SRI class
Class 20–35 %: limited
In short
- 1This class is called "Limited" and corresponds to a score between 20 and 35 percent.
- 2Buildings in this class rely mainly on manual operation, such as a thermostat or a time clock.
- 3The average from the Czech test phase fell around this threshold, showing that this class occurs frequently in practice.
Position in the class table
| Band | Name | Meaning | Letter in tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100 % | Fully smart-ready | Almost all installations are smartly controlled, integrated and ready to move with the grid. | A |
| 80–90 % | Very smart | A building with a mature building management system, demand-driven installations and first forms of energy flexibility. | B |
| 65–80 % | Smart | The main installations are controlled per zone and on occupancy. | C |
| 50–65 % | On the way | There is a building management system and some installations are smartly controlled, but not consistently and not integrated. | D |
| 35–50 % | Basics in place | Central controls and time schedules, little occupancy control, limited reporting. | E |
| 20–35 % | Limited | Manual operation dominates. | F |
| 0–20 % | Not smart-ready | Almost everything is operated by hand. | G |
What does the "Limited" class mean?
The "Limited" class is one of seven classes in the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), the European measurement tool for the digital intelligence of a building. This class ranges from 20 to 35 percent and is sometimes labelled with the letter F in certain tools.
A score in this band means a building has some isolated provisions but no coherent system. A thermostat is often present, sometimes a time clock for lighting or heating, but these components do not work together.
What does such a building look like in practice?
In a building with this class, manual operation predominates. Occupants or users adjust the temperature, lighting or ventilation themselves, without support from a building management system (BMS).
There is little or no connection between the different domains that the SRI distinguishes, such as heating, cooling and lighting. Each system operates independently, without central control or automatic coordination.
This aligns with findings from the Czech test phase, in which 162 buildings were assessed. The average of that group was around 20.6 percent, just at the lower edge of this class.
What is the relationship with mandatory building automation?
Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), building automation is already mandatory for certain buildings. For utility buildings with an installation above 290 kW, this requirement has applied since the end of 2024.
A building currently in the "Limited" class may therefore not yet meet this requirement. From the end of 2029, the requirement will also apply to installations above 70 kW, causing more buildings to need to move out of this class.
The SRI itself is voluntary. The European Commission must adopt a delegated act by 30 June 2027 that is expected to make the SRI mandatory for larger utility buildings.
One class higher
35–50 % · Basics in place: Central controls and time schedules, little occupancy control, limited reporting. Many existing non-residential buildings are here.
What this means for you
- Owner
- A building in the "Limited" class lacks coordination between basic provisions such as heating and lighting, while building automation is already partially mandatory for larger installations. It is advisable to explore which smart-ready services can be added with limited investment to better manage both energy consumption and future compliance obligations.
- Tenant
- In a building with this class, you adjust the temperature and lighting yourself, without automatic support. This can lead to lower comfort and higher energy consumption than in buildings with smarter systems.
- Advisor
- When assessing, pay attention to the lack of connections between domains, as this is often the main reason for a low score in this class. Take into account the approaching requirements for building automation above 290 kW and 70 kW when formulating improvement recommendations.
Next step
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