FAQ

An energy audit is a comprehensive and detailed analysis of a building's energy performance. Unlike a quick review, it's a professional assessment that includes an on-site inspection, analysis of building systems (HVAC, lighting, industrial systems, etc.), and detailed measurements and calculations of heat loss and energy consumption. The result is a technical passport and a report with specific recommendations for energy-saving measures (ESMs) that can improve the energy efficiency of the building. These measures are accompanied by calculated potential savings and a projected return on investment for these ESMs.

The energy audit is not just a formal procedure. It is a key tool for improving your property. Its main purpose is to give you a clear understanding of your building's energy weaknesses and identify measures to fix them. The benefits are numerous, with the main ones being reduced energy costs, increased market value of your building, greater comfort for occupants, and reduced carbon emissions.

Yes. According to the Bulgarian law and the European Union Directive on the energy performance of buildings, the energy audit is mandatory for all newly constructed buildings. Without energy audit, energy performance certificate (EPC) cannot be issued, which is a mandatory condition for applying for grants or loans under energy efficiency programs, including funding under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) of Bulgaria.

След като приключи обследването, ще получите доклад, на базата на който се издава енергиен сертификат. Тези документи са вашата пътна карта за действие. Въз основа на тях можете да планирате и да извършите препоръчаните мерки за енергийна ефективност. С помощта на доклада можете да се обърнете към изпълнители за изготвяне на оферти и да вземете информирано решение кои инвестиции са най- изгодни за вас.

The Energy Performance Certificate is an official document, which is issued after an energy audit. It summarizes the building's energy performance results, reveals its energy class, and outlines the energy-saving measures (ESMs) that need to be taken. Buildings are certified on a scale from A to G, which indicates the annual energy consumption per square meter. Class A signifies extremely high efficiency, whereas Class G means extremely low efficiency.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is necessary for several key reasons, which relate to both the legal aspects of ownership and the practical and financial value of the building. Here are the most important ones:

• Legal Requirement – According to the Bulgarian law, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a mandatory document for real estate transactions. It must be provided to the buyer or the tenant for every sale, rental, or for a new construction in order to get a permit for use (Act 16).
• Transparency and Informed Decisions – The certificate gives potential buyers and tenants an objective assessment of a building's energy performance. It helps them understand the expected costs for electricity, heating, cooling, and hot water, which assists them in making an informed decision about their future investment or rental.
• Increased Market Value: Buildings and properties with a high energy class (A and B) are much more attractive on the market. By showing that a building is energy efficient, the owner can justify a higher sale price earning the trust of the buyers.
• Action Plan: The certificate is not just an assessment, but a practical guide. It contains specific recommendations for energy-saving measures (ESMs) that can improve the building's energy class – such as installing a photovoltaic (PV) system (solar panels), replacing lighting with LEDs, insulating walls and the roof, replacing windows, etc. These recommendations are accompanied by calculations for potential savings and payback period for the corresponding investment.
• Access to Funding: Having a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a mandatory condition for applying for a number of state and European grant programs or low-interest bank loans intended for retrofitting and increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. This also includes the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) of Bulgaria, which is a key instrument for financing private businesses with European funds.

The validity period of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is 10 years. It is important to note that if significant changes are made to the building within this period which affect its energy efficiency (e.g. building photovoltaic system (PV), adding new external insulation, replacing all windows, changing the heating system, etc.), a new energy audit must be conducted to issue a new, updated EPC.

voltaic system (PV) is an installation that converts sunlight directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. It is one of the primary methods for producing clean and renewable energy.

The principle of operation is based on photovoltaic cells, which are typically made from semiconductor material like silicon. When photons from sunlight hit these cells, they transfer their energy to the electrons in the material. These electrons are freed from their atoms and start to move, generating a direct current (DC). The DC is then converted into an alternating current (AC) by a device called an inverter so it can be used by the households and the industries.

A standard PV system consists of several key components:

• Photovoltaic panels – They are made up of many photovoltaic cells and are the main element that captures the sunlight, which is consequently converted to DC.
• Inverter – It converts the DC from the panels to AC, which is compatible with the electrical grid and most appliances.
• Mounting structure – A metal frame or system that securely fastens the panels to the roof or the ground, while positioning them at an optimal angle for maximum sunlight capture.
• Meters and cables – These are used to measure the energy produced by the PV system and connect the system's components.
• Batteries: In some systems, batteries are used to store excess energy produced during the day so it can be used at night when there is no sunlight.

There are three main types of photovoltaic systems (PV):

• On-Grid – These PV systems are connected to the public electricity grid. The energy produced is fed directly into the grid, and the power is drawn from it when needed. These systems do not require batteries.
• Off-Grid: These PV systems are not connected to the public grid and rely entirely on their own energy production and storage. They absolutely must include batteries for energy storage to ensure continuous power supply.
• Hybrid: A combination of the first two types. They are connected to the grid but also have batteries for energy storage. This allows owners to use stored power at night or during power outages, as well as to sell any surplus to the grid.

