In 2024, about a quarter of the energy consumption in the European Union came from renewable sources, a milestone that confirms the ongoing transition. The practical question is: how to transform this advancement into comfort, savings, and energy resilience for your home by 2030?
| Short on time? Here’s the essential: | |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Quick summary |
| 📈 | In 2024, 25.2% of the energy consumed in the EU came from renewables — real progress, but still 17.3 p.p. below the 2030 target (42.5%). |
| 🔧 | Prioritize the trio “PV + heat pump + insulation” to cut consumption and stabilize costs in 4 years. |
| 🚫 | Avoid purchasing technology without an energy audit and without planning shading, ventilation, and control. |
| 🎯 | Useful domestic target: reduce 30–50% of final energy with low-risk measures that return in 4–8 years. |
About 25% of energy in the EU in 2024: what does this change for your home and your electricity bill
The figure of 25.2% in 2024 is not just a statistic; it is a sign that cleaner electricity is gaining ground, pressuring prices in the medium term and driving solutions for buildings. However, the European average hides distinct realities: countries like Sweden or Finland already operate with a much higher renewable share, while others still have a longer path ahead. For daily life, this translates into greater predictability in energy costs and opportunities for photovoltaic self-consumption.
By 2026, with four years until 2030, the EU needs to accelerate the annual increase of the renewable share to approach about 3 p.p. per year, compared to the modest 0.7 p.p. observed from 2023 to 2024. For your home, this context favors those who decide now: efficient equipment and local energy production tend to appreciate and enjoy better network conditions and support tariff rates for self-consumption.
Translation of statistics into domestic impacts
If the grid becomes cleaner, each kWh consumed has a smaller carbon footprint. Even better when the kWh is produced on the roof. Residential photovoltaic installations reduce dependence on the grid during sunny hours, lowering the bill and smoothing tariff spikes. When combined with heat pumps, solar energy covers a significant part of water heating and, in well-insulated homes, space heating.
In rehabilitation projects monitored on the ground, a typical strategy begins by reducing the need (insulation, airtightness, shading), moves to efficient equipment, and concludes with local generation. This logic aligns the home with network trends: less waste, more autonomy, and stable thermal comfort.
How long until 2030 and what it means in 2026
The gap of 17.3 percentage points to the European target of 42.5% requires pace. In 2026, those planning a staged intervention can achieve gradual and cumulative results. For example, the Andrade family from Coimbra started by adding 12 cm of insulation to the roof and an adjustable shading solution on the south windows; only then did they install a 6 kW heat pump and 10 solar panels. The consumption cut was 38% in the first winter, with visible improvements in comfort at night.
This approach focuses on what can be controlled: the building envelope, habits, and the intelligent integration of technology. In a scenario where Europe is accelerating, every home that reduces thermal and electrical loads helps the grid and benefits financially. Efficiency first, technology later — is the order that avoids oversizing and disappointments.
- 🌞 Maximize solar gains in winter and minimize in summer with adjustable shading.
- 🧱 Invest in continuous insulation (thermal bridges treated) and good airtightness.
- ⚙️ Select modulating equipment (heat pump, VMC with recovery).
- 🔋 Consider batteries only after optimizing consumption and time profiles.
In the end, the European figure matters because it creates a favorable context for local decisions. An efficient home is the best protection against energy uncertainty — and the path begins with what is done in the building itself.
Target of 42.5% by 2030: technologies and incentives that accelerate your transition
If the direction is set, the execution requires pragmatism. In 2026, national and municipal support programs prioritize thermal renovation, heat pumps, and photovoltaic solar. The right combination depends on the home, but there are standards that work consistently in houses and apartments, including in old buildings. The goal is simple: cut final energy first and, in parallel, locally produce what is feasible.
Start with an energy assessment. A thermographic study and a blower door test reveal heat and air leaks. Often, 20% of consumption disappears in poorly sealed joints and untreated shutter boxes. Fixing the envelope allows for choosing a smaller and less expensive heat pump, reducing total investment.
Solar, domestic wind, heat pumps, and efficient biomass
Photovoltaics are now the workhorse of self-consumption. On well-oriented roofs, a system of 3 to 6 kWp covers a relevant part of annual electricity, and with load management (programming AQS and machines), the self-consumption rate soars. In rural and windy areas, micro-wind can complement, although it requires turbulence studies and more time-consuming licensing.
For heating and cooling, low-temperature heat pumps with underfloor heating or fan convectors ensure comfort with high COP. In homes with biomass, a modern stove or boiler, automatically fed and with combustion control, reduces emissions and increases efficiency. The rule is to integrate systems and control by zones, adapting the energy to actual needs.
Smart financing and licensing
In many municipalities, energy efficiency works on the envelope have a fast track to licensing. Support programs cover portions of investments in insulation, windows with appropriate solar factors, and renewable technology. It’s worth planning in phases, grouping measures that unlock financing and maximize consumption reduction.
Consider the life cycle: a well-executed insulation lasts for decades, while equipment has cyclical replacements. First directing the budget to the envelope ensures permanent savings and safe comfort against increasingly frequent heat and cold waves.
To explore practical support tools and case studies close to your reality, look for videos that show examples in climates and typologies similar to your home. Learning with peers reduces mistakes and speeds up decisions.
On the ground, the winning decision is to start. Small victories — seals, shading regulation, scheduling adjustments — set the stage for the big ones: boiler replaced with a heat pump, roof renovated, and PV dimensioned to your profile.
European leaders and Portugal’s place: 2024 data and practices to replicate
The numbers for 2024 help map strategies. Countries at the top combine natural resources, consistent policies, and a culture of efficiency. It’s important to observe the revenue, not just the result. In different contexts, similar principles work — and Portugal already has trump cards, especially in electricity from wind and hydro sources, with an Atlantic wind that helps balance production.
