Energy Performance Aspects of Non-Residential Buildings in Latvia

Abstract

Abstract Increase of energy efficiency is Latvia’s national priority and policy instrument that allows reducing consumption of energy and costs, increasing the safety level of energy supply and reducing dependence on import. One of the trends for reducing energy consumption is to increase energy performance of buildings. In compliance with the EU and Latvian political statements, it is required to promote renovation of residential and non-residential buildings. Studies regarding energy performance aspects in the sector of non-residential buildings in Latvia are comparatively rare; however, non-residential buildings form a considerable part of the building stock, and the increase of their energy performance can bring a significant contribution in achieving the national targets. The research analyses the sector of non-residential buildings, their characteristic statistical data, energy consumption and requirements of energy performance standards. To characterise this sector more comprehensively, information on energy performance certificates of buildings issued during the period from 2016 to 2021 has been evaluated, allowing to make general conclusions on the energy performance level of different non-residential buildings and provide proposals for trends to increase their energy efficiency.