Energy Forum Denmark, TEKNIQ and a wide range of organizations – have addressed a joint appeal to the Danish Parliament's Climate, Energy and Utilities Committee and the Housing Committee. The goal is to ensure that the importance of district heating for the green transition is recognized and correctly included in the implementation of the EU's Building Directive. The problem is that district heating is subject to an unequal calculation.

Today, energy is weighted differently depending on whether a building is heated with district heating or a heat pump. This means that two identical buildings can be assessed differently in relation to the requirements for zero-emission construction.

The consequence is that buildings heated by district heating have more difficulty meeting the requirements – even after cost-optimal improvements – while buildings with heat pumps can meet the requirements with fewer measures. This can challenge well-functioning district heating areas and create distortions in the choice of heating method.

The industry calls for the calculation method for all forms of energy to be the same, and for the system benefits of district heating – such as flexibility and heat storage – to be included in the energy calculation. A recalculation of the primary energy factor (PEF) for district heating, where the collective benefits are recognized, will provide a more accurate picture of district heating's contribution to the green transition.

Read the call here.

Behind the slogan is:

• Energy Forum Denmark
• TECHNIQ
• Green Transition Denmark,
• The Association of Architects
• Danish Architectural Firms
• Danish business
• Dansk Industri
• Danish Construction Trades
• EjendomDanmark
• The Association of Consulting Engineers – FRI
• The Designers Association
• The Council for Sustainable Construction
• Veltek
• BL
• Danish District Heating
• Danish Building Centres