EU energy efficiency plans – efficient enough?

Energy savings across EU domestic building stock by optimizing hydraulic distribution in domestic space heating systems

“…A low initial cost is incurred upgrading particular aspects of existing active systems such as the installation of thermostatic radiator valves and/or a high efficiency heating circulation pump in the dwelling heating system. Domestic space heating has been dominated by fossil fuels, efficiency improvement in space heating will thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions [4,7,[11][12][13]. Heating system efficiency depends upon the thermal performance of the building envelope, occupancy [14] and climate, as well as the performance the system's component parts [15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…Energy efficiency gains from heat distribution systems are not always optimal with even the most progressive energy standards failing to regulate to ensure the energy saving potential of the system is fulfilled [4,6,9,12,15,[24][25][26]. A tendency to oversize heating plant leads up to 50% higher energy consumption, particularly at part load operation [15,16,18,27,28].…”

“…That EU "member states are largely underestimating the importance of energy services and the market for companies that deliver them" [12] illustrates the regulatory focus on utility and energy service companies. Very few regulatory or policy perspectives on domestic energy in the EU focus on installers as a key stakeholder in the energy services market.…”