European Legislation for Building Automation and Control Systems
Reading Time
Date
7 minutes
15. September 2025
From January 1, 2026, new legal obligations relating to energy management will come into force for many building owners. Buildings with an Building Automation and Control System (BACS) can monitor and control the performance and energy consumption of technical systems. By networking the systems, processes are automated, optimized, and made more user-friendly. This leads to significant cost savings and sustainable energy consumption.
EPBD III: The Energy Legislation That Matters Now
From January 1, 2026, buildings with heating or cooling systems with a rated output of 290 kW or more must have a BACS (building automation and control system).
This system:
- Monitors and controls technical installations.
- Replaces the obligation to inspect heating and air conditioning systems.
- Supports building owners in complying with EPBD III legislation.
EPBD IV: Energy Legislation for a Zero-Emission Future
EPBD IV builds on EPBD III, but sets stricter and more ambitious requirements for buildings in terms of climate neutrality. The key features of EPBD IV are:
- Zero-emission buildings from 2030: New and renovated buildings must meet very strict energy and emission standards aimed at achieving net zero CO₂ emissions.
- Mandatory integration of renewable energies: Buildings must be self-sufficient or use renewable energies as far as possible, for example through photovoltaic (PV) systems, heat pumps, and battery storage.
- Increased focus on charging infrastructure: Legislation increasingly requires charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in both new and existing buildings.
- Comprehensive automation requirements: The role of building automation and control is growing, with systems such as BACS being essential to ensure energy efficiency and user-friendliness.
For building owners, this means that by 2030, they will need to make their buildings fundamentally more sustainable and equip them with smart systems that not only save energy but also actively contribute to reducing emissions. For installers, EPBD IV means that they will need to implement innovative, flexible, and scalable solutions.
Examples of Buildings and Consumption Under BACS Obligations
BACS requirements from January 1, 2026 – From 290 kW
|
Building type |
Power / Consumption |
Examples |
|
Supermarket (1,500 – 2,000 m²) |
250 – 350 kW |
Cooling systems, cash registers, lighting, HVAC |
|
Sports hall (2,000 – 3,000 m²) |
Up tp 300 kW |
Underfloor heating, heat pumps, lighting |
|
Primary school (3.000 – 5.000 m²) |
200 – 350 kW |
Kitchen, IT rooms, heating/cooling |
|
Office (4.000 – 6.000 m²) |
250 – 300 kW |
Elevator, air conditioning, computers, lighting |
SPAR Supermarkets
The Loxone solution is currently in use in dozens of SPAR supermarkets, and the chain will rely entirely on Loxone to automate its stores in the future. For example, energy consumption is recorded, there is intelligent zone control for room heating, heat generation is regulated, as are the ventilation and air conditioning systems. These are just a few of the integrated applications.
BACS requirements from January 1, 2030 – From 70 kW
|
Building type |
Power / Consumption |
Examples |
|
Catering business or restaurant (300-400 m²) |
50 – 100 kW |
Electric kitchen, refrigeration, HVAC |
|
Small office (600 – 1.000 m²) |
44 – 70 kW |
Servers, lighting, air conditioning |
|
Community center or district building (800–1.200 m²) |
60 – 70 kW |
Conference center, lighting, coffee corner |
Buildings account for 44% of global energy consumption.
About half of it is wasted!
With Loxone, savings of at least 30% can be achieved in almost any building.
BACS: The Smart Solution for Buildings of the Future
BACS offers building owners, installers, and users a wide range of benefits:
- Energy savings and lower costs thanks to optimized energy management.
- Improved comfort through automatic adjustments in temperature and air quality.
- Integrating systems for optimal collaboration and performance.
- Longer lifespan of installations through efficient energy use and maintenance.
Practical Tips for Implementing BACS
Installers can easily integrate systems to help buildings meet the requirements of EPBD III and IV. This expands the possibilities for offering smart, future-proof solutions.
Important tips:
- Evaluate existing systems: analyze current installations and determine areas for improvement.
- Choose the right sensors and actuators: for temperature, air quality, presence and sunlight.
- Use open protocols: BACnet, Modbus and MQTT.
- Implement smart thermostats and zoned climate control: precise temperature control per zone.
- Automate lighting and blinds: based on time, sunlight, and presence.
- Monitor energy consumption via app/web: real-time insight and management.
- Integrate sustainable energy sources: PV systems, EV charging stations, battery storage, and heat pumps.
- Choose scalable solutions: for future-proof expansions.
- Provide maintenance and support: for continuous optimal operation.
Investing in a BACS is more than just complying with legal requirements; it makes buildings smarter, more efficient, and future-proof. Building owners reduce their energy costs and improve comfort. Installers can add value as consultants with sustainable, integrated solutions. Loxone technology makes complex systems simple and scalable. BACS form the basis for the smart building of the future.
What Can Loxone Do?
Loxone offers technologies that simplify and optimize BACS integration:
- Zone climate control for energy efficiency per room or zone.
- Presence detection for smart adjustments of climate and lighting.
- Automation of sun blinds and lighting based on environmental factors.
- Support for open protocols such as BACnet, Modbus and MQTT.
- Energy management and control of PV, electric vehicles, battery storage and heat pumps.
- Central control via app/web for users and installers.
Read also how Loxone can help you with energy management and automation.
Long-Term Benefits of BACS
- Cost savings through more efficient energy consumption.
- More comfort through automated indoor climate.
- Sustainability in line with EU climate goals.
- Preparing for EPBD IV and future energy legislation.
Loxone Solutions for BACS Integration
With the Loxone Miniserver, you can easily monitor and control energy consumption. Our technologies make buildings sustainable and future-proof and are fully compliant with legal requirements.
Loxone offers innovative, user-friendly solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. The system is flexible in its communication with various devices and systems and is ideal for non-residential buildings. It also simplifies administration and maintenance processes, keeping you well informed about optimization opportunities.
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