In recent years, the number of energy-efficient homes has increased a lot. This is one of the main trends in the real estate and domestic systems market. However, this positive development is now being impacted by the gradual withdrawal of incentives that encouraged the adoption of eco-friendly solutions in Italian homes.

A stalled trend?

The latest edition of the Green Home Smart Home Observatory, which is based on a proprietary model developed by Eumetra to assess home energy efficiency (taking into account factors such as insulation, systems, appliances, and lighting), clearly illustrates the impact of these regulatory changes. Until 2023, improvements were steady, albeit gradual. However, with the suspension of the Superbonus,* the process came to an abrupt halt.

Italy is still inefficient, but improving

As shown in the graph below, the proportion of inefficient homes fell from 76% to 66% between 2018 and 2024, indicating a gradual but concrete shift towards more sustainable housing. At the same time, there has been a slight but growing increase in homes classified as efficient or very efficient, particularly in 2023 and 2024, when these two categories will reach a combined total of 12% and 13%, respectively.

Trend efficient homes

Source: Green Home Smart Home Observatory – Eumetra

This evolution is partly attributable to tax incentives, such as the Superbonus, which have supported efficiency measures. However, suspending these measures could jeopardise the continuity of this positive trend. Therefore, the 2023 and 2024 data risk representing a temporary peak rather than the beginning of structural growth.

Nevertheless, Italian households are clearly more aware of energy efficiency, partly driven by the desire to reduce consumption and improve living comfort.

The home at the heart of family life

Despite this setback, home continues to play a central role in the lives of Italian families. But will this be enough to consolidate energy efficiency trends?

A new edition of the Green Home Smart Home Observatory is being launched to monitor and analyse the evolution of the ecological transition in Italy and in the main European countries (France, Germany, Spain, UK), and to answer this question.

What the Observatory offers:

The Observatory remains a valuable tool for all those involved in the home supply chain and allows you to:

  • predict trends in the domestic technology and systems market by analysing current equipment and purchasing propensity;
  • analyse the customer journey, i.e. the purchasing process for systems and housing solutions;
  • identify drivers and barriers that favour or hinder the adoption of efficient solutions;
  • segment households and define the most promising targets for commercial and strategic actions.

Additionally, the Observatory continues to monitor active tax incentives and subsidised financing plans for green homes and high-efficiency systems.

The experience of home and future plans

The survey also explores other fundamental aspects, including:

  • the experience of the home, analysing the impact of new habits, such as smart working, and the times of day when the home is ‘active’.
  • It also looks at attitudes towards home care. In general, Italians pay attention to their homes and want to make them welcoming. However, there have been signs of a decline in this commitment recently, probably due to the high cost of living and economic uncertainties.
  • Future plans, such as moving house or renovating, are closely linked to life stages (cohabitation, the arrival of a child, separation, etc.).
  • The ideal home is explored to better understand people’s desires, expectations and future needs in terms of living.

A survey for the entire supply chain

The Observatory meets the needs of all the players in the home supply chain:

  • real estate, construction and thermal insulation companies;
  • manufacturers of appliances and furniture;
  • home retail chains;
  • utilities and suppliers of energy and green solutions.

With the launch of the new edition, the Green Home Smart Home Observatory further cements its position as an invaluable resource for predicting market trends and promoting a more sustainable and eco-conscious future, including within the home.

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* The government incentive introduced by Italy in 2020 to boost energy efficiency and seismic safety in residential buildings and aligned with EU climate goals.