Energy efficiency: Are EU houses ready for winter?

In 2023, 25.5% of the EU population aged 16 or over was living in a house in which energy efficiency has improved in the last five years.

However, people at risk of poverty or social exclusion were less likely to experience these improvements compared with those not at risk.

According to Eurostat data, 17.8% of people living at risk of poverty are less likely to report living in houses with more energy-efficient homes.

At a national level, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Lithuania led the way in energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable populations, while Cyprus (5.0%), Malta (6.7%) and Italy (6.9%) saw the lowest rates.

According to the Spanish multinational electric utility company Iberdrola, refrigerators, televisions, and washing machines are the three household appliances that consume the most energy.

To enhance the energy performance, it is advised to upgrade thermal insulation in external walls, roofs and floors. The replacement of single-glazed windows with double or triple-glazed units and the installation of more efficient heating systems will also improve energy efficiency in European homes.  

For more information, watch the Euronews video in the player above.