Thermal survey, energy performance certificate, energy audit: what is the difference?

The short answer

“Thermal survey”, “energy performance certificate”, “energy audit” and “electrical inspection” often end up in the same sentence, yet they answer different questions, rest on different legal bases and require different authorisations. The certificate, the audit and the inspections are tasks defined by law; a thermal survey is a client's own decision that looks for where the loss is and what it is estimated to cost.

None replaces another. A HőKép3D thermal survey is not an accredited or certified inspection, and it is not an energy performance certificate, a statutory energy audit, an energy-specialist (szakreferens) service, an electrical-safety or fire-safety inspection, or an expert opinion. This article summarises the legal background as general information; it is not legal advice and is based on the texts in force in October 2026. Check the in-force text in the National Legal Database before you decide.

Which question, which answer?

The thermal survey: what it is and is not

An engineering thermal survey combines thermal-imaging and supplementary (visual, sometimes drone) data, on-site measurements and model calculations. Its purpose is to locate, rank and estimate the cost impact of heat losses and thermal irregularities in a building, equipment or pipes. The forint values are estimates, published together with their assumptions; they are not commitments.

It is not the fulfilment of a statutory duty, and it is not suitable as evidence in official or court proceedings, insurance claims or lender submissions unless the parties expressly agree otherwise in writing. The method draws on the principles of standards such as ISO 6781 as a methodological reference, not a declaration of conformity.

Energy performance certificate

Certification of the energy characteristics of buildings is governed by Government Decree 176/2008 (VI. 30.). Under section 1 (3), a certificate is required, among other cases, for new buildings, for the sale or lease of an existing building or unit where no valid certificate exists, and for certain public buildings over 500 m². Section 1 (2) also contains exemptions, for instance for certain low-energy agricultural, logistics and industrial buildings; the conditions must always be checked in the text in force.

The certificate is based on the calculation method set out in the regulation and is issued by a certifier holding the authorisation required by law; the text of the decree does not prescribe thermal imaging for it. Section 6 (3) of the decree also states that the certificate neither proves nor replaces compliance with any other requirement.

Energy audit and energy specialist

The audit obligation under Act LVII of 2015 on energy efficiency (Ehat.) is no longer linked to company size but to consumption: an undertaking is obliged to have an audit if its average annual energy use over the previous three years exceeds 10 TJ (section 1, point 2c). The audit must be repeated every four years (section 22 (1)); an energy-management system certified to ISO 50001 gives an exemption (section 22 (2)).

A separate duty is the energy specialist (szakreferens). Under section 7/A of Government Decree 122/2015 (V. 26.), a szakreferens duty applies if the three-year average consumption exceeds 400,000 kWh of electricity, 100,000 m³ of natural gas or 3,400 GJ of heat; failing to comply can attract a fine of HUF 200,000–2,000,000. Auditors and energy specialists are listed in the register kept by MEKH, the Hungarian Energy and Public Utility Regulatory Authority.

For a sense of scale: in our model, the fault-free heating gas demand of the example warehouse (2,400 m², 16 °C, gas heating) is about 18,000 m³ per season. The threshold, however, applies to the three-year average of the whole undertaking's consumption, not to a single hall, so this is an order-of-magnitude comparison only, not a basis for a decision.

Electrical and fire-safety inspections

The periodic electrical safety inspection of electrical installations is regulated by NGM Decree 40/2017 (XII. 4.): depending on the type of installation it must be carried out every three or six years, by a professional holding the electrical safety inspector qualification. The fire-safety inspection of electrical installations is required by section 277 of the National Fire Safety Code (OTSZ, BM Decree 54/2014 (XII. 5.)), at least every three or six years depending on the quantity of materials handled.

Neither text mentions thermal-imaging or thermographic methods, so a thermal screening of cabinets neither replaces nor can substitute the mandatory inspection. It is an early warning, not proof of safety compliance (see also: overheating electrical connections).

How can they complement each other?

The statutory procedures are typically built on documents, calculation and checks of equipment. A thermal survey shows where heat escapes and what each defect may cost, so the decision can be about the order of repairs. Whether a thermal image may be used in a certification or official procedure depends on the rules of that procedure and on agreement between the parties; as a rule the survey is not suitable for it.

Every business is responsible for meeting its own statutory obligations. If in doubt, ask a professional authorised in the field, or a lawyer. Prices and packages are on the Pricing page, the method on the How it works page.

Frequently asked questions

Rules referred to

• Government Decree 176/2008 (VI. 30.) on the certification of the energy characteristics of buildings
• Act LVII of 2015 on energy efficiency
• Government Decree 122/2015 (V. 26.) implementing the energy efficiency act
• NGM Decree 40/2017 (XII. 4.) on the electrical safety inspection
• BM Decree 54/2014 (XII. 5.) on the National Fire Safety Code

Status: October 2026. Rules may change; the text in force is always authoritative.