The energy transition of the European building sector is entering a new phase. With the approval of the EPBD IV Directive (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive), the European Union is redefining energy efficiency targets for residential, tertiary and industrial buildings, placing construction at the very heart of the decarbonisation strategy.
In the very near future, some measures will start to become operational, with concrete effects on building design, renovation and management already in the coming months. Let’s take a closer look at what is changing and what practical implications should be considered.
What is the EPBD IV Directive?
EPBD IV is the latest evolution of the European directive on the energy performance of buildings, updated to align with the objectives of the Net Zero and climate neutrality by 2050.
The building sector accounts for around 40% of energy consumption and over 35% of CO₂ emissions in Europe. This is why action is required not only for new buildings, but above all for the existing building stock.
Key changes ahead
1. Zero-emission buildings (ZEB)
- All new public buildings will be required to be zero-emission buildings
- From 2028, the obligation will extend to all new buildings, including residential and industrial ones
A ZEB is a highly energy-efficient building whose remaining energy demand is covered by renewable sources, preferably produced on site or nearby.
2. Progressive phase-out of fossil fuels
The directive foresees:
- An end to incentives for fossil fuel boilers by 2025
- A gradual phase-out of exclusively fossil-based heating systems by 2040
This is not an immediate ban, but a gradual transition that promotes:
- hybrid systems
- heat pumps
- integration with renewable energy sources
- “hybrid-ready” solutions
3. Renovation of existing buildings
One of the most sensitive aspects concerns existing buildings.
EPBD IV introduces:
- minimum energy performance standards
- priority intervention for the least efficient buildings (lower energy classes)
- gradual improvement obligations, defined at national level
For residential buildings, the objective is a progressive reduction of average energy consumption, not mandatory renovation of every single property.
4. Greater focus on automation and control
The directive recognises a central role for:
- building automation
- advanced temperature control
- energy consumption monitoring
In non-residential and industrial buildings, the following become increasingly important:
- intelligent system control
- zone-based regulation
- dynamic optimisation of heating and cooling
Producing “clean” energy is not enough: it must also be managed more intelligently.
Impacts on residential buildings
For the residential sector, EPBD IV means:
- greater focus on envelope insulation
- wider adoption of low-temperature systems
- growing importance of room temperature control and smart programming
- increased value of systems that reduce waste and unnecessary cycles
The home of the future will be less energy-intensive not only because of how it is built, but because of how it is managed.
Impacts on industrial and tertiary buildings
In industrial and professional contexts, the effects will be even more evident:
- integration of energy efficiency with operational continuity
- increased demand for reliable, certified control systems
- strong focus on safety, maintenance and load optimisation
Here, the directive does not impose one-size-fits-all solutions, but requires measurable performance and real energy savings.
A gradual, but inevitable transition
EPBD IV should not be seen as a sudden obligation, but as a clear trajectory:
- less waste
- lower emissions
- greater efficiency
- smarter system management
2026 is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new phase in which designers, installers, companies and end users will need to adopt a more integrated approach.
The role of IMIT
For over 100 years, IMIT has been operating in the field of system regulation and safety, supporting the technological evolution of buildings and industry.
In a regulatory context increasingly focused on efficiency, control and sustainability, temperature regulation becomes a key element in turning regulatory objectives into concrete results.
Because the energy transition does not rely solely on new energy sources, but on smart, measurable choices made every day.