In recent summers, a term has become increasingly common: the heat wave. In several European countries, including Luxembourg, temperatures have reached record levels, and on some days, opening a window almost feels like turning on a hairdryer.
Just a few years ago, many associated this type of heat with southern European countries. Today, it is part of the daily life of millions of Europeans. This raises an essential question: are our homes ready to face an increasingly hot climate?
This is not just a simple impression. According to the European State of the Climate 2024 report published by Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Europe is currently the fastest warming continent in the world, with a warming rate about twice that of the global average.
Extreme heat episodes are also becoming more frequent. In 2024, nearly 60% of European territory experienced more days of "high thermal stress" than average, when the perceived temperature reaches at least 32 °C.
At Albalux Crédit, we believe that buying a home is not just about meeting the needs of today. It is also about imagining how it will be nice to live there in 10, 20, or 30 years.
🌡️ Heat waves are becoming more frequent in Europe.
🏠 Good insulation improves comfort in summer as well as in winter.
💶 An efficient home consumes less energy.
📄 The EPC is an essential indicator before a real estate purchase.
Why do houses heat up so much?
Imagine a bottle of water left in a car in the middle of summer. When you return, the water is lukewarm, or even hot.
The same goes for a home.
When the sun hits for hours the walls, the roof, or the windows, these materials store heat. If the building is poorly insulated or lacks effective solar protections, this heat eventually penetrates inside and stays there, even after sunset.
That’s why it is not uncommon for the house to still be warm at 10 PM, while the outside temperature has already dropped.
Small gestures that make a big difference
The good news is that it is not always necessary to install an air conditioning system to improve the comfort of a home.
A few simple habits can already make a real difference.
- Close the shutters and curtains during the hottest hours. It may seem paradoxical to keep the house in darkness in broad daylight, but this barrier effectively limits the entry of heat.
- Air out early in the morning or late in the evening. At these times of the day, the air is generally cooler and helps to refresh the indoor temperature.
- Avoid using the oven during the hottest hours. An oven running for an hour can significantly heat up the kitchen. On hot days, a salad, barbecue, or cold meal are often better options.
- Turn off devices that you are not using. TVs, computers, and even chargers emit heat. Individually, this may seem insignificant, but together they contribute to raising the temperature.
And when it comes to buying a house?
For a long time, criteria such as location, number of bedrooms, or proximity to the workplace were the main concerns.
Today, another factor is becoming increasingly important: the ability of the housing to withstand extreme temperatures.
At Albalux Crédit, we find that more and more buyers want to know about aspects such as:
- Is the house well insulated?
- Are the windows equipped with double or triple glazing?
- Is the roof properly insulated?
- Is the ventilation efficient?
- Is the energy performance certificate favorable?
These characteristics not only help to keep the coolness in summer but also the warmth in winter, while reducing energy consumption throughout the year.
Before buying a home, check:
✔ Orientation of the house
✔ Roof insulation
✔ Wall insulation
✔ Type of glazing
✔ Presence of shutters
✔ Ventilation
✔ Energy class
✔ Sun exposure
✔ Green spaces
✔ Possibility to install solar protections
Energy efficiency: much more than savings on bills
When talking about energy efficiency, many immediately think of savings on electricity or heating. This is true, but today, it also plays an essential role in how a house reacts to high heat.
A high-performance home is not only meant to retain heat in winter. It also helps to prevent heat from entering in summer. It's a bit like a thermos: it maintains a more stable temperature, regardless of the outside conditions.
According to the European Climate Agency Copernicus, heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, longer, and more intense in Europe. Designing or renovating a home to improve its summer comfort is therefore an investment in its long-term resilience.
Let's take the example of two neighboring houses on a day when the thermometer reaches 35 °C. The first benefits from good insulation, efficient windows, and solar protections. The second has old windows and little protection from the sun. By late afternoon, the first will likely remain relatively comfortable, while the second will accumulate a heat that is difficult to bear.
This is where elements such as wall and roof insulation, double or triple glazing, exterior shutters, and effective ventilation come into play. Together, they help reduce reliance on air conditioning, decrease energy consumption, and improve daily comfort.
In Luxembourg, the energy performance certificate (EPC) is already an important criterion when buying a property. Beyond estimating energy consumption, it also provides insights into the behavior of the housing, both in winter and during the hottest days.
At Albalux Crédit, we are convinced that focusing on energy efficiency is investing in the future. An efficient home is generally more comfortable, more economical to maintain, and better prepared for the challenges of a changing climate. When considering housing in the long term, this criterion deserves as much attention as its geographical location or its size.
Climate change is also transforming the real estate market
Heat waves are just one of the many manifestations of climate change.
In the coming years, extreme weather events, such as heat waves, heavy rains, or storms, are expected to become more frequent. Homes will therefore need to be designed differently.
The European State of the Climate 2024 report highlights that 2024 has been the hottest year ever recorded in Europe. The same report also emphasizes a multiplication of extreme heat episodes, droughts, and severe weather events that are already influencing the way buildings and cities are designed.
There is already more talk of roofs that reflect heat better, more efficient facades, trees providing natural shade, or materials capable of maintaining a more stable indoor temperature.
This evolution will not happen overnight, but it is already well underway in the real estate market.
A comfortable home is a home oriented towards the future
Imagine two very similar houses.
In one, it is essential to run the air conditioning all summer to be able to sleep properly. In the other, thanks to good insulation and an effective solar protection, the temperature remains pleasant for a large part of the day.
At first glance, they seem identical. However, over the years, the comfort of living will be very different.
It is precisely this type of detail that takes on its full importance when considering a house as an investment for many years.
Thinking about tomorrow starts today
No one can control the climate. However, we can make wiser choices regarding where we live.
Experts today agree on one point: adapting housing to new climate realities has become as important as reducing energy consumption. Summer comfort is now an integral part of a building's overall performance.
At Albalux Credit, we support families every day in their search for the ideal home for their future. And this future increasingly involves comfortable, efficient homes ready to face a constantly changing climate.
Because a good house is
not just a well-located house or one with a beautiful kitchen. It is
also one where you can rest peacefully, even when summer
seems to never want to give a break.
Before signing a sales agreement, take the time to assess the thermal comfort and energy performance of the property. At Albalux Credit, we assist you in financing your real estate project while helping you identify the criteria that will make a difference in the long term.