Schools and educational institutions across Europe are facing increasing pressure to reduce energy consumption and improve building efficiency. A significant portion of energy is often wasted heating unoccupied classrooms, a problem that new regulations are aiming to address. A recent webinar, “Stop stoking for empty classrooms,” highlighted solutions and the importance of complying with upcoming building automation and control system (BACS) requirements stemming from the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The webinar, held on February 13, 2026, focused on how institutions can leverage smart technology to minimize energy waste and meet the evolving standards set by the EPBD. According to data presented, up to 25% of heat energy can be lost by unnecessarily warming empty classrooms – a substantial figure for already strained school budgets. The new regulations, including the BACS requirements, are designed to drive greater insight and control over energy use, air quality, and temperature regulation within these buildings.
The core of the issue, and the solution presented, revolves around implementing building automation and control systems. These systems, often referred to as BACS, allow for dynamic adjustments to heating and cooling based on occupancy. The EPBD IV, as noted by the European Environmental & Energy Foundation (EEF), mandates the installation of these systems in many non-residential buildings, including schools, offices, and factories, starting January 1, 2026. More information on the EPBD IV and BACS requirements can be found on the EEF website.
Understanding the EPBD and BACS Requirements
The EPBD, initially established as EPBD III and now updated to EPBD IV, aims to improve the energy performance of buildings across the European Union. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) provides details on the earlier EPBD III regulations, which included system requirements for technical building systems like heating, ventilation, and lighting. The updated EPBD IV expands on these requirements, placing a greater emphasis on automation and control.
The BACS requirements specifically focus on providing organizations with the tools to monitor and manage energy consumption more effectively. This includes features like self-regulating equipment for temperature control, infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, and regular inspections of heating and air conditioning systems. The Flemish Energy and Climate Agency (VEKA) is currently translating the updated EPBD directives into Flemish regulations, demonstrating the widespread implementation of these changes. VEKA’s work on BACS implementation can be found here.
Practical Solutions for Energy Savings
The webinar showcased a practical solution combining the Airhub system from Let Things Talk (LTT) with Danfoss Ally™ radiator controls. This combination provides real-time insights into energy flows and enables automatic shut-off of heating in unoccupied classrooms. The approach avoids the necessitate for complex renovations or significant upfront costs, making it an attractive option for schools operating with limited budgets.
The webinar emphasized that achieving compliance with the EPBD and realizing energy savings doesn’t necessarily require extensive building overhauls. Instead, focusing on smart, easily implemented technologies can deliver immediate results.
Interested parties can access the webinar recording here. Please note that registration is required, and a confirmation email with a link to the video will be sent upon completion of the registration process.
As schools and institutions prepare for the January 2026 deadline for EPBD IV compliance, proactive steps towards implementing BACS and exploring smart energy management solutions will be crucial. The focus will likely shift towards demonstrating verifiable energy savings and ensuring transparent reporting of building performance data.
What are your thoughts on the new EPBD regulations? Share your comments below and let us know how your institution is preparing for these changes.