The benefits are significant for all clients, both businesses and individuals. Private clients enjoy a noticeable reduction in monthly electricity bills, energy independence, and peace of mind from rising electricity prices. For business clients, the benefits are substantial, as a PV system helps them cut significantly their operating costs, thereby increasing their operating profit. Additionally, businesses demonstrate social responsibility and an eco-friendly image, which greatly improves the company's public profile and brand perception.

In principle, yes, but many factors are considered. For homes, the orientation (south is best), lack of shading, and the strength of the roof structure are important. For commercial buildings and warehouses, which often have large flat roofs, the possibilities are even greater, allowing for the installation of large-scale systems. A preliminary inspection is always conducted to ensure the roof is suitable for construction of PV system.

Energy production depends on sunlight. On cloudy days, efficiency decreases, and at night, it stops completely. For both private and business clients, there are two main solutions:

• System with batteries – The energy produced is stored in batteries to be used at night or during bad weather.
• Grid connection – The system remains connected to the public electricity grid. During the day, excess energy is sent to the grid, whereas at night, or when there is a shortfall, power is drawn from it.

The photovoltaic (solar) panels have a lifespan of over 25-30 years, with manufacturers providing a warranty for their efficiency within this period. Inverters typically have a shorter lifespan – around 10-15 years – after which they need to be replaced. The batteries last an average of 5 to 20 years depending on their type. Lead-acid batteries have the shortest life, from 3 to 5 years or about 500- 1000 charge/discharge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries offer a significantly longer life – between 10 and 15 years or 3000-6000 cycles. Flow batteries are the most durable and provide trouble-free operation for over 20 years.

The maintenance of the photovoltaic systems (PV) is minimal. It primarily involves cleaning the panels and periodic monitoring of the system performance.

You need to contact us and send us a completed Questionnaire for a PV installation quote.

Installation time depends on the scale and complexity of the project. Typically, for small and medium-sized buildings, the process takes about two weeks if the equipment is in stock. It takes longer for large industrial sites, as the PV configuration is individual for each building, and the components must be delivered especially for it.

Costs are determined individually based on the client's needs and the size of the site. They include the purchase of hardware, installation, and subscription to the software platform.

Savings vary depending on your current situation. Our clients often achieve savings of 15% to 30% within the first year. The return on investment is usually 2 years.

Energy performance monitoring is an intelligent system for collecting and analyzing energy consumption data. For households, monitoring clearly shows which appliances are the biggest "consumers" and helps them build better energy saving habits. For business customers, monitoring is a powerful management tool that breaks down consumption by individual systems (e.g. lighting, HVAC, production equipment, etc.), allowing for precise process optimization and real-time detection of potential problems. This is one of the most important steps toward achieving sustainable long-term energy efficiency.

The main benefit is control. Private clients can track their consumption directly through a mobile app, which gives them peace of mind and visibility. For business customers, monitoring is a decision-making tool. It allows for creation of reports and detection of consumption anomalies, which is critical for maintaining high operational efficiency and reducing costs in the long run.

Да, съвременните системи за мониторинг предлагат лесен достъп до всички данни чрез мобилно приложение или уеб портал, което ви позволява да следите потреблението си от всяка точка на света.

In most cases, this is not necessary. The monitoring system integrates with your existing installations without requiring significant changes. Recommendations for such changes are made after analyzing the data, if they are economically justified. In some cases, especially in older buildings, it may be necessary to replace the electrical panel with a new one that is suitable for integration with the measuring devices of the monitoring system and other components.

What components are included in an energy monitoring system?

Hardware Components (Measuring Devices)

These are physical devices that collect information about energy consumption. They are installed in strategic locations to ensure precise data.

Smart meters – New-generation meters that measure the building’s total consumption in real time. They are the core part of the system, often providing data by the hour, which allows for optimization of consumption on hourly basis throughout the day.

• Current transformers/sensors – Small devices that are mounted on the cables of individual appliances or electrical circuits in the panel. They allow to measure the consumption of a specific appliance or area (e.g., lighting, HVAC, etc.) without interrupting the power supply.
• Smart plugs – An easy-to-install way to monitor the consumption of a single appliance plugged into an outlet. They often also offer the option of remote control.
• Environmental sensors – These include sensors for temperature, humidity, light, and presence. Their data provides context for energy consumption, for example, if the air conditioner runs more during certain hours when people are not around.

Software Components

This is the "brain" of the monitoring system which collects, analyzes, and visualizes the data from the hardware devices.

• Communication module - Software or device (gateway) that collects information from all sensors and transmits it to a central database. Communication can be wireless (5/4/3G, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave) or wired (e.g. Ethernet).
• Database - A server solution for storing large volume of historical measurement data. This allows for tracking consumption over time, identifying trends, and comparing consumption for different periods.
• Analysis and visualization software – The primary tool for the user. It processes the data and presents it in the form of graphs, tables, charts, etc. This software can identify consumption anomalies, calculate costs, estimate carbon emissions, and generate reports.
• User interface (Dashboard) - This is a mobile app or web portal through which the user can access the data and control the connected devices.

The components of the energy monitoring and management systems are different for each building. Their number and type are customized through an initial project design process that is created for each individual client after clarifying their specific needs and requirements.