Globes, Uri Khodi, 23.06.2020
Energy rating for new apartments as well. The Knesset Economic Committee approved new regulations initiated by the Ministry of Energy together with the Green Building Council regarding the presentation of energy rating for residential buildings by contractors. It should be noted that as of today, an energy rating is an existing standard in the real estate industry (standard 5282) and has been taken into account when it comes to grading buildings in green construction. The regulations approved today by the Economic Committee state that the presentation of the standard will become mandatory, but not in the first stage.
Thus, after the committee's approval, there are 90 days during which the regulations will be further assimilated and finalized. Then, starting this December, contractors will be able to start displaying the standard stickers, but they will not be required to do so. The introduction of the energy standard will become mandatory only after two additional conditions are met - the amendment to the Sales Law promoted by the Ministry of Construction and Housing for several years will be finalized and approved, and the green building charge will take effect. According to estimates by the Ministry of Energy, the introduction of the standard will probably become mandatory during 2021. Today, the Ministry of Energy also adds that the plan is that by then the general public will already know to demand this from the contractors when buying a new apartment. The rating label itself will appear in the contractor's specification.
It should be noted that as part of the committee's discussion, it was argued that the regulations would lead to the rise of new apartments, and it was therefore decided that the committee would monitor the implementation of the regulations and their impact. The first report will be submitted to the Economics Committee two years after the regulations are implemented, and will then submit three additional reports once a year.
According to the new regulations, new apartments that will be marketed to consumers will be rated according to the quality of the energy in the building, similar to the energy rating of electrical appliances, from A + to F. The higher the rank of the housing unit and the closer to + A, the greater the energy and money savings for tenants - the greater. In doing so, Israel joins 27 EU countries that have also enacted energy rating regulations for building legislation. The energy standard takes into account the complex of building and apartment planning activities, such as the direction of the apartment in relation to the sun; External shadows; Insulation - the building materials of the structure and glazing; Natural ventilation and more. Thus, the more positive the rating scales rise.
The Energy Ministry explains: "The rating is intended to reflect future tenants' future energy consumption of the apartment, and will help purchasers to take into account the expected energy consumption, as part of the range of considerations when purchasing the apartment. Simple and effective. "
Energy Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz added: "The label can give valuable information to the buyer about the energy efficiency of the property he intends to purchase."
Yael Begun, CEO of the Green Building Council: "Approving the regulations for energy rating is an important first step in making consumers an influential force in the promotion of quality and energy-efficient buildings. From now on, the building's energetic performance is a consideration of consumer choices. We expect that with the increase in demand for energetically efficient buildings, authorities and entrepreneurs will have to align with the trend and stop building wasteful energy structures, much like in the Western world. "
Knesset Speaker Knesset Member Knesset Barak (Likud), who chaired the committee discussion in Knesset Member Yaakov Margi's (SHS): "The energy rating is a welcome and appropriate move that brings transparency and energy savings to home buyers in Israel. We must make sure that the expected costs Therefore, I demanded that the Ministry of Energy report the implementation of the regulations, while maintaining the simple equation: Energy saving as a tool to reduce cost of living. I will continue to work to ensure that house prices do not rise. "