Emission-free housing gains momentum

As Europe strives to meet climate goals, demand for energy-efficient homes rises on the real estate market

The European Union is pushing for swift action in the building sector to counteract the harmful effects of climate change. Nearly 35 million building units in Europe will need to be renovated and all new constructions have to be net zero-emissions by 2030. For homeowners and buyers alike, this means investing in energy efficiency will likely increase the market value of their properties.?

Living sustainably is a personal goal of mine, and I decided to renovate my new home in Mallorca to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. When selecting the building materials for example, I paid attention to sustainability aspects, including insulation and water heating.

Whether you’re a property owner who wants to live long-term in your home or sell it for the best possible price, there are a number of ways to cut energy costs, live more environmentally conscious, and add value to your home.?

Doubling energy renovation rates in Europe?

Most existing buildings in Europe are not entirely energy-efficient and still rely on fossil fuels for heating or cooling. Focusing on the sustainable renovation of buildings is one of the key ways to ensure the EU reaches its objective of climate neutrality by 2050.?

The European Commission launched the Renovation Wave Initiative in October 2020, aiming to foster deep energy renovations and at least double the annual renovation rates of residential buildings by 2030. In December 2021, the Commission revised the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), following up on the Renovation Wave strategy and proposing mandatory minimum energy standards.?

This proposal focuses on renovating the worst performing buildings in Europe—all residential buildings with a “G” rating on a scale from A to G would be required to reach class “F” by January 1, 2030 and class “E” by January 1, 2033.

Further energy efficiency standards are likely to follow as the EU continues to revise its directives on emission-free housing and decarbonising the building stock.?

Renovating homes to improve energy efficiency?

Fortunately, there are many options for homeowners who would like to get ahead of the legal requirements in Europe and start making significant changes to their homes.?

Replacing older windows and doors in a home can have a noticeable impact on energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Traditional single-pane windows do a poor job of keeping out the cold and holding in heat.?

When investing in new windows, it’s best to optimise energy efficiency by paying close attention to the U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SGHC) of windows. The U-Factor measures how well a window insulates and the SGHC measures how much solar radiation passes through the window. Selecting the ideal windows for various sides of the house can improve heat flow and filter out damaging ultraviolet light.

Properly insulating and air sealing a home is another option for enhancing the energy efficiency of an older or low performing house. Unfinished attics, vented crawl spaces, and unheated garages with insufficient insulation often lead to unwanted heat loss. Adding or upgrading insulation between the floor joists and rafters is a quick way to reduce the loss of energy through the ceiling, roof, and external walls.?

Introducing renewable energy is a third option for making a home energy neutral. This could mean switching to green energy or installing a renewable energy system. Grid-tied solar power systems are the most cost-effective and common renewable energy options. However, since these systems can come with a hefty price tag, homeowners should first consider low-cost and easy-to-implement efficiency measures before installing a home solar electric system.?

Each of these potential renovations presents homeowners with an opportunity to improve energy efficiency in their houses. At the same time, homebuyers should take note of these improvements when in the market for low carbon homes.?

Energy efficient design for building new homes

At the end of 2021, the EU also amended its energy efficiency directives with regard to new buildings. As of 2030, all new buildings have to be zero emission constructions, and energy performance certificates must be issued following inspection—a step up from the current requirement that all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB).?

The EU directives focus in particular on eliminating fossil fuel-based boilers and implementing heating systems with zero direct emissions. Low carbon alternatives to gas and oil heaters include electric combi boilers, solar water heating systems, air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps.

Heat pumps are especially promising since they work for both heating and cooling and have an efficiency ranging from 300% to 600%. These systems run on electricity and use refrigerant to transfer heat between coils inside and outside of the house.?

When designing new homes, it is also important to use carbon neutral building materials and consider renewable energy power systems—or at least prepare for an upgrade in the future. For example, this could mean eliminating architectural elements unused chimneys that would cast shadows or block ideal roof space for solar panels.?

Taking these steps to build carbon-neutral houses is not only necessary to meet regulatory requirements, but also beneficial to healthy living and improving the market value of properties. Together we can help reach net zero emission goals in Europe by prioritising sustainability and energy efficiency in our own homes.??