The path to an energy-efficient building park

Heating, hot water and private electricity consumption consume large amounts of energy and cause high CO₂ emissions. Energy-efficient renovations of buildings can reduce this consumption - but how is the money best used for which type of building? Empa researchers have investigated this question. Buildings in Switzerland consume around 40% of the final energy. Heat generation accounts for the lion's share of this. This is not good news for the climate: almost two-thirds of all buildings in Switzerland are heated with oil or gas - making Switzerland the leading country in Europe. Heating alone caused CO2 emissions of around 15.8 million tonnes in 2018. The good news is that there is huge potential to reduce these emissions without sacrificing living comfort - the magic word is energy-efficient renovation.