COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 4 May 1976 on the rational use of energy in the heating systems of existing buildings (76/493/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to the draft from the Commission,

Whereas, in its resolution of 17 September 1974 concerning a new energy policy strategy for the Community (1), the Council accepted as an objective the "reduction of the rate of growth of internal consumption by measures for using energy rationally and economically without jeopardizing social and economic growth objectives";

Whereas, in its resolution of 17 December 1974 on a Community action programme on the rational utilization of energy (2), the Council noted that, in its communication to the Council entitled "Rational utilization of energy", the Commission had drawn up a Community action programme in this field;

Whereas tangible results should be obtained as soon as possible in the rational use of energy ; whereas considerable short-term energy savings could be made in the heating systems of existing buildings;

Whereas this objective can be achieved in buildings with collective heating systems only if the occupants are able to regulate their own energy consumption and benefit from the resulting energy savings;

Whereas the measures recommended are likely to produce sufficiently large savings in energy to make the required investment economically worthwhile,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE MEMBER STATES:

that they adopt any laws, regulations or administrative measures necessary to ensure that: 1. in existing buildings which are not occupied all the time, e.g. offices and some public buildings 1.1. where economically justifiable, heating systems are fitted with an automatic programming and regulating device which will produce the desired temperature curve.

It is recommended that the maximum temperature should not exceed 20 ºC when the building is occupied and that heat output be kept to a minimum when the building is empty, while at the same time maintaining a sufficiently high temperature to prevent damage to interior structures and installations and to enable the recommended temperature to be reached once the building is occupied;

1.2. where economically justifiable, a separate automatic cut-in device is fitted to the collective heating system in every part of the building. For example, where radiators are used, at least one in each room should be fitted with a thermostatic valve which would automatically reduce the flow of water to prevent the maximum recommended temperature being exceeded;

2. in existing residential accommodation 2.1. where economically justifiable, individual heating systems are controlled by one or more devices which regulate the supply of heat to the dwellings according to the outside or inside temperature or both; (1)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 1. (2)OJ No C 153, 9.7.1975, p. 5.

2.2. where economically justifiable, the heat supply from collective heating systems is regulated according to the outside temperature and, where technically possible, a heat metering or distributing device is installed in each individual dwelling, to measure the quantity of heat consumed by each user, thus enabling the heating costs to be calculated on the basis of individual consumption;

3. as regards the maintenance and inspection of heating systems (excluding electrical appliances) >PIC FILE= "T0010339"> 3.2. the programme of inspection and servicing of heating systems is developed gradually as staff and funds become available and, in addition, maximum scales of charges for inspection and servicing are regulated;

4. as regards improving the efficiency of hot-water systems in residential accommodation 4.1. hot-water meters are installed, as far as technically possible and where economically justifiable, to measure the quantity of hot-water consumed by each user so that the heating costs may be calculated on the basis of individual consumption;

4.2. the temperature of the hot water distributed is kept at the lowest level compatible with the particular characteristics of the heater and the requirements of the users;

a publicity campaign is organized to inform users of the practical value of keeping the temperature of the water as it leaves the boiler as low as possible and having the heater periodically serviced in order to improve the efficiency of instant hot-water systems in single-family houses.

Done at Brussels, 4 May 1976.

For the Council

The President

G. THORN

(1)For the purposes of this recommendation the capacity of heating system is the product of the quantity of fuel consumed per hour, at maximum continuous performance, and the lower calorific value of this fuel.