Debunk the myths of the EU buildings legislation. In the last years, increasing energy prices have affected millions of Europeans.
Consumers facing this situation are in dire need for support to reduce their energy consumption and costs, to make informed decisions, increase their knowledge on where and how to start the renovation process and find the right quality-proof professionals.
Renovating residential buildings and installing energy efficiency measures can help consumers save energy – as well as Europe achieve its sustainability targets.
The EU buildings legislation – also referred to as the EPBD –aims at achieving a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050, but is often misunderstood in what it provides and its implications for citizens’ homes.
Buildings are the single largest energy consumer in Europe. To achieve a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was published in 2002.
A revised EPBD (EU/2024/1275, EPBD)2 entered into force in May 2024 and will need to be transposed into national laws by 29 May 2026.
The EPBD sets out the strategy to gradually decarbonise the building sector while bringing benefits to consumers
It contributes directly to the EU’s energy and climate goals. But many across EU, citizens as well as buildings’ professionals are unsure of what it means for them, and most often, misconceptions about its key articles lead to delayed or absence of renovations.
The revised EPBD recognises the importance of information services, also called one-stop-shops, in reducing the energy consumption of homes, by setting Member States a target of at least 1 one-stop-shop (OSS) for every 80,000 citizens.
One-stop shops serve as an essential guide for homeowners interested in starting the home renovation process by providing a digital and/or physical platform and space where consumers can go and find the information they need to make the best choices for their properties.
Digital OSS platforms, like the ones developed by the LIFE-funded HORIS project, aim to simplify the home renovation process and break down the barriers currently faced by consumers.
“The building stock is characterised by poorly insulated and energy inefficient buildings. It is therefore essential to invest in the large-scale renovation of buildings, both to improve user comfort and for the necessary decarbonisation of the building stock, which will speed up the climate transition. From the citizens’ perspective, this law is key to help in this transition to more energy-efficient homes while reducing energy bills”, adds Elsa Agante, team leader Energy and Sustainability at DECO Proteste and project coordinator.
Rete Irene has created, in collaboration with Legambiente, Altroconsumo, Per un salto di classe and the EU-funded project HORIS, a unique document to dispell false beliefs about the legislation, providing clarity through information from official sources and concrete data, to help citizens understand what the legislation provides for, what the real implications are for families, and the opportunities the transition offers for more efficient and sustainable buildings. The main concerns debunked are about the costs of energy renovation intervention, the prohibition of sale or rental of non-compliant properties, the obligation to replace gas
The Build UP portal, a hub of information for all things buildings and constructions, will host a month focused in the EPBD (especially around data) In February 2026.
Rete Irene, founded in 2013, is a network of Italian companies specializing in the energy retrofitting of existing buildings. Rete Irene’s mission is to dramatically reduce energy consumption in buildings, making interventions accessible and sustainable. Its core values include ethics, sustainability, and a focus on people’s well-being.
HORIS is a project funded by the European LIFE programme, which created a digital one-stop-shop (OSS) empowering homeowners (of several building types, including flats) during the home renovation process. HORIS facilitates a smooth customer journey, offering homeowners support on finding renovation professionals and guidance about financial schemes. HORIS project partners include 3 consumer organisations to bring energy-saving measures into the heart of citizens’ homes.
The platforms are available at:
