Energy efficiency

Buildings have huge potential for energy savings, and energy-efficient buildings are more attractive

Why is energy efficiency important?

Homes and non-residential buildings account for around half of Norway’s annual electricity consumption. By saving energy, we can free up resources for other sectors. This makes energy efficiency a minor conflict-filled climate measure. In addition, energy-efficient buildings are becoming more attractive for tenants, investors and lenders.

At DNB we want to contribute to energy improvement. We do this through green financing and by sharing our insight about energy improvement. Energy labelling is mandatory when selling and renting out buildings, and we expect customers to have this in order. For the least energy efficient buildings, there should be an action plan in place.

Did you know that…

NVE’s analyses show an efficacy potential in a building of 13TWh annually. This corresponds to annual production from about 800 wind turbines (new-type – 6 MW)
The transition to district heating helps to relieve the grid and reduce the fixed link on the grid lease. It also frees up electricity for electrification of other sectors.

How to reduce your building’s energy consumption

There are two main areas you can focus on to reduce energy use in your building:

Make building operations more efficient.
Good energy management can cut your energy consumption significantly, without you having to make physical changes to the building. By installing an energy monitoring system (EOS), mapping and recording energy consumption, and setting specific targets for savings, you can achieve good results.
See the Green Building Alliance campaign for inspiration
Carry out physical energy improvement measures.
Physical measures can improve the building’s energy rating, increase the value of the property and make it more attractive to tenants.

Step-by-step energy efficiency

Step 1: Start with energy labelling of the building

See Enova’s requirements for competence
As a builder, it’s important to have an energy certificate for your building. This certificate provides an overview of the building’s energy efficiency, and is the basis for further process and assessment of which measures will improve energy efficiency in a cost-effective way.
The energy certificate must be carried out by an expert. This is a requirement for both non-residential and multi-unit residential buildings. Even though Enova sets requirements for competence, they have no own approval scheme. There are many operators across the country who can help you with this. Some of them are:
- Sweco
- Multiconsult
- Energima
- Norconsult
- Entro
- Caverion
- GK
- Bravida
- Thermoenergi
- Cowi
- Energihuset
- Real Eiendomsforvaltning AS
- Energipakka.no

Step 2: Find savings potential through energy mapping

A thorough energy survey is a good place to start in order to find out where in the building you can make improvements. Energy mapping is a systematic study of the energy consumption of the building, with the aim of finding opportunities for energy savings. The result is a report that gives you an overview of the building’s current energy condition and potential for improvement.
Enova offers support for carrying out energy mapping, both for non-residential buildings and Larger housing associations (housing cooperatives and apartment buildings). The support can cover up to 50% of the costs, up to a maximum of NOK 400,000. Remember that there is competition for these funds and they must be applied for within given deadlines.

Step 3: Make an action plan

The energy survey results in an action report that serves as a basis for the further work. The report shows how different measures can improve energy efficiency and gives an indication of how you can lift the building's energy rating. Based on this, you will assess which measures will be initiated.
You can also apply for support from Enova. To qualify for support, you need to achieve at least 20% energy improvement. Enova can cover up to 30%, a maximum of NOK 10 million, of the investment in energy improvement.
Support for improvement of energy status in non-residential buildings
In addition, these support schemes can be found:
- Support for improving energy status in home companies
- Support for heating systems for buildings and property
Read more about the various support schemes here

Step 4: Financing

Step 5: Initiating

What do DNB expect from customers – and how can DNB contribute?

Our goal is to work together with customers in the transition to a low-emission society. Building energy efficiency is an important part of this work, and we have set ourselves the goal of reducing emissions related to energy use in buildings we finance.

DNB’s transaction plan (PDF)Open the file in a new tab

We support sustainable measures through green financing for energy-efficient buildings and energy efficiency measures. We also share knowledge about energy improvement.

