Energy label G
Energy label G is the lowest class on the scale. It mostly occurs in older, never-insulated homes. It is also the category where the first measure makes the biggest jump.
Contents
What does energy label G mean?
Label G means the home needs a lot of energy per square metre. Typically there is no insulation in roof, walls or floor, often with single glazing and an older gas boiler.
The label says nothing about the quality or the charm of the house. Pre-war homes with thick walls and high ceilings almost always score low while being pleasant to live in.
Which homes usually have label G?
Pre-war terraced houses, older detached homes in rural areas, and properties that stayed in the same family for a long time without major renovation. Monuments often land on G too, because many measures are not permitted there. Read more about energy labels for monuments.
The first step from G
At label G you do not need to do everything at once. One well-chosen measure often moves the label two steps: roof insulation gives by far the most gain per euro, then cavity wall insulation where the home has a cavity, then the floor.
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 G compares to the other classes? View the overview of all energy labels from A to G.
Label G in numbers
| Position on the scale | Scale from A++++ to G; G stands for the lowest class |
| Typical for | Uninsulated, often pre-war homes |
| 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 G?
Since 1 January 2021 the NTA 8800 calculation method decides the label. A home gets energy label G when its calculated primary fossil energy use is more than 380 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. Above 380 kWh it is always label G.
There is no list of mandatory measures per letter; the combination counts. In practice a home with label G often has:
- no insulation in roof, walls or floor
- single glazing
- an old boiler or individual gas heaters
- pre-war homes that were never upgraded
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 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 F | 335.01 to 380 kWh |
| Label G | more than 380 kWh |
Label F starts as soon as the energy use drops below 380 kWh. At label G almost any insulation measure already moves the letter; the order is on the page improving your energy label.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell a home with label G?
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 G?
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. The class only changes when an assessor registers a new label after a change to the home.
Sources
The rules and definitions on this page come from the official sources below. Last checked on 24 September 2026.
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