Just as you check the energy label when buying a fridge or washing machine (to see if it's A+++ or G), houses now get their own "label" too. This is the famous EPC (Energy Performance Certificate).
Let's see when it is mandatory, how it is issued, and - most importantly - which HVAC upgrades can dramatically boost your property's value.
The law is clear. You cannot carry out almost any real estate transaction without it. The EPC is a mandatory companion document for every rental, sale, or property transfer.
The EPC protocol number must be listed on the electronic lease filed with the tax authority (AADE/Taxisnet). Even in rental listings (e.g. Spitogatos), the energy class must be displayed. Without a valid EPC, the lease contract cannot be legally submitted.
The notary cannot proceed with the transfer contract without a valid EPC. If you're buying a home, always ask to see the certificate before signing - it reveals how much you'll pay each year for heating and cooling.
To receive a subsidy, you need an EPC at the start (to prove the house is energy-inefficient) and a new EPC at the end (to prove you hit the energy target). Without both EPCs, the subsidy is cancelled.
The EPC is valid for 10 years, unless you make a major renovation in the meantime (e.g. new heating system, insulation, windows). After a major renovation you must issue a new EPC. If you upgraded your home, the new EPC will reflect a higher energy class.
The EPC is issued exclusively by certified Energy Inspectors (engineers registered in the Ministry's official registry). The inspector visits your home, measures the walls, checks the windows, records the heating system and the method of domestic hot water production.
There is no fixed government price - the fee is freely negotiable. For a typical apartment of 80-100 m² , the cost ranges between €50 and €150 , depending on the area, building complexity and square footage. For detached houses or multi-storey buildings, it can exceed €200.
They measure insulation thicknesses, glazing type (single, double, triple), the boiler or heat pump, air conditioners, solar water heater, lighting and automation systems. The data is then entered into the Ministry's software, which calculates the annual energy consumption.
The software classifies your home into one of 9 classes (A+, A, B+, B, C, D, E, F, G). Classes F & G: the "sieves" - old homes with no insulation and single glazing. Classes A & A+: the "elite" - super-insulated buildings with photovoltaics and smart HVAC systems.
Secret: The EPC grade is not based on your electricity bills! It is based on theoretical, standard usage. If you're away all day and spend €10 on electricity per month, the house doesn't get an "A+" rating. If the walls are uninsulated, it will be rated "G" regardless of what you pay. The EPC evaluates the building, not your behaviour.
If your home scored "G" and you want to upgrade to "C" or "B" (whether to increase its value or to qualify for the "Exoikonomo" programme), mechanical upgrades give the most points with the least disruption. You don't always need to knock down walls!
Replacing the old oil boiler with a high-COP heat pump creates a huge jump in the EPC ranking. The efficiency goes from 0.85 (oil) to 3.5 or 4.0 (heat pump) - four times more efficient! This single intervention can push the EPC up by 2-3 classes immediately.
The cheapest upgrade with the highest EPC return. Replacing an energy-hungry electric water heater (consuming 4,000 W) with free solar hot water dramatically improves the primary energy index. It costs €800-1,500 and pays for itself in 2-3 years.
Replacing 20-year-old "on/off" air conditioners with modern units featuring high SEER/SCOP ratings boosts the cooling class dramatically. A modern A+++ Inverter consumes up to 50% less electricity compared to an old-generation unit of the same capacity.
Even if you keep your gas boiler, adding an outdoor sensor (weather compensation) and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) earns valuable "automation points" in the KENAK software. In practice, you prove that your system doesn't waste a single kWh, automatically adjusting heat per room.
The Energy Performance Certificate is not just another piece of bureaucratic paper. It is the official "X-ray" of your property and its showcase in the real estate market.
Tenants and buyers are now educated: they know that a €400 rent in a "G" class home will ultimately cost more than a €500 rent in an "A" class home. Energy class has become a search criterion in property listings, just like the number of bedrooms.
By upgrading your heating and cooling systems, you don't just gain in comfort. You dramatically increase the market value of your property. Studies show that class A/B+ buildings sell for 10-15% more than equivalent lower-class properties.
The ideal strategy: insulation & windows first (reduce needs), then heat pump (replace fossil fuels), and finally solar & photovoltaics (energy production). This sequence maximises the EPC class jump and minimises equipment cost.
Contact a specialised engineer who can evaluate the best HVAC interventions for your specific property. Proper planning before renovation ensures that every euro invested returns many times over, both in savings and in property value.
📜 The EPC isn't "bureaucracy" - it's your property's energy passport. Make sure it looks good!
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