THE IMPACT OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS ON ENERGY EXPENDITURES OF HOUSEHOLD

In 2018, the European Union imported 58 percent and Croatia 50 percent of all forms of energy. The EU has allocated around 350 billion euros for the import of various forms of energy and is the largest importer of energy in the world. The European Union has recognized and confirmed that energy efficiency is Europe's most important source of energy. In addition, reduced primary energy consumption has the effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which has a positive impact on climate change. Energy efficiency is one of the five dimensions of the Energy Union. As an EU member, Croatia is implementing an EU energy policy. Increased energy efficiency reduces energy import dependence and affects the growth of gross domestic product. Households are a significant consumer of energy. In Croatia, about 32 percent of final energy is consumed in households. It is estimated that about 62 percent of energy is spent on space heating, 15 percent on lighting and electrical appliances, 12 percent on cooking and 11 percent on domestic hot water preparation. About 1.5 million are inhabited dwellings and houses, of which 54% are detached houses and 46 percent, are houses with more than one dwelling. More than 75 percent are over 20 years old. Most buildings in Croatia are rated as E or F energy class. Building has been recognized as a segment of significant energy savings that can be achieved through energy efficiency. In the Energy Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia until 2030, with a view to 2050, most of the planned investments, about 50 percent, relate to investments in buildings. The paper analyzes two examples of the application of energy policy that result in a reduction of energy consumption in Croatia. The first example is the renovation of residential buildings in Pakrac, which began in 2016 and was completed by 2019, and the second example is the installation of heat distributors by the beginning of 2016 in apartment buildings in Zagreb. In both analyzed examples, significant savings in energy consumption and household heating expenditures were achieved. At the end of the paper, the impact of reduced energy consumption on lower energy imports is assessed, which has a direct impact on the GDP growth in Croatia.