Understanding your home's energy performance is more important than ever, especially in a city like Umeå. An energy declaration for your apartment in Umeå in 2026 provides insight into how energy-efficient your home is and what potential costs may be associated with it.

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what an energy declaration entails, why it's relevant for you as a tenant, how you can obtain one, and what costs you can expect.

What is an Energy Declaration and Why is it Important?

An energy declaration is a document that describes the energy performance of a building or an apartment. It shows how much energy is required for the operation of the building, such as heating, ventilation, hot water, and lighting. The result is presented as an energy class, similar to what you see on appliances, where A is the best and G is the worst.

For you as a tenant in Umeå, the energy declaration is a valuable source of information. It indicates how energy-efficient your home is, which can directly impact your living costs. A dwelling with low energy performance may mean higher heating costs, while a dwelling with high performance can lead to lower operating costs. Furthermore, energy-efficient homes contribute to reduced environmental impact, which is an important aspect for many in today's society.

According to Boverket, energy declarations are an important tool for increasing awareness of energy use in buildings and for driving energy efficiency improvements.

Step 1: Who Performs the Energy Declaration?

Only certified energy experts are allowed to perform energy declarations. These experts are approved by Boverket and possess the necessary competence to assess a building's energy performance. You can find lists of certified energy experts on Boverket's website or by contacting local building inspectors in Umeå.

Step 2: How Do I Get an Energy Declaration for My Apartment?

As a tenant, you have the right to access an energy declaration for your home. If you haven't already received it with your rental agreement, you should request it from your landlord or property owner. The property owner is obligated to have a valid energy declaration for the building and to present it to you upon request.

If the landlord cannot or will not provide the declaration, you may need to contact a certified energy expert yourself to have a new one issued, but this is usually unnecessary as it is the property owner's responsibility. However, it can be useful to know the process if you encounter problems.

Step 3: What is Included in an Energy Declaration?

An energy declaration includes several important parts:

Energy Performance: This section states the energy use of the building or apartment per square meter per year, expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh/m² per year). This is the central figure that determines the energy class.
Energy Class: The building is assigned an energy class from A to G based on its energy performance. A represents the lowest energy use and G the highest.
Energy Use for Different Purposes: The declaration may specify energy use for heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, and building operations.
Recommendations for Energy Efficiency: Often, the declaration includes suggestions for measures that can be taken to improve the building's or apartment's energy performance. This can range from better insulation and tighter windows to installing more efficient heating systems.

Step 4: What Does an Energy Declaration Cost in Umeå?

The cost of an energy declaration can vary depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the building, and the energy expert you hire. For a house or a small property, the cost might range between 3,000 and 7,000 SEK. For a rental property with many apartments, the cost is naturally higher, as it pertains to the entire building. As a tenant, you typically do not need to pay for the energy declaration, as it is the property owner's responsibility to ensure one exists.

However, if you as an individual were to want an energy declaration for a condominium or your own house, you might have to bear the cost yourself. Prices can vary, so it's always a good idea to request quotes from several certified energy experts to compare. Some discussions on forums like Flashback can give an indication of what others have paid, but it's important to remember that prices can differ.

Step 5: How Does the Energy Class Affect My Rent?

While the energy class doesn't directly dictate your rent, it has an indirect impact. A dwelling with a good energy class (low energy use) often means lower operating costs for the property owner, especially regarding heating and electricity. These savings can, over time, lead to more stable or even lower rent increases compared to a dwelling with poor energy performance. Property owners who invest in energy efficiency may also argue that the property is more attractive, thus justifying a certain rent level. However, it's important to remember that rent in Sweden is primarily regulated through negotiations between the Tenants' Association (Hyresgästföreningen) and property owners, where factors like location, standard, and services carry significant weight.

Step 6: What Do People Say on Forums About Energy Declarations?

Discussions about energy declarations on forums like Flashback and Familjeliv often show a mixed picture. Many tenants seek more information and transparency regarding the energy performance of their homes. There's a desire to more easily compare different apartments based on their energy class and thus expected operating costs. Some highlight that the energy declaration sometimes feels like a paper tiger without concrete impact on their daily lives or living costs. Others argue it's a necessity to drive the development towards more sustainable buildings. A recurring point is the difficulty tenants sometimes face in obtaining the declaration, despite it being the property owner's duty to provide it. There's also some skepticism about whether the recommended energy efficiency measures are actually implemented by property owners.

Step 7: What Does the Law Say About Energy Declarations?

Legislation concerning energy declarations is primarily regulated in the Planning and Building Act and Boverket's regulations. The Swedish Land Code, specifically Jordabalken (1970:994), does not directly address energy declarations but regulates property transfers and information to be provided upon sale, which can indirectly relate to a property's condition and operation. Boverket is responsible for supervision and issues regulations. Property owners are obliged to have energy declarations drawn up for most buildings that are taken into use and for existing buildings upon sale or rental. The declaration is valid for ten years. If a building lacks a valid energy declaration, the property owner may face orders or sanctions.

Step 8: The Future of Energy Declarations in Umeå

With increasing focus on climate change and sustainability, energy declarations will likely play an even greater role in the future. Umeå, like other cities, is actively working to reduce its environmental impact. Understanding and improving the energy performance of our homes is a central part of this effort. We can expect that energy performance requirements will become stricter, and that energy declarations will become an even more important tool for both property owners and tenants. Initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and facilitating the understanding of energy declarations, like this guide, are therefore of great importance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Declarations in Umeå

What is Energy Class A in an Energy Declaration?

Energy Class A is the highest energy class, meaning the building has very low energy consumption. This is achieved through high-quality insulation, efficient windows, modern heating systems, and good ventilation with heat recovery. An apartment with Energy Class A is thus very energy-efficient and has the potential for low operating costs.

How Often Does an Energy Declaration Need to Be Updated?

An energy declaration is normally valid for ten years from the date it was issued. After ten years, a new energy declaration must be drawn up if the building is still in use. Exceptions may apply to certain types of buildings, but for most residences, the ten-year rule applies.

Can I as a Tenant Influence My Energy Class?

As an individual tenant, you have limited ability to directly influence the official energy class of your apartment, as it is based on the building's overall construction and systems. However, you can do a lot to reduce your actual energy consumption through conscious choices in daily life. This includes turning off lights when leaving a room, avoiding unnecessary standby power, using appliances efficiently, and not unnecessarily airing out heat. By reducing your personal energy consumption, you contribute to lower total energy use and thus a better environmental profile for your home, even if it doesn't change the formal energy class.

Energy Declaration Umeå 2026: Your Complete Guide