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Comparative methodology framework to identify cost-optimal levels of energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements The comparative methodology framework shall enable Member States to determine the energy and emission performance of buildings and building elements and the economic aspects of measures relating to the energy and emission performance, and to link them with a view to identifying the cost-optimal level to achieve the 2030 emission reduction and climate neutrality goals, as well as a zero-emission building stock by 2050 at the latest. The comparative methodology framework shall be accompanied by guidelines outlining how to apply that framework in the calculation of cost-optimal performance levels.

The comparative methodology framework shall allow for taking into account use patterns, outdoor climate conditions and their future changes according to best available climate projections, including heat and cold waves, investment costs, building category, maintenance and operating costs (including energy costs and savings), earnings from energy produced, where applicable, environmental and health externalities of energy use, waste management costs, where applicable, and technological developments. It should be based on relevant European standards relating to this Directive. The Commission shall also provide:

— guidelines to accompany the comparative methodology framework; those guidelines will serve to enable the Member States to undertake the steps listed below,

— information on estimated long-term energy price developments. For the application of the comparative methodology framework by Member States, general conditions, expressed by parameters, shall be laid down at Member State level. The Commission shall issue recommendations to Member States regarding their cost optimality levels, where relevant. The comparative methodology framework shall require Member States to:

— define reference buildings that are characterised by and representative of their functionality and geographic location, including indoor and outdoor climate conditions. The reference buildings shall cover residential and non-residential buildings, both new and existing ones,

— define energy efficiency measures to be assessed for the reference buildings. Those may be measures for individual buildings as a whole, for individual building elements, or for a combination of building elements,

— assess the final and primary energy need and resulting emissions of the reference buildings with the defined energy efficiency measures applied,

— calculate the costs (i.e. the net present value) of the energy efficiency measures (as referred to in the second indent) during the expected economic life cycle applied to the reference buildings (as referred to in the first indent) by applying the comparative methodology framework principles.

By calculating the costs of the energy efficiency measures during the expected economic life cycle, the cost-effectiveness of different levels of minimum energy performance requirements is assessed by the Member States. That will allow the determination of cost-optimal levels of energy performance requirements.