Energy-efficient housing

Energy savings continue to be a priority on an international scale, and also in Catalonia. In fact today is World Energy Savings Day, celebrated in order to raise awareness among the population of the need to reduce the use of energy in homes. Ainhoa Mata, head of buildings unit of the Catalan Institute of Energy, says that measures that can affect the interior of dwellings “are easily implemented”. In this sense, most people “already seek to maintain a reasonable temperature in the home without abusing air conditioning, have double glazing and turn off the lights when they are not in use.” The next step is to focus on “rehabilitation” by installing thermal insulation in the different areas, a fact that “is more costly and requires the consensus of the community and neighbours, but reduces energy expenditure, resulting in more comfort and quality of life.“ Buildings consume 40% of all energy in the EU.