Energy efficiency classes are designated by the letters A–G

In recent years, energy efficiency classes have been a hot topic for discussion since both energy prices and housing costs have increased.  “Many people are keen to know how to save on living costs”, says Nordea’s Economist Juho Kostiainen.

You can see the energy efficiency class of your home in the energy performance certificate. Energy efficiency is rated on a scale from A to G, where A is the most efficient and G is the least efficient. 

“Usually homes in classes A and B have energy-efficient windows, proper insulation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, for instance. They are often connected to district heating or have a geothermal pump. 

New buildings completed in the 2020s typically belong to class A or B, as the energy performance certificate is drafted according to the 2018 regulations. 

“If the energy efficiency class is high, the charge for common expenses is usually smaller in an apartment and the energy costs are lower in a single-family home,” says Kostiainen.

Here’s how much you can save on living costs in an energy-efficient building

Our example shows that two adults living in an apartment of 60 square metres with energy efficiency class A can save up to 50% on their energy bill compared to an apartment with class G.

In a single-family home the difference can be many times greater. The calculation shows that a family of four can save close to 600 euros a month on their energy bill in a home with energy efficiency class A compared to a home with class G. 

 “Your energy consumption patterns also have a big impact on energy costs. The costs depend on the room temperature, water consumption and how often you heat the sauna, for instance,” Kostiainen points out.

In the example below, you can see an estimate of monthly energy costs for different energy efficiency classes and buildings. The figures are indicative and based on statistical modelling.

Examples of energy costs for different energy efficiency classes
Energy efficiency class2 adults, an apartment of 60 m22 adults + 2 children, a single-family home of 130 m2
A120 euros per month242 euros per month
B129 euros per month289 euros per month
C150 euros per month349 euros per month
D168 euros per month420 euros per month
E183 euros per month546 euros per month
F206 euros per month691 euros per month
G257 euros per month839 euros per month
Tiesitkö?

How energy is used in a household

  • Heating of spaces 66% 
  • Heating of domestic water 16% 
  • Household appliances 13% 
  • Heating of saunas 5%

Source: Energy consumption in households 2023, Statistics Finland

Compare energy efficiency classes of different buildings easily online

Want to know how energy efficiency classes vary depending on the year of completion or the type of the building? And do energy efficiency classes differ between different homes depending on whether their energy performance certificate is drafted according to the 2013 regulations or 2018 regulations? 

You can easily compare the energy efficiency of a building with other buildings of the same type or age using the tool provided by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland. The tool also helps you to find out how the energy efficiency class varies depending on the year of completion or the intended use of the building.

Go to the energy performance certificate register’s websiteOpens new window

Energy-efficient renovation can improve the energy efficiency class of your home

The energy efficiency class of old buildings is often lower than that of new buildings. You can improve the energy efficiency of your home by adding insulation, with waste heat recovery or heat pumps or by installing solar panels, for instance.

“People usually start considering energy-efficient improvements when a technical system reaches the end of its life cycle,” says Kostiainen.

Energy-efficient renovation can help you save on energy costs, improve the energy class of your home and make your home more comfortable.

Read more about loans for energy-efficient renovation

Frequently asked questions about energy efficiency classes