20.500.12556/DiRROS-29203 Energy efficiency in buildings EPC and SRI as enablers of future renovations Energy efficiency in buildings: EPC and SRI as enablers of future renovations In line with European climate-neutrality goals, buildings are increasingly understood not as static, isolated structures, but as active components of a wider built environment that also includes energy and transport infrastructure. This shift highlights the need for traditional, static Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to evolve into more dynamic and holistic instruments. Future EPCs are expected to assess not only the building envelope and technical systems, but also the performance of key subsystems such as automation and control technologies, and their interaction with the external environment. In parallel, the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) has emerged as a complementary tool designed to evaluate a building’s ability to respond to occupant needs, improve energy efficiency, and support grid stability through demand response signals. However, despite their relevance, EPCs and SRI are not currently reaching their full potential, revealing an important research and policy gap. This paper provides an objective analysis of EPC and SRI, examining their respective strengths, weaknesses, and possible roles in shaping future renovation programmes through a case study of Slovenia. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to explore the complex dimensions of EPC and SRI implementation and impact. To identify key challenges and opportunities, a problem tree is developed, highlighting barriers such as inconsistent implementation, performance gaps, and limited stakeholder engagement. Based on these findings, an objective tree is proposed, outlining policy interventions and measures to improve the effectiveness, usability, and integration of EPC and SRI in future building renovation strategies. energy performance certificate smart readiness indicator energy efficiency energetska izkaznica energetska učinkovitost true false true Elsevier Nizozemska Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik © 2026 The Authors. Neznano 2026-04-24 11:16:05 2026-04-24 11:16:05 2026-04-25 03:53:40 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2026 0 0 Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Soavtor iz Slovenije: Goran Matešić; Opis vira z dne 22. 4. 2025; str. 1-12 Vol. 361, [article no.] 117502 Jun. 2026 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 2026-02-14 2026-04-16 2026-04-17 621.31 1872-6178 10.1016/j.enbuild.2026.117502 276198659 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778826005621?via%3Dihub 1 3a17254d-3fbe-11f1-ad5f-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=43671 RAZ_Sucic_Boris_2026.pdf RAZ_Sucic_Boris_2026.pdf 1 27EF61163069D70F021C037C3B4E0831 98ab89a135c4d41a897425912e8739b82b666a1964e87f2d1178dd845d1e04f1 76585799-3fbe-11f1-ad5f-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=43673 Institut Jožef Stefan 0 0 0