Deep renovation

Defined by the result, and the result changes in 2030

A deep renovation is defined by where the building ends up, not by how much work is done. Before 1 January 2030 the target is a nearly zero-energy building; from that date it is a zero-emission building. The same works can therefore count as a deep renovation in 2029 and fall short in 2030, if they leave fossil fuel use on site.

Two further conditions apply. The renovation must follow the energy efficiency first principle, so it reduces demand before it adds supply. And it must focus on essential building elements, which point (17) defines as technical building systems and elements of the building envelope.

The term is the target of the renovation passport, which point (19) defines as a roadmap for the deep renovation of a specific building. A staged deep renovation, point (21), is a deep renovation carried out in steps set out in such a passport.

The term carries money rather than duties. Article 17(16) requires Member States to incentivise deep renovation and staged deep renovation with higher financial, fiscal, administrative and technical support, and Article 17(7) names funds targeting deep renovations among the financial tools Member States must promote. Article 9(4) refers to financing schemes for deep renovations as one way to support compliance with minimum energy performance standards.

Deep renovation is a different concept from major renovation in point (22), which turns on cost or envelope surface and does not require any end result.