Implementing the EPBD in Practice – Heating solutions for affordable renovation
27-05-2026The Affordable Housing Initiative European Partnership is launching a series of three webinars, led by the European Builders Confederation, aimed at bridging EU policy and practical implementation in the field of affordable housing renovation.
We continue connecting the construction ecosystem with the social housing and local municipalities communities to deliver sustainable and affordable housing solutions with the aim of supporting 35 local pioneers in developing and replicating innovative, sustainable, and affordable district-level renovation approaches.
As part of this effort, the webinar series will bring together policymakers, industry experts, civil society representatives and practitioners to explore how key EU initiatives can be applied in practice.
First webinar: “Implementing the EPBD in Practice – Heating solutions for affordable renovation”
This first webinar will take place online on 27 May (09:30–10:45 CET). This session will focus on one of the most critical aspects of renovation: heating systems, and their impact on affordability.
Heating systems are a central element of building renovation and one of the main drivers of costs. With the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the announced EU Heating & Cooling Strategy, decisions and debates around heating are becoming increasingly complex.
This session will provide a practical, cost-focused overview of heating solutions, looking at their impact on affordability, feasibility, and replicability, particularly for SMEs.
The webinar will start with an overview of the EU policy framework, including EPBD requirements, the phase-out of fossil fuels and the role of renewables in heating.
It will then move to practical considerations, examining:
- What drives the cost of heating choices
- The role of technologies such as heat pumps and hybrid systems
- The importance of building envelope improvements to reduce overall costs
A societal perspective and an interactive Q&A session will complement the discussion, ensuring a direct exchange between experts and participants.
27 May 2026
online, from 9:30 to 10:45 CET
Why heating is the affordability bottleneck
European Builders Confederation (EBC)
From EPBD to Heating Strategy
Serena PONTOGLIO, Team leader – Unit B3: Buildings and Products, DG Energy, European
From regulation to costs: what drives affordability in heating choices?
European Builders Confederation (EBC)
Technology focus: heating solutions in practice
⎯ Heat pumps & hybrid systems
Monica Di Pinti, European Heating Industry
⎯ Building envelope & system efficiency
Dimitar Kolichev, Eurima
A societal perspective: Heating and affordability
⎯ Energy communities in Italy
Sara Zoni, Innovacoop, Italy
Interactive Q&A: Choosing the right system
Conclusions & next steps
The Affordable Housing Initiative European Partnership, SHAPE II is receiving funding from the European Union’s Single Market Programme under Grant Agreement no. 101191186.