Blog · October 15, 2026
What is the energy letter (A to G) on an Italian listing?
Ask the Scout · Episode 5
The short answer
EP05 · What is the energy letter (A to G) on an Italian listing? It is the energy class from the home's energy certificate, the APE (attestato di prestazione energetica). In Italy the scale runs from A4, the most efficient, down to G, the least efficient, and it shows how much energy the house needs for heating, cooling and hot water. By law, property ads must show the class, and the seller must give you the certificate.
In plain English
Under Legislative Decree 192/2005, art. 6, the seller must make the APE available when negotiations start and hand it over at the end, and a copy is attached to the deed of purchase. An APE is valid for up to ten years and must be updated after work that changes the energy class. General info: for your own case, check with your notary.
Ask the Scout #5 by Piedmont Scout #MoveToItaly #Piedmont #ItalyRealEstate
- Read the class
The letter is the energy class from the official energy certificate.
- Know the scale
A4 is the best, G is the worst.
- Ask for the certificate
The seller must give you the certificate, and a copy goes with the deed.
- The ad shows the energy class
- The seller gives you the energy certificate
- Treat the energy letter as just a sales label
Transcript
Buyer: This house is a G on the listing. That's just a sales label, right?
Scout: No. It's the energy class from the official energy certificate.
Buyer: Oh. So which letter is the best?
Scout: The scale runs from A4, the best, down to G, the worst.
Scout: It shows how much energy the house needs for heating, cooling and hot water.
Scout: By law, sale ads must show it, and the seller must give you the certificate.
Buyer: So I ask for the certificate before I buy!
Scout: Exactly. A copy goes with the deed. For your own case, check with your notary.
Made with AI: the characters are animated and the voices are AI-generated.
Sources
- Normattiva, Decreto Legislativo 19 agosto 2005, n. 192, art. 6 (Attestato di prestazione energetica)
- ENEA, Glossario: APE – Attestato di Prestazione Energetica
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. General info, not legal or tax advice. Check your own case with a notary or commercialista.
More from Ask the Scout
- Is the purchase tax on the price I pay? (episode 10)
- Can I pay for an Italian house in cash? (episode 8)
- What if I back out after paying the deposit? (episode 6)
Related guides
- Is it safe to buy Italian property online?
- Buying a second home in Piedmont: where to start
- How Piedmont Scout works
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