Energy efficient homes are healthy homes

A long-awaited regulation on labelling is part of the latest attempt by the EU to bring about greater energy efficiency.

Decision-makers have agreed on measures to raise consumer awareness of the energy performance of various appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, televisions and washing machines.

The Energy Labelling Directive means that manufacturers of these products will have to indicate the energy consumption irrespective of whether the product performs well (“A”), or poorly (“G”).

The WHO has said that encouraging domestic energy efficiency is an important part of helping to achieve health equity.

“Domestic energy inefficiencies and related fuel poverty have a number of effects on health and are very socially patterned,” according to a WHO report on the social determinants of health.

More energy efficient homes will mean that it is easier for those on a low income to heat their home to an adequate temperate.

An agreement has also been reached on the updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, originally adopted in 2002, means that all new buildings in the EU will have to meet high energy standards.

All buildings built after 31 December 2020 must be powered to a large extent by renewable energy, while public authorities will have to meet these requirements two years earlier.

“Buildings account for 40 % of Europe’s energy use and are therefore an important piece of the puzzle to reduce the EU’s impact on the climate,” said Sweden’s Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson.

The regulation on buildings is part of the EU's Second Strategic Energy Review, which aims for better energy security in Europe.

For more information on the new energy regulations, please go here.

The WHO report can be downloaded from here.