Referentiebelasting

Referentiebelasting, often translated as reference load or benchmark load, is a concept primarily used in the context of energy consumption and building performance. It serves as a standardized measure to compare the energy efficiency of different buildings or to assess the potential energy savings from renovations or new construction. Essentially, it represents a hypothetical or calculated energy consumption for a building under specific, agreed-upon conditions.

The calculation of referentiebelasting typically takes into account various factors such as the building's size, its intended use (e.g., residential, office), its location, and a set of standard climate data for that region. It aims to isolate the energy consumption related to the building's fabric and systems from the energy use that depends on the occupants' behavior or the specific equipment installed. This allows for a fair comparison, as it removes the variability introduced by how a building is used.

In practice, referentiebelasting is often used to determine energy performance labels or certificates for buildings. By comparing a building's actual measured energy consumption to its referentiebelasting, one can ascertain whether it is performing better or worse than a benchmark. This information is valuable for policymakers, building owners, and tenants in understanding energy performance and identifying areas for improvement. It plays a role in setting energy efficiency targets and encouraging sustainable building practices.