The measurement of buildings is carried out in accordance with the EN ISO 6781-1:2023 standard by a certified Level II thermographer. The non-destructive thermal performance assessment of buildings is conducted using a thermal imaging camera in order to identify and localize thermal bridges, heat losses, insulation deficiencies, and air leaks. In addition to EU Taxonomy requirements, such measurements are also relevant for building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB.
For the measurement of industrial and electrical power systems (e.g., checking for overheating in switchboards, monitoring the condition of cables, turbomachinery, bearings), other standards apply:
- IEC 62446-3 (thermography of photovoltaic systems),
- ISO 18434-1 (thermographic condition monitoring of mechanical equipment),
- or various IEC electrical safety standards.
In many cases, such measurements are required for insurance purposes. Our experience shows that these inspections (and interventions in case of detected faults) can prevent significant financial damage and even loss of life.
Important: The usual air leakage paths — doors and vents — must be temporarily sealed and the building services (ventilation and fire-safety systems) switched off before the test. Careful preparation is required.
For the test, a variable-speed fan is mounted in a door or window frame (hence the English term “blower door”). Using the fan, we then create approximately +50 Pa overpressure and −50 Pa underpressure (which roughly corresponds to a Beaufort wind force of 4–5) and measure the air leakage under these controlled conditions. This procedure also helps identify locations causing leakage (for example defects originating in the design or workmanship).
Largely invisible to the naked eye, these problems can be reliably detected by non-destructive testing methods such as air-tightness testing and thermographic (infrared) surveys, providing reassuring answers about whether the building suffers from excessive air leakage, which can:
- work against energy efficiency and increase operational costs;
- cause moisture damage (when convective airflows form);
- degrade acoustic performance;
- lead to deterioration of the indoor air environment;
- create thermal comfort problems (drafts);
- and may prevent fire-protection systems that rely on inerting gases from functioning correctly.
The air-tightness measurement is performed in accordance with EN ISO 9972:2015. The test is a standard part of the requirements for various certification schemes (such as LEED, BREEAM, DGNB, WELL) and is relevant to the EU Taxonomy.
Blower door setup used to create controlled overpressure and underpressure during an air-tightness test.
Energy certification of buildings according to Decree 9/2023 ÉKM, resulting in a verified energy performance certificate. This document and the corresponding classification (near-zero energy demand) are mandatory requirements for obtaining a occupancy permit for new buildings. For existing buildings, the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is essential for rental and sales contracts. The certificate provides the building’s primary energy consumption and CO₂ emissions calculated using a standardized methodology, and also includes optimization recommendations.
The energy certificate becomes verified when a registered energy auditor at the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers uploads it to the Lechner Knowledge Center database. Uploaded certificates, valid for five years, can be queried at any time by address.
The verified energy savings can also be documented for grant applications and EKR projects.
Additional sustainability-focused expert contributions
The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is a cross-sectoral requirement under the EU Taxonomy and must be applied to all relevant economic activities.
After defining the time horizon and scope of assessment, we identify the climate-related hazards relevant to the activity, such as:
- Heatwaves / heat stress
- Extreme rainfall, flooding
- Severe windstorms
- Sea level rise / coastal flooding
- Drought / water scarcity
- Lack of snow/ice / frost damage, etc.
Next comes the assessment of sensitivity and exposure.
By determining both the severity of potential impacts and the likelihood of occurrence, we establish an overall risk level. Based on this, we propose adaptation measures. The aim is to reduce each hazard’s associated risk to an acceptable level.
The life cycle assessment of buildings is carried out according to the guidance of the Level(s) framework and the EN 15978 standard.
The purpose of the calculation is to determine the total embodied and (expected) operational environmental footprint and carbon emissions over the entire building life cycle—ideally already in the design phase. The results support informed decision-making, for example in making use of passive architectural solutions, choosing appropriate construction technologies and materials, and optimizing operation.
The EU Taxonomy does not yet define threshold values; it only requires that the calculation be performed. However, the progressively stricter European building energy regulation, i.e. the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), will make such calculations mandatory from 2027 and will gradually introduce binding performance thresholds.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) visual representation of environmental footprint across the building life cycle.
The CRREM (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor) is an international framework that helps real estate stakeholders – such as investors, developers, or operators – assess and reduce the carbon emissions of their properties, while also aligning with long-term decarbonization goals.
What is CRREM used for?
- It shows how a specific building or portfolio performs in terms of carbon emissions.
- Makes properties comparable against the sector’s designated “decarbonization pathway.”
- Helps identify carbon risks (e.g., when a building becomes “stranded” compared to environmental expectations).
- Supports sustainable investment decisions and regulatory compliance (e.g., EU Taxonomy, SFDR).
Why is it important?
Due to tightening regulations and market expectations, carbon emissions have become a key factor for real estate. CRREM helps anticipate which buildings may lose value in the future and how this can be prevented through retrofits and energy efficiency investments.