Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) has put forth a proposal that could have significant consequences for around 400,000 Danish homeowners. According to a report from DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), the Social Democrats wish for all Danish homes to have at least an energy label E by 2035. The proposal comes from Niels Fuglsang, a member of the EU Parliament, and is intended to be implemented when the EU’s building directive is revised in 2027 or 2028. Professor Per Heiselberg from Aalborg University estimates that around 400,000 single-family homes will be affected by this requirement. To meet the new energy requirement, homeowners will, on average, need to spend 300,000 Danish kroner per household.
Fuglsang emphasizes that the lowest energy classes, F and G, should be phased out, as homes in these categories are often poorly insulated and inefficient in terms of energy consumption, resulting in high heating bills. The scale for energy labels ranges from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient. Fuglsang suggests that there may be exceptions for summer houses and protected buildings. He also mentions that the EU has established a climate fund to financially support economically vulnerable homeowners in upgrading their homes to achieve better energy labels.
Energy labels have been a part of the Danish housing sector since 1998 as a result of EU requirements aimed at reducing energy consumption. These labels are valid for ten years and can significantly impact housing prices, as they indicate how energy-efficient a house is.