Energy Label for Buildings

In 2011, Chile established a voluntary comparative energy label for residential buildings, with categories ranging from A (highest efficiency) to E (lowest efficiency), with E corresponding to the minimum standard for building envelope. The objective of the label is to help consumers make an informed decision as well as to encourage the building industry to go beyond the minimum standard. The label takes into account the thermal transmittance of envelope surfaces (i.e. roofs, walls, floors and windows), the building direction, the efficiency of the heating and lighting equipment, and the use of renewable energy technologies. These elements are assessed and compared with a reference residential building that meets the minimum required under the General Ordinance for Town Planning and Construction. By 2016, a total of 32 000 residential buildings were labelled in Chile. The label is likely to be made mandatory depending upon the approval of a legal framework for energy efficiency