The European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy has approved the new European directive on energy efficiency for buildings. There were 49 votes in favor, 18 against, and 6 abstentions. According to this proposed law, all European buildings must achieve energy class “E” by 2030 and class “D” by 2033. The ultimate goal is to reduce European gas emissions, making the Continent climate-neutral by 2050. The text has sparked much debate and will have to go through a long legislative process before being definitively approved. However, it is essential to consider potential European changes now, especially if you are thinking about renovating a home, or other types of buildings, such as offices.
Key Points of the Green Home Directive
The first structures that will need to be involved in the energy renovation process will be those with the lowest energy performance, namely those falling into classes “G” and “F”. Initially, the first buildings to be renovated will be non-residential ones such as hotels and offices. Non-residential offices must fall at least in class “F” by January 1, 2027, to reach class “E” by January 1, 2033.
In the new draft of the decree, less stringent rules have been provided for places of worship and temporary structures such as beach establishments and construction site offices.
The following are exempt from the measure:
- properties located in protected or restricted areas;
- historic buildings;
- residential units inhabited for less than four months a year, which record energy consumption below 25% of standard consumption.
In this context, another much-discussed topic is the abolition of obsolete boilers. Both environmental groups and businesses have emphasized the need to eliminate measures supporting traditional heating systems, pushing European families to choose latest-generation boilers, renew windows and doors, or construct insulating thermal coats. The request comes especially from the EEB, the European Environmental Bureau, an environmental network that unites 180 associations from different European countries.
The Peculiarity of the Italian Scenario
The Italian reality has some peculiarities compared to the European scenario, which are essential to reflect upon. It’s enough to consider that 85% of Italians own a home. This law would directly impact the pockets of a large portion of Italian citizens. The commitment would be disproportionate from both an economic-financial and technical-entrepreneurial point of view. Italians are therefore asking for greater flexibility. According to ENEA, the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development,
According to a ranking compiled by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Italy ranks ninth in the list of the 10 best countries in the world for sustainable building certifications issued in 2022.
According to Irish MEP Ciarán Cuffe, rapporteur for the European Parliament on the new directive, the decree will leave much flexibility to individual states, allowing for specific national renovation plans depending on the context. Europe will be ideally divided into 4 different areas, with 4 different energy efficiency targets, in order to distribute efforts among states proportionately. However, we will still have to wait to know the outcome of this initiative.
Want to know more? Contact us and book a free quote for renovating your home. Within 48 hours, one of our technicians will conduct a site inspection of the building to be renovated, always free and without obligation.
