Energy label E
Energy label E means there is a fair amount to gain. That sounds worse than it is: it is precisely in these homes that the first measures deliver the most.
Contents
What does energy label E mean?
Label E stands for a home that uses clearly more energy than average. Usually the envelope is only partly insulated and heating still runs entirely on gas.
What does label E mean for letting?
For self-contained rental homes, labels E, F and G carry negative points in the housing valuation system, which lowers the maximum rent. For a landlord, improving is therefore a return question as much as an energy question. Read more on energy labels for rental homes.
From E to C or higher
At label E the order is usually clear: start with the envelope, because that is where the gap is. Roof insulation first, then cavity wall insulation, then the floor. Only after that the heating: a heat pump works best in a home that holds its heat.
What does it cost to have your label assessed?
Through Energielabel24 an energy label for a home costs between €199 and €489, depending on the property type and floor area. You see each assessor's price and delivery time before you choose.
Want to see how label E compares to the other classes? View the overview of all energy labels from A to G.
Label E in numbers
| Position on the scale | Scale from A++++ to G; E stands for worth improving |
| Typical for | Homes from the 1970s with limited insulation |
| Calculation method | NTA 8800, mandatory since 1 January 2021 |
| Validity | 10 years |
| Required when | Selling, letting and handover |
| Assessment price range | Between €199 and €489 |
What does a home need for energy label E?
Since 1 January 2021 the NTA 8800 calculation method decides the label. A home gets energy label E when its calculated primary fossil energy use is 290.01 to 335 kWh per square metre per year. That figure follows from the insulation of roof, walls, floor and glazing, the installations for heating, hot water and ventilation, and on-site generation such as solar panels.
There is no list of mandatory measures per letter; the combination counts. In practice a home with label E often has:
- little insulation
- a mix of single and double glazing
- an older central-heating boiler
- homes from the 1960s and 1970s
Two homes with the same features can still differ by a letter, because floor area, orientation and the ratio of envelope to volume are weighed as well. Only a certified EP assessor who inspects the home can determine the label. Without proof of insulation (invoices, photos, drawings) the assessor has to assume the least favourable value for the year of construction.
The difference with label D and F
The boundaries between the letters are fixed in NTA 8800. This is how the neighbouring letters relate:
| Label | Primary fossil energy use (kWh/m² per year) |
| Label D | 250.01 to 290 kWh |
| Label E | 290.01 to 335 kWh |
| Label F | 335.01 to 380 kWh |
You reach label D by bringing the energy use below 290 kWh; label F starts above 335 kWh. The closer your home sits to a boundary, the sooner a single measure makes the difference. Which measure that is, you read on the page improving your energy label.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a home with label E?
Yes. There is no statutory minimum label for homes. You only need a valid energy label, registered in EP-Online, at the moment of transfer.
How do I move up from label E?
Look first for the element that has had nothing done to it; that delivers more than improving something already reasonable. The page on improving your energy label sets out the order that delivers most in practice.
Why does my neighbour have a different label in the same house?
Small differences in insulation, installations and the position of the home in the block all count. A corner house has more external wall and therefore scores lower than a mid-terrace with identical insulation.
Will my label change if I use less energy?
No. The label describes the building, not your behaviour. Only a new assessment after a change to the home alters the class.
Sources
The rules and definitions on this page come from the official sources below. Last checked on 12 September 2026.
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