The emissions produced by the fossil fuel used to satisfy the growing world demand of energy are causing a dangerous climate change on the planet. In order to contribute to solve such problem, the Commission engaged the Member States to reduce, within 2010, the consumption of energy and the emission of greenhouse gas by 20% and to achieve the 20% of energy produced by renewable energy sources.
The residential and commercial buildings sector have an important capability for Energy saving which, if it is exploited in the appropriate way might lead, within 2010, to a reduction of Energy consumptions within the European Union by approximately 11%.
The interventions of energy improvements in the residential sector have a good balance in terms of costs and benefits, as the cost of the Energy upgrade is strongly lower that similar interventions in other sectors.
The interventions aiming at achieving an energy improvement in the residential field not only enhance the citizens’ wellbeing, but they also reduce the energy need as well as the reliance on other countries for energy supply, they have a positive impact on climate and they reduce the cost of the energy bill for the families. Furthermore, they lead to an increase of job opportunities and a positive impulse to local development. Lastly, they satisfy both the cost and benefits conditions as the cost of the energy upgrade in the residential sector is much lower than similar interventions in other fields.
