TIMEPAC Glossary

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process supported by various tools, technologies and contracts involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. Building information models (BIMs) are computer files (often but not always in proprietary formats and containing proprietary data) which can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making regarding a built asset.

Building Renovation Passport (BRP) consists of a roadmap indicating a sequence of renovation steps over several years instead in one go, with the objective to transform the building into a zero-emission building by 2050. It shall indicate the benefits in terms of energy savings, cost savings, greenhouse emission reductions as well as broader benefits (on health, comfort, resilience to climate change).

Building Automation And Control Systems (BACS) refers to the products that monitor and automatically adjust the energy using technologies in our homes and buildings to deliver a comfortable environment while optimising the energy use.

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the European Union's main legislative instrument aiming to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the European Union. It was inspired by the Kyoto Protocol which commits the EU and all its parties by setting binding emission reduction targets.

In 2021, the European Commission proposed to review the directive, with a view of introducing more exigent energy efficiency minimum standards for new and existing buildings, improved availability of energy performance certificates by means of public online databases, and to introduce financial mechanisms to incentivize banks to provide loans for energy efficient renovations. The  revised directive will help reach the building and renovation goals set out in the European Green Deal.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a rating scheme to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings or devices. Future EPCs will be connected to new procedures and indicators for evaluating the overall performance of buildings, going beyond the mere energy assessment.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort. It may also include the functional aspects of space such as whether the layout provides easy access to tools and people when needed and whether there is sufficient space for occupants. Building managers and operators can increase the satisfaction of building occupants by considering all of the aspects of IEQ rather than narrowly focusing on temperature or air quality alone.

Level(s) provides a common language for assessing and reporting on the sustainability performance of buildings. It is a simple entry point for applying circular economy principles in our built environment. Level(s) offers an extensively tested system for measuring and supporting improvements, from design to end of life. It can be applied to residential buildings or offices.

Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) is a new indicator that assess a building’s ability to adapt to advanced technologies in terms of its performance capacity and energy flexibility. The smart readiness indicator rating depends on a building's capacity to accommodate smart-ready services and on how a building interacts with its occupants, co-operates with connected energy grids and ability to operate more efficiently.

Renovation Wave strategy is an EU strategy to boost renovation of buildings. The initiative builds on the national long-term building renovation strategy, other aspects of the Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings, and building-related aspects of each EU country’s National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Zero emissions buildings (ZEB) are defined as a buildings with a very high energy performance, with the very low amount of energy still required fully covered by energy from renewable sources and without on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels.