Buildings & districts

Carbon-free heating at home

Many homes in Flanders are still heated with fossil fuels. As a result, even homes with a good EPC label can still have relatively high CO2 emissions. Energy efficiency alone is therefore not enough to reflect the true climate impact of residential heating.
A woman wearing glasses, sitting down with her legs crossed, smiling at the camera

A revision of the EPC could help change that. By taking CO2 emissions explicitly into account alongside energy use, it becomes possible to create a clearer framework for decisions on heating systems and renovation. 

Using simulations for different housing types and neighbourhoods, EnergyVille analysed which solutions are most effective. The results show that once emissions are factored in, heat pumps often emerge as the best option, while CO2 emissions fall significantly. At the same time, phased renovation strategies would make the transition more manageable for households.