“Energy cert A” is the highest band in the Spanish energy rating scale. On a new build in 2026 it should be the default, but it is not. Plenty of current Manilva projects still come out at B or C because the developer cut corners on glazing, heat pumps, or insulation. Nylva Homes is built to the full A standard with aerothermal heating, double low-emissivity glazing and EV charging infrastructure in the car park. This page explains what that actually means for your annual running cost, and what the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires in the background.
What is the Spanish energy certificate scale?
The Spanish Certificado de Eficiencia Energética runs from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It has been mandatory on every sale and long-term rental since 2013 under Real Decreto 235/2013, which implements the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The letter you see on the certificate is based on the building’s annual kWh per m² of primary energy consumption and the associated CO2 emissions. A means the building is designed to run on very little energy; G means it leaks like a sieve.
What counts as “A” in practice?
Roughly, an A-rated new build in Andalucía consumes less than 30 to 40 kWh per m² per year of primary energy for heating, cooling and hot water combined. A typical 1990s Costa del Sol apartment with electric heaters and single glazing lands around 180 to 220 kWh per m² per year, which is a D or E rating. The gap is five to seven times more energy consumed on the old flat for the same indoor comfort.
At 100 m² of floor area, the difference is on the order of €600 to €1,200 per year in running costs between an A and a D rated flat, depending on how you use heating and cooling and what electricity prices do. Over 15 years of ownership you are looking at €10,000 to €18,000 of real money.
What makes Nylva Homes reach cert A?
- Aerothermal heat pump. One system handles heating, cooling and domestic hot water. Coefficient of performance around 4, meaning for every kWh of electricity it delivers roughly 4 kWh of useful heat or cool.
- Double low-emissivity glazing. Two panes of glass with a microscopic metallic coating that reflects infrared heat back. Keeps the flat warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Thermal insulation. Exterior walls, roof and terrace floors insulated to modern CTE (Código Técnico de la Edificación) standards, which are stricter than what the 1990s building boom used.
- Solar gain management. SW orientation with recessed terraces means winter sun enters and warms the interior while summer midday sun is partially shaded by the terrace above.
- EV charging pre-install. Every parking space has the ducting and circuit capacity for a home EV charger. Not an A cert requirement but it reflects the same future-proofing mindset.
Does A rating make a difference on resale value?
Yes, and increasingly so. EU rules are tightening across the decade on minimum energy performance for sold and rented property. Flats that still sit at E, F or G face progressively bigger “renovation debt” discounts on resale. An A-rated new build locks in the top of that scale now and stays there for the foreseeable future. We are not promising an appreciation number, just noting that the floor of the resale market is rising faster for efficient stock than for inefficient stock.
How does A rating feel to live with?
Three practical things residents notice:
- Temperature stability. The flat stays at similar temperatures overnight and through the day because the insulation holds the thermal mass rather than bleeding it out.
- Lower running cost. Aerothermal plus good insulation means you leave the system on a low setting rather than running big on-off cycles.
- Quieter interior. Double glazing with thicker outer pane also damps road and wind noise from the terrace side.
None of it is magic. It is just what a 2026 build is supposed to deliver. The reason this page exists is that not every Manilva project actually delivers it, and you should know the difference before signing.
Related reading
- New build apartments in Manilva: what you get at Nylva
- 2 and 3 bed layouts at Nylva
- New build warranties in Spain: the 1/3/10 LOE guarantees
Frequently Asked Questions
Which new builds in Manilva have energy certificate A?
Nylva Homes is built to energy cert A across all 45 units. Some other current Manilva projects land at B or C because they cut corners on glazing or heat pumps. A is the highest rating in the Spanish system and the default target for well-built 2026 new builds.
What is the difference between cert A and cert B in Spain?
Cert A buildings typically consume under 40 kWh per m² per year of primary energy; cert B is 40 to 70. On a 100 m² apartment that is a meaningful running cost difference over time, especially if you use heating and cooling year-round. A also retains its rating floor longer as EU energy rules tighten.
How much can energy cert A save on bills?
On a 100 m² apartment, roughly €600 to €1,200 per year compared to a 1990s cert D or E Costa del Sol flat, depending on how you use the system and on electricity prices. Over 15 years that is typically €10,000 to €18,000 of real saving.
What is aerothermal heating and cooling?
It is a heat pump that extracts heat from the outside air (even in winter) to heat the flat and domestic hot water, and reverses in summer to cool the interior. One system, one electrical connection. Coefficient of performance around 4, meaning 1 kWh of electricity delivers around 4 kWh of useful heat or cool.
Is aerothermal expensive to run?
Much cheaper than direct electric heaters and cheaper per useful kWh than gas. The math is straightforward: you pay for 1 kWh of electricity and get 4 kWh of heating. Running cost on a typical Nylva 2 bed should land well below €100 per month on average across the year.
Does cert A include domestic hot water?
Yes. The aerothermal system on Nylva handles heating, cooling and domestic hot water together. The energy cert measurement covers all three. Solar thermal or photovoltaic can reduce it further; the baseline A rating at Nylva is achieved on aerothermal plus building envelope alone.
What does the EU EPBD require for new builds?
The 2018 recast (Directive 2018/844) requires member states to ensure that all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings and sets minimum performance standards. Spain implements this through Real Decreto 235/2013 and the Código Técnico de la Edificación (CTE). A cert is the top band and aligns with those targets.
Does energy cert A affect resale value?
Yes, increasingly. EU and Spanish rules on minimum energy performance for sold and rented property tighten across the decade. A-rated stock sits above the thresholds; lower-rated stock faces renovation debt to reach those thresholds. An A cert new build locks in the top of the scale for the foreseeable future.
Is the glazing at Nylva double or triple glazed?
Double with a low-emissivity coating, which is the standard spec for Andalusian cert A new builds. Triple glazing becomes worthwhile in colder climates; in southern Spain the marginal benefit is small versus the cost. The glazing used at Nylva is tuned for solar gain control and noise reduction.
Are there solar panels on the building?
Yes, there is photovoltaic generation for communal areas, which reduces the communal energy bill and supports the A rating. Whether individual roof space is available for private expansion depends on the unit and floor; ask Marcelo for the detail at viewing.
How is the EV charging pre-install set up?
Every parking space in the underground car park has the ducting and circuit capacity for a home EV charger. You install the actual wall box when you take delivery or later. The pre-install avoids retrofit costs and is part of the broader future-proofing approach.
Does the cert A cover all 45 units equally?
Yes. The certificate is issued for the whole development once construction completes and ground-truth tests confirm the design. Every unit at Nylva is designed to the same A standard. Individual unit variation is minimal and falls within the A band.
What about noise insulation?
Double glazing with a thicker outer pane provides good acoustic damping. Party walls between units are built to the CTE acoustic standards, which are stricter than the 1990s stock. Most buyers report the flats feel quieter than the resale they were previously considering.