Residents in Alsace are stepping up to the climate challenge thanks to local government funding and the EU. Households can call on the help of energy efficiency advisors when renovating their homes and can sometimes slash bills by 75%. Find out how with E

Reporter: Helping Households To Go Green

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14950094/M003-0050-EN.srt

The EP is going to approve   legislative measures on energy efficiency

to help Europeans save at least   20% energy in the coming decades.

It's a region that combines energy   efficiency and social development.

The day starts early for Sébastien Laub.

He's one of six travelling energy efficiency   advisors for the Alsace region in France.

A last glance at the map,   and let's go.

8:30am.   Meeting at the construction site.

It's a private house. We're going   to see the work that is in progress on it,

to reduce its energy consumption   three-fold.

Sébastian's job is to advise citizens   who are insulating their homes.

Energievie is a project   of the Alsace region

which has been investing   in energy efficiency since 2003.

The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions   and halve electricity and heating bills.

The decision is made   and we know what has to be done.

It's a little bit more expensive   but it's an investment.

as you have to know what to do   and get advice on things.

Pierre Hirlemann, special adviser   for EDF, advises Mrs Haxaire.

Eléctricité de France   signed an agreement with Alsace.

EDF finances the materials   while the region chooses the projects

that small entrepreneurs and craftsmen   learn how to save energy.

When the work is done, Mrs Haxaire   will save three-quarters of her gas bill.

They are mainly insulated here,   with wood fibre insulation.

A thick layer is used but it has   been covered up so can't be seen.

Up in the attic, there is a box that allows   energy to be captured from the air,

warm air from the house,   which is fed through a box

and is mixed with cold air from outside   to ventilate the house.

But in Alsace, social housing   is the priority in terms of saving energy.

In the outskirts of Strasbourg   many buildings

have been wrapped with polystyrene   to insulate the interiors.

Double glazing and photovoltaic panels   complete the work.

Entrepreneurs get 45%   of the public funds,

but they have to prove the reduction   of the bill at the end of the month.

where they have   put solar panels in place

The companies that   have carried out this work,

If a building's energy consumption hasn't   gone down 5 years after the renovation,

companies have to pay   part of the funds back.

who manages this building   and its 72 apartments.

With solar panels, external insulation   in the roof and terrace,

replacement of external woodwork and   hygro-regulated ventilation,

there is a decrease in primary energy   consumption of 50%.

65 million euros to spend in 7 years.   9 million are European funds.

Bruno Flochon is working on a new   campaign to reduce energy consumption.

Social housing is a priority   as it's a huge consumer of energy.

There is also a social purpose   as the people living here

often have limited funds so   it's important to reduce their bills

as soon as possible, in order to improve   their standard of living.

Looking ahead, with   the rise in energy prices,

their bills are in danger   of increasing dramatically.

Sébastian leaves for a new mission.   The objectives are ambitious.

This year, the region   will finance only housing

which will become autonomous   in terms of energy consumption.