EN 16798 is the European standard family for the energy performance of buildings - ventilation. It is the practical calculation tool for meeting the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Scope
It provides calculation methods for energy use in buildings, including thermal, internal, and HVAC loads, with dedicated modules for ventilation and air handling.
The heat-recovery link
Many national implementations of EN 16798 require mechanical ventilation systems above a defined airflow to include heat recovery with a minimum sensible effectiveness - commonly around 70-75%.
Key modules
| Module | Topic |
|---|---|
| EN 16798-1 | Indoor environmental input parameters |
| EN 16798-5 | Energy performance (ventilation) |
| EN 16798-7 | Building dynamics / airflow |
How to apply
When designing a non-residential building in Europe, confirm the local EPBD transposition. If your AHU exceeds the threshold airflow, you must demonstrate recovery effectiveness - which is where EN 308 testing feeds in.
Common pitfall
Treating recovery as optional. Once the ventilation rate is fixed by EN 16798-1, the recovery device is what keeps the heating/cooling energy within the EPBD budget.