How much will it cost? An energy renovation analysis for the Portuguese dwelling stock

The building sector is one of the critical pieces for the sustainable transformation in Europe. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of renovation measures for reducing the Portuguese dwelling stock's space heating and cooling energy needs at national and regional levels. Three different scenarios with varying renovation levels were developed to identify the most effective interventions, and the building type and regions with the highest improvement potential. The energy needs were computed through a dwelling archetype bottom-up method, using energy performance certificates data. A market-based renovation measure inventory was conducted to estimate investment costs. Results show that a deep energy renovation of the dwelling stock entails a minimum investment of euro71.7 thousand million. Roof renovation is the most cost-effective measure for improving heating and cooling thermal performance, respectively 3.5 and 0.8 kWh/euro in the scenarios with lower cost measures. However, renovation packages can add significant marginal increases in energy needs reduction. Results suggest it is more cost-effective to prioritize older house archetypes in the north and south inland regions in the heating and cooling season respectively. These results are informative for more nuanced and targeted policy schemes, enabling more effective use of public funding and increased impact of support measures.

Automated summary

This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of renovation measures for reducing energy needs in Portuguese dwellings. Roof renovation is found to be the most cost-effective measure, and prioritizing older house archetypes in the north and south inland regions is more cost-effective.