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Digital one stop shops: the front door to EPBD home renovation revolution
Euroconsumers' DECO PROteste, OCU and Altroconsumo can support achieving Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with HORIS project digital one stop shops for consumer information on renovations and retrofits.
New buildings have to meet stringent energy standards, but what of the EU’s older buildings and homes? 85% of EU buildings were built before 2000, and 75% of these have a poor energy footprint. Millions of these older homes need costly adaptations to cut their climate impact and be more comfortable and cheaper to run for their inhabitants.
Getting Europe’s existing building stock in a good state, with minimal energy leakage, powered by sustainable energy sources is key to the Green Deal package and the journey to net zero. If achieved it will help reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel and pull millions out of fuel poverty.
The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive published in May 2024 wants member states to achieve an energy reduction of at least 16% in their housing stock through retrofitting future proof energy solutions like sustainable heating and cooling systems, photovoltaic panels, windows, door and roof installation.
The home energy renovation information gap
Making steps to renovate existing properties for maximum energy savings has been too difficult for too long. Consumers have an array of new options like heat pumps or solar panels but this boom in new products has yet to develop into an accessible, joined up consumer market.
Consumers who want to make renovations need to navigate lots of interrelated decisions like: what best fits their property and climate, likely cost savings, finance options and whether professional installers and tech support is available locally.
Information and advice open the door to renovation journey
Through diverse energy household projects like Clear-HP and HORIS our members OCU, Testachats, DECO PROTeste and Altroconsumo know that consumers need trusted, comprehensive sources of knowledge and reliable information on renovation options.
And we know that consumers want to be part of the renovation revolution but attempts to roll out household schemes will falter without a simpler, joined up consumer offer.
So Euroconsumers is pleased to see that providing meaningful information and advice is built into EPBD goals. It sets member states a target of having at least 1 ‘one-stop-shop’ information service for every 80,000 citizens.
Digital one-stop shops give easy access to the best information
Euroconsumers’ members are testing out how to cut through the complexity of the nascent market and make it easier for consumers to engage with.
The HORIS project (HORIS stands for Home Renovation Integrated Services) is all about simplifying the consumer process for selecting, purchasing, installing and servicing the energy-saving home renovations that are the right fit for them.
The scheme is developing digital one-stop shops to guide consumers through the whole home renovation journey with comprehensive information brought together in one place and hosted by trusted, national consumer associations with strong brand recognition and reach.
The content will include:
- Support and guidance on the financial, technical and legal aspects of home renovation
- A customised package of home renovation measures for their properties.
- Access to a network of quality assured professionals
Working closely with stakeholders from across the emerging sector such as green finance advisors, specialists in transforming historic buildings, universities, research institutes and professional bodies means the best possible and most up to date information is available.
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“The amount of information and choices are daunting even for the most motivated consumer. HORIS connects with a network of dedicated professionals, technicians and funding bodies to match up opportunities and services.
Pulling all of this into easy to digest, clear information is what consumer organisations do best and we think the digital one-stop shop will help drive the market forward.”
Elsa Agante, Team Leader Energy & Sustainability, DECO PROteste
Communities are closing the home renovation information gap
There are already hundreds of digital and face to face OSS in Europe but to reach the EPBD target four or five thousands are needed. The HORIS digital one-stop shop so far covers Italy, Spain and Portugal, but the model is designed to be ‘lifted and shifted’ to other national or regional contexts.
Sharing learning is critical and Euroconsumers’ Italian member Altroconsumo and HORIS partner ANEER took their experiences and lessons to the EU Peers Summit in Brussels last month to share with other one-stop shop innovators.
The event launched the EU Peers community of practitioners and organisations who want to multiply the impact of one-stop shops for residential building renovation across Europe.
The strength of networks and the dedication to high quality, comprehensive consumer-facing information will equip everyone on the road to a home renovation revolution.
HORIS Partners:
GNE Finance
IEECP: Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy
INEGI
De Groene Grachten
ANERR
Nova School of Science and Technology
Bureau Veritas
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