In Portugal, energy efficiency in buildings has become a central issue due to its significant influence on homeowners’ expenses and environmental impact. Only 3.1% of houses built between 2010 and 2021, according to the National Institute of Statistics, point to a predominantly old housing stock and potentially inefficient from an energy standpoint. This reality underscores the urgent need to focus on energy efficiency, particularly in the roofs and floors of homes.
Efficient Roofs: A Barrier Against Energy Losses
Roofs play a crucial role in retaining heat in homes, especially in climates like Portugal’s, where temperature variations can be significant. Innovative solutions such as BMI Group’s Tectum® – First, Pro, and Plus roofing systems offer roofs with superior insulation, helping to maintain a constant temperature inside the home, thus reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling and, consequently, energy costs.
Efficient Floors: The Basis of Sustainability
Similarly, floors play an essential role in a home’s energy efficiency. Systems like the Weberfloor Radiante from Saint-Gobain ensure not only thermal comfort but also energy efficiency. By integrating radiant heating in floors, these systems distribute heat more evenly and efficiently, contributing to a significant reduction in energy consumption.
Synergy between Roofs and Floors for Maximum Efficiency
The combination of energy-efficient roofs and floors in a home can result in a significant reduction in energy costs. These integrated solutions provide superior thermal insulation and more effective internal temperature management, reducing the need for external heating and cooling systems.
National Context and Future Challenges
The Portuguese context, with an aged housing stock and the new European Commission directive on building energy efficiency, puts a renewed focus on the need to rehabilitate homes to improve their energy performance. The Portuguese Government’s Environmental Fund, through the Sustainable Buildings Support Program, has already invested significantly in improving building energy efficiency, achieving notable results such as a 47.4% reduction in primary energy and an annual savings of 38 million euros.
Conclusion
Energy efficiency, particularly in roofs and floors, is fundamental to reducing energy costs and environmental impact in Portugal. Adopting modern and energy-efficient solutions is a crucial step to meet European legislation demands and improve the comfort and sustainability of Portuguese homes. Therefore, integrating advanced technologies in building and rehabilitating buildings becomes a priority for a more sustainable and economically efficient future.