Buildings with lower energy classes have an increased transition risk. This means that we must take into account the building’s current energy condition and the need for investments in risk assessment. Therefore, DNB expects all buildings that are obligatory for energy labelling to have this in place. For buildings with an energy class of E, F or G, we expect there to be an action plan with an overview of possible energy measures in the building.

In a customer survey we conducted in 2024, over 200 real estate customers responded to questions about energy efficiency. The results show an expectation of a green wave of rehabilitation towards 2030.

Remember that at DNB we are here to help you with green financing and guidance for energy improvement. Contact us to discuss how we can support you in making your building more energy efficient.

Frequently asked questions about energy efficiency

What is Energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency means achieving equal energy performance and comfort by choosing solutions that use less energy. For example, post-insulation of a building achieves the same heat comfort with less energy consumption than before the measure. Or replace the incandescent bulb with LED and get equally good light with less power consumption.

Energy efficiency is important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through smarter energy use, society can achieve significant savings and at the same time contribute to limiting global warming. Energy efficiency also means lasting cost savings. The higher the power costs, the greater the savings.

What is an energy performance certificate?

An energy certificate is compulsory for the sale or leasing of property > 50 m2 and has been stipulated in the Energy Label Regulations since 2010. The certificate provides an assessment of the building’s energy efficiency.

The certificate itself consists of an energy label, a list of measures for possible energy efficiency measures and documentation of the actual information on which the calculation is based. The energy labelling of non-residential buildings or buildings with multiple units must be carried out by an expert who meets Enova’s requirements for competence.

The energy certificate can be updated at any time and is valid for 10 years. The building owner is responsible for ensuring that the building is energy labelled

See the Energy Label Regulations

Read more about energy labelling here

Which buildings must have an energy certificate in accordance with the energy label regulations?

Energy labelling is compulsory for the sale and leasing of homes and non-residential buildings > 50 m2.

Section § 5 - Section § 7 of the Regulations shows that:

All homes or buildings that are to be sold or leased out must have an energy certificate.

All homes or buildings being built are obliged to have an energy certificate prior to completion.

Buildings that have not been completed must have an energy grade and heating grade guarantee before completion. If the building is marketed, the energy certificate must be part of the marketing.

Section 9 includes exemptions from the obligation. Exceptions may, among other things, be related to:

Freestanding building less than 50 m2

Buildings that are sold for deforestation by agreement

Buildings that are approved for protection due to the environment, etc. where energy-saving measures are not feasible

Industrial facilities and workshops with low energy requirements for heating and operation of the building’s technical facilities.

What is an energy label?

The energy label shows the calculated energy condition of a building and consists of the energy grade and the heating grade (red to green based on the type of energy delivered to the building. This will raise awareness about energy use and more energy-efficient solutions. The calculation is based on standardised conditions and will not take the usage pattern into account.

The energy grade goes from A to G, where A is the best grade. A good energy rating means that the building is energy efficient. At the same time, it is important that a building is operated energy-efficient.

What is the Building Energy Directive?

The Building Directive has been adopted in the EU and sets requirements for all new buildings to be zero-emission building by 2030, and for existing building materials to be converted into zero-emission building by 2050. This also requires energy efficiency of existing homes and non-residential buildings. For example, the 16% least energy efficient buildings will be improved by 2030 and the 26% least energy efficient buildings will be improved by 2033. Norway has not yet taken a position on the Directive.

What is a transition risk?

Transitional risks are risks linked to the transition to a low-emission society. Buildings are affected by financial risk associated with regulatory and market changes in connection with this transition

For companies reporting under the EU’s sustainability directive, CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), reports must be made on climate risk and how the company adapts to climate risk, among other things. At the same time, smaller companies may need to report as a supplier to companies with reporting obligations.

Buildings with a poor energy label can therefore represent an increased risk for both landlords and lenders, but also opportunities. Sustainable buildings and green investments can lead to higher property values, lower operating costs and higher tenant attractiveness. Energy efficient buildings will also have better financing conditions than less energy efficient properties with weaker energy labels.