Cyprus ranks fourth-lowest in the EU for home energy efficiency improvements, with only 14.6% of residents living in properties that underwent energy upgrades over the past five years, according to new Eurostat data.
The upgrades typically included external wall insulation, roof or floor improvements, replacement of single-pane windows with double or triple glazing, and installation of more efficient heating systems.
Cyprus shares this low percentage with Spain, whilst Greece recorded 11.9% and Malta had the EU’s lowest rate at 8.4%. This stands in sharp contrast to the EU average of 25.5% among residents aged 16 and above.
The Netherlands led the EU with 59% of homes upgraded, followed by Estonia at 47% and Latvia at 37%. Other strong performers included Slovakia and Hungary at around 35%.
The data also reveals that Cyprus has significant housing quality issues, with 31.6% of residents reporting problems such as leaking roofs, damp walls, or rotting frames – the highest proportion in the EU.
Regarding greenhouse gas emissions from household heating and cooling, Cyprus recorded 428.6 kg per person in 2022, down from 498.6 kg in 2010, well below the EU average of 647 kg per person. Luxembourg recorded the highest emissions at 1,296 kg per person, while Sweden had the lowest at 27 kg.
In response to these challenges, the Cyprus Council of Ministers approved a new €30 million grant scheme in October 2024 called “Save and Upgrade in Homes (2024)”.
Funded through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, the scheme will support various home improvements including thermal insulation, window replacements, solar water heating systems, and photovoltaic installations. Applications will be accepted until December 20, 2024 or until the budget is exhausted.
