Marknadsmöjligheter som skapas genom en lag om energideklaration av byggnader

Background The 2002 EU directive on the energy performance of buildings stipulates that buildings must be energy certified. In order to implement the directive in Sweden it is proposed that a law on the energy certification of buildings be introduced on 1 January 2006. The law shall apply to all buildings where energy is used to condition the indoor climate. However, there are a number of exceptions, e.g. industrial sites. When buildings are constructed, sold or rented out, an energy performance certificate shall be made available. In Sweden the certificate will be valid for ten years. Energy certification shall be carried out by independent energy experts. It is likely that the ÅF Group will acquire authorisation to perform such certification and therefore it is of interest to the company to obtain a better understanding of this new market. Objective The overall objective of this thesis has been to identify the market potential that will be created by the proposed law on the energy certification of buildings. This objective has been divided into three part-objectives: to make the market manageable through market segmentation, to find out how property companies view and their interest in energy certification services, and to identify priority market segments for the ÅF Group. Method Since the total market for the energy certification of buildings will be large and non-homogonous market segmentation has been employed as a tool to make it more manageable. We have chosen to make a semi-structured interview study of property owners in order to obtain an indication of the attitude of the market towards the energy certification of buildings. Furthermore, comparisons have been made with the Danish energy certification system and with the current laws applying to existing buildings in Sweden. ÅF Group activities in the energy field have been studied through interviews with company personnel and by observing energy inspections of buildings carried out by the ÅF Group. Conclusions Companies may well find in the future that it is difficult to sell energy efficiency services for buildings unless they can offer energy certification as well. Important factors when selecting an expert to carry out an energy certification are trust in the person performing the energy certification, the competence of that person and his/her local knowledge. The property owners interviewed have indicated that they will employ companies they already have experience of, on condition that these companies are authorised to issue energy certificates. It is therefore probable that many of the ÅF Group’s current clients will request such services from them. It is our opinion that the ÅF Group should give priority to all segments in the special building category. The buildings in this category are often complex ones and lie within the competence range and experience of the ÅF Group. The segment comprising commercial buildings belonging to property companies that own a number of buildings should also be a priority segment since the installation systems in commercial buildings are usually complex. The potential sales volume is important since each individual sales effort is costly. Energy certification services for buildings is a new field and therefore there is the opportunity of being an early player in this new market, which can result in a number of positive gains