and declining property values. The European Commission refers to these cases as stranded assets. These are buildings that lose their value because they are no longer fit for a low-carbon future.
The logical response seems obvious. Renovate, insulate, modernize. However, not every solution has to start with the physical shell of the building. In many cases, the real leverage lies within the system itself, especially in how technical systems are controlled. What is often called building automation today is in reality little more than passive monitoring. Time schedules are set manually, sensor data is ignored, and system reactions are slow or nonexistent.
Modern building automation takes a different approach. It anticipates. It learns. It adapts in real time. This is exactly what DABBEL provides with its AI-based control system. The software continuously analyzes all relevant factors such as weather conditions, occupancy, and user behavior, and optimizes the operation of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems accordingly. All of this works seamlessly through the existing Building Management System. There is no need for construction work or additional hardware.
For operators, this means more efficient operations, lower energy loss, reduced CO₂ emissions, and greater transparency into the actual performance of the building. This helps fulfill key EPBD requirements while giving building owners more flexibility before political and financial pressure intensifies.
Those who truly understand the EPBD see more than an obligation to renovate. They recognize an opportunity to take meaningful action through digital solutions. Automated control systems do not replace physical renovations. But they are often the fastest, most scalable, and most cost-effective first step.
Taking action now means gaining valuable time, reducing future risk, and actively protecting the value of the property. A concise overview of all relevant market forces and regulatory developments is available in our free one-pager. Download it today and get the clarity you need.