Benchmarktool for Flemish EPC-label

For the Vlaams Energieagentschap (VEA) we developed a user-friendly web application that allows citizens to quickly calculate how energy-efficient their home is.

Challenge

VEA needed a user-friendly web tool to help citizens compare their home’s energy performance using an EPC label, seamlessly integrated into woningpas and energiesparen.be.

Solution

We developed an intuitive benchmark tool that guides users through simple questions, provides an indicative EPC label, and allows them to explore energy-saving improvements.

Result

The final tool is well-integrated, visually appealing, easy to use, and empowers citizens and stakeholders to make informed energy efficiency decisions.

The Vlaams Energieagentschap (VEA) is an independent agency within the Department of Environment, responsible for implementing sustainable energy policies. One of its key objectives is to promote energy efficiency and encourage environmentally friendly energy production.

To achieve this, VEA wanted to empower citizens by allowing them to compare the energy performance of their homes. The goal was to raise awareness and increase knowledge about home energy efficiency.

VEA required a user-friendly web application that would:

Enable citizens to benchmark their home’s energy performance at different levels (regional, provincial, municipal, and possibly even smaller scales).
Use an EPC label system, similar to the labeling of electrical appliances based on energy efficiency.
Be seamlessly integrated into their website energiesparen.be and woningpas, a digital home passport that provides key property-related information.
Be easily adoptable by stakeholders like the construction sector, real estate professionals, and local governments for integration into their platforms.

From the first workshops between ACA and VEA, it became clear that the target group was broader than just citizens who already knew their EPC label. Many users had no prior knowledge of their energy performance score but still wanted to assess their home's efficiency.

To accommodate all users, we developed a benchmark tool that:

Guides users through a series of simple questions.
Generates an indicative EPC label based on their responses.
Allows users to explore improvements by adjusting parameters such as adding a heat pump or insulation.

The ACA team kept the end user at the heart of our EPC tool, asking critical questions and exploring new possibilities. They challenged us to think deeply about our audience and goals in an inspiring way. The collaboration was smooth, fun, and fueled by expertise. The result is a satisfied user base that praises the tool for its clarity, design, and ease of use.

Mieke Deurinck

Policy Officer