BREEAM, frequently asked questions about this energy certificate

The path to better energy efficiency is what the construction sector must take. Not only in large promotions or innovative buildings but in all areas. Individually, installing energy-saving systems and very low consumption in our homes can provide us with great benefits in the medium and long term, both in terms of health and the electricity bill and other supplies. And to know exactly how to achieve a high-efficiency home, we have the BREEAM energy certificate, among others, which guarantees us that a home is efficient and tells us to what extent.

In the face of this emblem, the first thing we would ask is what it consists of and how it can help us. BREEAM is a certification label created for those constructions that require a validated evaluation under homogeneous guidelines. Currently, the BREEAM energy certificate is one of the most important, alongside Passivhaus and Leed. But, what is a sustainable building under the criteria of the regulatory entity? According to BREEAM, it is one that functions well today and, in addition, is energy efficient. For example, if it is a hospital, it must guarantee all the functions required for its operation while being efficient.

From the BREEAM certification label, they consider three areas in which energy efficiency must be displayed:

1. Economic sustainability. Buildings certified by BREEAM must be inexpensive to build and very cheap to maintain, with an appropriate life cycle.
2. Social sustainability. It is necessary for the building to achieve the functionality for which it was created.
3. Environmental sustainability. It must be a building that respects the environment and also the users who inhabit it.

For BREEAM, sustainability is a scale, not something to achieve. That is why they reward buildings that go beyond the regulations, as this energy efficiency certification label is not satisfied exclusively with reaching what the regulations indicate but achieving a higher degree. And it will award different scores depending on how efficient a building is.

In any case, the main economic question that the BREEAM energy label answers is that of price. From this emblem, they want to demystify the idea that betting on energy-saving buildings is expensive. So, in addition to opting for constructions that do not require high consumption, they seek to ensure that they are inexpensive to build.

Questions and answers about the BREEAM certification label

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One of the key questions regarding the BREEAM certification label is what benefits it provides. According to the entity, there are three:

1. It provides a guide on how to achieve a sustainable building. All manuals are free and indicate how sustainability is measured. Thanks to them, one can achieve energy efficiency indoors.
2. The second benefit is that it allows comparisons, as it measures any construction against other buildings, whether from competitors or not. It is possible to place a work on a sustainability scale and see how far it goes concerning the market.
3. It also allows certifying a building, which is an extremely important benefit. In the case that it needs to be demonstrated to a client, an investor, or a promoter that energy efficiency measures have been achieved in a building, the certification label serves as an independent guarantee.

Another of the most common questions about the application of BREEAM is to whom it is aimed. According to the certification label, its intention is to assist designers, promoters, end users, or builders who want to create a better, more sustainable, and more durable building.

On the other hand, what distinguishes BREEAM from other certificates are several factors. First of all, it is very international and was the first to appear on the market in 1990 in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, it adapts to the local needs of each country; for example, in Spain, it goes hand in hand with the Technical Building Code and the RITE. In addition, there is an advisor who acts as a bridge between the certifying body and the promoter. This advisor will be the one to assist the promoter and then deliver the information to the certifying entity.

Who evaluates a BREEAM building? The certification label itself is responsible for this, allowing technicians to present themselves for the examination and become certifiers or advisors. These are personnel with experience both in the sector and in customer relations. Being Spanish technicians, the entire process is based on local regulations and in Spanish.

Regarding the costs associated with certification, there are three. But the main ones are the expenses to achieve the certification, which are nothing more than the installations of energy efficiency so that the building can meet the challenges imposed by the BREEAM certification label. After that, the other two costs are those of the advisor and the tax fees.