New EU directives that require energy efficiency in the home can do Save up to €3,000 on your gas bill, but dedicated incentives are needed, the cost of which the Italian state cannot afford. Professors explain this to Money.it Francesco Nocera and Gianpiero Evola of the University of Catania and Simon Franz Energy and Strategy (Milan Polytechnic).
In this way, teachers try to clarify the new legislation proposed by him European Union Commission It is being discussed in the European Parliament, around which strong controversy has flared up in our country. the Meloni governmentIndeed, starting with the relative majority party, the Brotherhood of Italy, the directive is a kind of “hidden asset” on owned homes.
Of the opposition, however, there are those like me greens Highlights potential savings on bills. between them Billion dollar that a comprehensive redevelopment of the building’s stock would ensue. Who can support them?
Greenhouses, what the European Union Directive provides
The latest draft of the directive states that by the beginning of 2030 All residential properties must be upgraded to energy class E And by 2033 to that D, to reach the target by 2050 Zero pollutant emissions.
Can individual states a Establish any penalties to be applied, even if the market can in no way “punish” owners who don’t comply, with devaluations of unregulated homes. In Italy 60% of buildings have energy class F or even GThis includes 3.1-3.7 million buildings. However, the EU Commission makes it clear in the Fit for 55 package to which this Directive will be linked that buildings are responsible More than a third of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union.
Then the individual states are left with The possibility of exempting some properties. It can be buildings under protection, such as historic buildings or buildings of high architectural value, but also listed buildingswhich are located within some areas, for example those that are prohibited or protected.
Residential buildings that are used for less than four months a year or for a limited period, with a Energy consumption less than 25%. This definition includes eg second homes.
Gas bill, potential savings of up to €3,000
“Imagine that buildings in energy classes F or G are upgraded to class D or E. – Nocera and Evola explained – This would, for example, lead to a decrease in average annual non-renewable primary energy requirements from 322.8 kWh/m2 (G class) at 136 kWh/m2 (Class E), with energy savings estimated between 40% and 50%“.
In practice, consider the cost of methane equal to 1.51 € / m3 (including fees, according to Arera data for December),”Every Italian family can Savings from 2,000 to 3,000 euros per year on your gas bill for heating“.
Greenhouses, how much does energy efficiency work cost
It can be applied, for those classes where energy intake is very high (GF), “basicinterventions (such as replacing fixtures and boiler) effectively allowing not only Reduce consumptionBut also to improve the thermal comfort and quality of life of passengers. But How much will EE jobs cost, on average?
“The variables involved for costs – Professors explanation – are many and depend on many factors (climate, thermophysical properties of the opaque and translucent building envelope, type of system) and on Types of solutions on the market, which is big. However, the cost of energy redevelopment is on average from 150 to 350 euros per square meter“.
Briefly, For a house of 80 square meters it will be between 12 thousand and 28 thousand euros. Therefore, without incentives, the game is not worth the candle: payback times, even with gas savings of thousands of euros, would be several years.
Does European Superbonus come due to commitment to restructuring?
Not only. “For many initial investment – Franz adds – It could be impassable barrierso we need facilitation tools and incentives, especially for some Social classes and income brackets“.
As he says, “Commitment scares, but if accompanied by it structural incentiveswhich is likely to be there, business will agree to save on bills and reduce pollution“.
According to the expert from Milan Polytechnic Institute, “We are in a period where Public resources must be used wisely: Member states cannot afford stimulus and a new European approach is needed, otherwise it is illogical for the EU to say it will reduce deficits and then impose stimulus“.
How the EU Common Greenhouse Fund might work
So, for all three teachers, Mentoring can have positive effectsbut it must be accompanied by structural incentives at the European level, that is, a kind of Superbonus process, but this time societal and structural, that is, without Deadlines in a few years (as in the case of the Italian tax subsidy).
“duty – Franz explains – Not necessarily wrong: it allows us to be Reducing consumption, pollution and dependence on natural gaswhich we often import from geopolitically unstable countries“.
So what the energy expert and strategist suggests is Provide differentiated incentive for technologies and income bracketsbased on costs and savings, to bridge the gap that occurs economically sustainable Energy efficient work.
“Briefly – Franz concludes – technologies that it has longer time to return Savings should be encouraged more, but also how much savings there are in consumption and climate impact should be assessed. The supports must then be calibrated according to the properties Real estate and urban fabric For each Member State: So it would be the best option Create mutual funds with different plansas in the case of the next generation EU“.
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