Energy calculation for building permit and start notice
An energy calculation shows how much energy a house is expected to use in a normal year, and whether it meets Boverket's energy efficiency requirements. The municipality normally requires an energy calculation for new builds before the start notice, often as early as the technical consultation. Arkigroup AB produces energy calculations and U-value calculations for detached houses, extensions, apartment buildings and commercial premises throughout Sweden, in line with the new energy rules that apply from 1 October 2026.
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New energy rules from 1 October 2026
Boverket's new regulations on energy efficiency and energy performance certificates came into force on 1 October 2026. This is what you most need to know if you are planning to build:
- An energy performance figure replaces the primary energy number. The energy requirement is expressed as a new energy performance figure and is supplemented by a separate requirement for electrical power.
- New buildings must be nearly zero-energy buildings. The limit values depend on the building type and location, and fossil fuels may not be burned in the building to meet its energy needs.
- Transitional rules. The previous rules may be chosen for projects where the building permit application or notification is submitted before 1 October 2027. The rules must then be followed in full, and old and new may not be mixed.
Sources: Boverket, new energy efficiency requirements, Byggutbildarna and Energi & Miljö.
What does an energy calculation show?
The energy calculation, also known as an energy balance calculation, works out the house's energy demand based on how it is built and how it is heated and ventilated.
The building envelope
How much heat is lost through walls, roof, floors, windows and doors, expressed as U-values.
Heating and ventilation
Which heating system the house has and whether the ventilation recovers heat, for example with balanced ventilation and heat recovery (FTX).
Energy performance
The house's energy performance figure compared with the requirement for your particular building type and location.
Measures
What needs to be improved if the house does not meet the requirement, and which improvements are worthwhile.
When is an energy calculation needed?
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New house
Normally required before the start notice to show that the house meets the energy requirements.
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Extension
It is often enough to show that the walls, roof, floors and windows have sufficiently low U-values. The municipality decides what is needed.
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Secondary dwellings and smaller houses
The requirements depend on the size and use of the house, and we help you work out what applies.
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Apartment buildings and commercial premises
More extensive calculations with requirements that vary by type of business.
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Conversion
When a house is converted, its energy performance must not get worse, and there are often opportunities to improve it.
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Compare options
For example windows, insulation or heating systems, before you decide.
What we need from you
- Floor plans, elevation drawings and sections
- Property designation and location
- Information about the heating system, for example a heat pump or district heating
- Information about the ventilation system
- U-values for walls, roof and floors, or structural drawings
- U-values for windows and doors
If anything is missing, we help you put it together. If Arkigroup designs the house, we already have most of it. Read more about structural drawings and HVAC drawings.
How it works
Documents and quote
You send the drawings and get a reply within one working day.
Calculation
We calculate the house's energy performance and U-values according to the rules that apply to your project.
Measures if needed
If the house does not meet the requirement, we suggest what needs to change, for example thicker insulation, better windows or a different ventilation system.
Finished report
You get a report that can be submitted to the municipality ahead of the technical consultation and start notice.
For property owners and businesses
Energy calculations for commercial premises and apartment buildings
For property owners and developers, the energy calculation is both a regulatory requirement and a basis for decisions. We carry out calculations for new builds, conversions and change of use, compare technical options and show how the choices affect energy performance and operating costs. Read more about construction cost estimates and premises for businesses.
What our energy calculation includes
An energy calculation is more than a figure for the municipality. It shows whether the house works as designed, and what needs to change if it does not.
- Checked against the drawings: we go through the drawings and structure ourselves, rather than relying on information entered in a form.
- U-values for your particular house: walls, roof, foundation, windows and thermal bridges are calculated from the actual construction.
- Suggested measures: if the house does not meet the requirements, you get concrete suggestions, and because we also do the design, we can change the drawing straight away.
- Help with additional information: if the municipality asks for additional information, we help you respond.
- The right regulations: we calculate according to the rules that apply to your project, both the new ones from 1 October 2026 and the previous ones during the transition period.
Online energy calculation or one from Arkigroup?
Online energy calculation
- Based on information you enter yourself
- Suits simple houses where all U-values and systems are already known
- If the house does not meet the requirements, you get a result but no solution
Energy calculation from Arkigroup
- Based on drawings and construction details that we review
- Suits new builds, extensions, apartment buildings and commercial premises
- If the house does not meet the requirements, you get suggested measures and a revised drawing
Why clients choose Arkigroup for energy calculations
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Updated to the new rules
We calculate according to Boverket's rules that apply from 1 October 2026, and know when the previous rules may still be used.
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Architect and energy calculation in the same team
If the house does not meet the requirements, we can change the drawing straight away, instead of you going back and forth between different consultants. Arkigroup AB was founded in 2018 by the architect Ali Alshammari, who has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry.
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Fast and throughout Sweden
Most of the work is done digitally, and you get a reply within one working day.
Frequently asked questions about energy calculations
What is an energy calculation?
A calculation of how much energy a building is expected to use in a normal year, based on the building envelope, heating system and ventilation. It shows whether the building meets Boverket's energy efficiency requirements.
Is an energy calculation required for a building permit?
For new houses the municipality normally requires an energy calculation before the start notice, often at the technical consultation. Some municipalities want to see it as early as the building permit application, so check with your municipality.
Do I need an energy calculation for an extension?
It is often enough to show that the new parts of the building have sufficiently low U-values. For larger extensions the municipality may ask for a full calculation.
What is a U-value?
The U-value shows how much heat passes through a part of the building, for example a wall or a window. The lower the U-value, the better the element insulates.
What is the energy performance figure?
The new measure of a building's energy performance under Boverket's rules from 1 October 2026. It replaces the primary energy number and is expressed in kilowatt hours per square metre per year.
Do the old rules still apply?
The previous rules may be chosen for projects where the building permit application or notification is submitted before 1 October 2027. The old rules must then be followed in full.
Can I do the energy calculation myself?
There are online tools for simpler houses. The risk is that the information about U-values, ventilation or the heating system ends up wrong, and that the municipality asks for additional information. We check that the calculation matches the drawings and the rules that apply to your project.
What is the difference between an energy calculation and an energy performance certificate?
The energy calculation is done before construction and shows that the house will meet the requirements. The energy performance certificate is produced once the building is in use and shows its energy performance, for example when it is sold.
How much does an energy calculation cost?
The price depends on the size of the building and how complex it is. Tell us about your project and you will get a reply within one working day and a free quote as soon as we have the documents.
Request a quote for an energy calculation
Send the drawings and you will get a reply within one working day and a free quote as soon as we have the documents.
Thank you, your request has been sent
We will review it and reply within one working day, with a free quote as soon as we have the information we need. If it is urgent, feel free to call 013-15 10 00.
How it works
- NowYou send your request
Three fields are enough. If you have drawings, photos or a sketch, you can email them to us afterwards.
- 1 dayYou get a reply
We review the information and get back to you within one working day.
- ThenYou receive a quote
Free of charge, as soon as we have the information we need. We only start once you have approved it.
“Good results, quick response and transparent pricing.”
Prefer to talk directly? Call 013-15 10 00 or email info@arkigroup.se.