BENG: nearly energy-neutral buildings explained
BENG stands for Bijna EnergieNeutrale Gebouwen — nearly energy-neutral buildings. These are the energy requirements that new build in the Netherlands must meet since 1 January 2021. Important to know straight away: BENG does not apply to existing homes. If you own an existing house and you are selling or renting it out, you do not need a BENG calculation but an energy label.
The three BENG indicators
BENG is not a single figure but three separate requirements. A new-build home must meet all three — so you cannot simply compensate a poor envelope with lots of solar panels.
| Indicator | What it measures | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| BENG 1 | The energy demand (also called the heat demand): how much energy the building needs for heating and cooling. It is about the envelope: insulation, glazing, airtightness and compactness. | kWh/m² per year |
| BENG 2 | The primary fossil energy use: how much fossil energy is actually needed, after deducting what you generate renewably yourself. | kWh/m² per year |
| BENG 3 | The share of renewable energy: what proportion of the energy comes from renewable sources such as sun or ambient heat. | % |
For residential new build the requirements are broadly an energy demand of at most around 55 kWh/m² per year, a primary fossil energy use of at most around 30 kWh/m² per year and at least around 50% renewable energy. The exact thresholds differ per building type and depend among other things on the compactness of the building; apartments, for example, have different requirements from ground-level houses.
Also a requirement: alongside the three indicators, residential construction must meet the TOjuli indicator, which limits the risk of overheating in summer. Insulating well without considering sun shading can make a home uncomfortably hot in July.
BENG or energy label: what is the difference?
| BENG | Energy label | |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | New build | Existing buildings (and new build on completion) |
| When | Beforehand, at the permit application | Afterwards, following an inspection |
| Outcome | Complies / does not comply with three requirements | A class from A++++ to G |
| Calculation method | NTA 8800 — the same for both | |
In short: BENG is a requirement beforehand (does the design comply?), the energy label is an outcome afterwards (how efficient is this building?). They do share the same calculation engine: NTA 8800. As a result, BENG 2 is exactly the figure that also determines your label class.
What did BENG replace?
Before 2021, new build was assessed with the EPC (Energy Performance Coefficient): a single figure without a unit. BENG replaced it with three separate indicators, so you can see separately whether the envelope is good (BENG 1), whether use is low (BENG 2) and whether enough is generated renewably (BENG 3). BENG stems from European agreements on nearly energy-neutral buildings.
And a new-build home: does it get a label?
Yes. On completion, an energy label is drawn up for new build too and registered in EP-online. Because of the strict BENG requirements that label is almost always high — usually in the A classes. If you sell that home later, the label simply remains valid for ten years.
Frequently asked questions
What does BENG mean?
BENG stands for Bijna EnergieNeutrale Gebouwen, or nearly energy-neutral buildings. These are the energy requirements that new build in the Netherlands must meet since 1 January 2021. BENG replaced the old EPC system and stems from European agreements on energy-efficient buildings.
What are BENG 1, 2 and 3?
They are three separate indicators. BENG 1 is the energy demand of the building in kWh per square metre per year and reflects the envelope: insulation, glazing and compactness. BENG 2 is the primary fossil energy use in kWh per square metre per year. BENG 3 is the share of renewable energy as a percentage. A new-build home must meet all three.
Does BENG apply to my existing home?
No. BENG applies only to new build and to some major renovations that require a planning permit. If you have an existing home and you are selling or renting it out, you do not need a BENG calculation but an energy label.
What is the difference between BENG and the energy label?
BENG is a requirement beforehand: for new build the calculation must show that the design complies, otherwise you do not get a permit. The energy label is an outcome afterwards: it shows how energy-efficient an existing building is, expressed in a class from A++++ to G. Both are calculated with the same method though, NTA 8800.
Does a new-build home also get an energy label?
Yes. On completion of a new-build home an energy label is also drawn up and registered in EP-online. Because of the strict BENG requirements that label is almost always high, usually in the A classes.
More in the knowledge base
- NTA 8800: the calculation method behind the label
- Primary fossil energy use: the core value
- Energy label A to G: what do the label classes mean?
- EP-online: the official register of energy labels
- Improving your energy label: which measures pay off?
Need an energy label for your existing home?
BENG is for new build — if you have an existing home, the energy label is what you need. At Hollands Duurzaam you pay from €220 for an official energy label including free improvement advice, a fixed all-in price with no travel costs in our service area. BRL 9500-MWA-W certified, member of AVEPA, registered directly in EP-online.