See a summary of percentages of final energy consumption from renewables in 2024 (Eurostat), useful for understanding where the references are and where there is room for evolution:
| Country 🌍 | Renewable share (%) ⚡ | Useful notes 🧭 |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 62.8 | Well-integrated solid biomass, hydro, and wind. |
| Finland | 52.1 | Similar mix, with industry taking advantage of renewable heat. |
| Denmark | 46.8 | Wind and biomass; efficient heat networks. |
| Portugal | 36.3 | First third of the EU; good solar potential yet to be explored in homes. |
| Ireland | 16.1 | Strong start in wind, but overall capacity still low. |
| Luxembourg | 14.7 | Small market and reliant on imports. |
| Belgium | 14.3 | Intensifying offshore wind; space for efficiency in buildings. |
What to take from this for your home? Where there are resources, there is a common thread: aggressive efficiency, sectoral integration, and smart management. In urban areas, heat networks allow for systemic solutions; in houses, the focus is on the envelope, solar control, and the heat pump. In Portugal, the underutilization of domestic solar is the obvious opportunity — well-oriented roofs add predictable production, especially when combined with programmable loads.
Replicable best practices
In leading countries, the quality of workmanship is treated like energy: without air leaks, with continuous insulation, and windows sized for the climate. In Portugal, it’s worth applying the same rigor. A real example of a T3 from the 90s in Braga: replacement of windows with U-window of 1.2 W/m²K, adjustable external shading, and sealing of shutter boxes. Result? Reduction of 28% in heating consumption even before replacing the boiler. Only then was a 5 kW heat pump installed, benefiting from lower thermal inertia and greater comfort.
The message is straightforward: there is no magic solution. There is a logical sequence, measurement, and adjustments. Copying the essentials from leaders — efficiency at the base, well-integrated renewables — is the safest shortcut.
Passive architecture and rehabilitation: practical steps to cut 30–60% of consumption
Buildings that hardly need energy exist and are not science fiction. In rehabilitation, the objective is to approach that standard with cumulative measures. The typical order: reduce losses, control solar gains, ventilate with heat recovery, and finally, install efficient technology. When well sequenced, this strategy can cut final consumption by 30–60% in common typology housing.
Start with the envelope. Roofs and facades that are poorly insulated are the biggest villains of comfort. Applying 12–16 cm of insulation in the roof, correcting peripheral thermal bridges, and installing windows with solar factors suitable for the orientation changes the thermal behavior of the house. At the same time, a VMC with heat recovery ensures healthy air without penalizing heating.
Clear and applicable step-by-step
1) Diagnosis: airtightness test and thermography. 2) Envelope interventions: insulation, window frames, shading. 3) Modulating equipment: heat pump and AQS with adequately sized tank. 4) Generation: photovoltaics calibrated to consumption profile. 5) Control: CO₂, temperature, and zoning sensors. At each phase, measure the results to avoid deviations.
Example: the Luar do Norte Condominium in Porto decided to intervene in phases. First, they sealed leaks and addressed the shutter boxes. Next, they installed centralized VMC through a technical column and replaced lighting with dimmable LEDs. Only then did they add PV on the roof, with quotas per apartment and a simple algorithm to prioritize common loads. In two years, the combined reduction was 41%, with clear improvements in comfort during heat waves.
- 🪟 External shading is more effective than interior film on the worst summer days.
- 🌬️ Ventilating without heat recovery penalizes the bill in winter — VMC is an investment that pays off.
- 🧠 Zonal control reduces operating hours and prolongs the lifespan of the heat pump.
- 🔌 Programming machines and AQS for solar hours maximizes self-consumption without batteries.
By following this path, every euro invested yields more and for longer. The home starts to “work” for you, demanding less energy and providing more comfort. That is what distinguishes an intelligent project from a hasty equipment purchase.
Errors to avoid and best practices for a resilient domestic energy plan by 2030
There are tempting shortcuts that cost dearly. The first mistake is to start with technology, ignoring the envelope. The second is to size without data, leading to oversized systems, noise, and short cycles. The third is not considering the future climate: longer heat waves require shading and thermal inertia, not just more powerful air conditioning.
Another common stumble is the absence of measurement. Without records of consumption and temperature, it is unclear whether the work met the goal. A simple set of sensors and an energy meter for the heat pump allow for adjusting heating curves and schedules. Within a few months, this tuning reduces consumption without losing comfort.
90-day plan to gain traction
First 30 days: diagnosis and small corrections. Seal leaks, fine-tune shading, and review equipment schedules. Days 31–60: rapid works on the envelope (shutter boxes, critical windows, accessible roof insulation). Days 61–90: install heat pump and PV sized to the new reality, with zonal control and supporting sensors. After three months, the house enters a new level and is ready for fine adjustments.
To illustrate, Casa do Vale (an 80s house in Alentejo) replaced the water heater with a heat pump for AQS, added 10 cm of insulation, and installed 4 kWp of PV. Without a battery, with AQS programmed for midday and washing machine at 2 PM, the self-consumption rate increased by 25 points. The following summer, an external retractable awning reduced interior temperature by 2–3 °C on the hottest afternoons, with less cooling use.
Consider the plan as a phased low-risk investment. With clear goals, each stage brings returns and builds confidence for the next. The secret lies in measuring, adjusting, and maintaining focus on efficiency — technology works best when the home demands little.
Simple action for today: identify three measures without construction that you can apply now — adjust AQS schedules for the solar period, reprogram zoning HVAC, and optimize shading. Next, schedule an energy audit. The right moment is now: energy in the EU has become cleaner, and your home can keep pace with this rhythm with intelligence and method.
Source: www.rtp.pt
