The EPA-ED (Energy Performance Assessment of Existing Dwellings) method is a complete consultancy process suitable for issuing an Energy Performance Certificate for existing houses or apartment buildings, based on a set of tools that can be easily certified. The available tools enable the consultants to audit and assess a dwelling or an entire building in a uniform way. The consultant is then supported to provide homeowners with a client tailored advice for energy conservation measures that can improve energy performance by installing thermal insulation, double glazing, high-efficiency boilers, active solar systems etc.

The EPA-ED calculation model is the core of the available tools, and can be used to calculate the energy consumption of an existing dwelling or residential building and identifies potential energy-saving measures (based on cost-effectiveness) related to the building. After selecting 'energy-saving measures' the software calculates the new energy consumption based on the actual energy consumption of the occupants, including the investments, savings, CO2 emission reduction and annual savings on energy costs.

The EPA-ED project produced a number of products directed to policy makers, consultants and researchers. The EPA-ED method is a consultancy approach in line with the Energy Performance Directive for Buildings established by the European Commission. Reports, brochures and a CD-ROM accompany this method in order to facilitate policy makers in implementing the method on national or regional level.

Policy makers can benefit from a benchmark report describing the status and context of the existing dwelling stock in Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece. The report on new policies shows the framework of policies, actors and stakeholders that EPBD is to be implemented in. National brochures describe how EPA-ED can affect Energy Performance Assessment in the countries involved in EPA-ED. Thematic brochures cover some specific issues like a short description of the method, issues regarding energy labelling and the process of energy performance assessment.

Consultants and researchers are supported by a guide describing the EPA-ED method. More detailed information on how to apply the method in the market is described in the report on application strategies. To facilitate the consultant during the process a checklist for the intake of the client is available, together with information about adequate data acquisition by means of an inspection protocol. The EPA-ED software is available for calculating the energy performance of the building(s) and quantifying the effect of energy saving measures. Background information about the software is provided in a working document describing the formula structure

The EPA-ED software and tools are prototypes that can be adapted to national specifications for implementation in different countries (e.g. national data libraries for constructions, climate data and costs). The software incorporates available European standards (i.e. EN 832) but any new insights and norms can be built in easily when they become available, since EC - with the aid of CEN - is still working on the final elaboration of the EPBD.

Exchange networks of policy makers, researchers and consultants established by the European Commission will provide knowledge and experiences concerning implementation of the EPBD in the Member States. In order to achieve a optimal approach on local level (an appropriate quality against minimal effort), a method should also be attuned to the demands and the actual possibilities in a country regarding the way policy objectives are formulated, available information on the housing stock, the knowledge of consultants.