Background Over 40% of the energy used in the European Union is for operating buildings, of which 70% is for heating. Furthermore, energy consumption for the heating and cooling of buildings continues to grow, and so increases CO2 emissions. Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings is one of the most cost-effective means of contributing to the EU’s Kyoto commitments. Objectives The project aimed to demonstrate two new products that could improve the thermal performance of existing buildings. The first would combine radiation heat loss reduction and weather proofing by introducing an innovative reflective technology into a breathable weather-barrier membrane. This membrane could be used in the roofs and walls of buildings to improve their thermal insulation. The energy savings were estimated at up to 30%, with a pay back time of 5-10 years. The second product is an "easy to install" panel that could be used inside walls, floors and ceilings to reduce heating and cooling energy consumption. It would be the first panel on the market capable of absorbing high amounts of heat from solar radiation during the day and of releasing this heat during the night. It could be retrofitted into existing buildings. The energy savings were estimated at between 20 and 60%, with a pay back time of possibly 10 years Results The project successfully met its objectives and developed two products: 1. A thermal mass panel, under the name DuPont™ Energain®, which absorbs heat in the daytime and releases it in the night. This panel successfully evens out temperature and reduces energy consumption in buildings in the range of the initial forecasts i.e., from 20 to 60%. 2. A system based on reflective membranes, named DuPont™ Climate Systems is combining the latest generation of low-emissivity with a vapour open membrane: o DuPont™ Tyvek® Enercor® placed on the cold side of the traditional insulation; o DuPont™ AirGuard, a reflective VCL, on the warm side of the traditional insulation. The thermal performance of the wall cavities with the new metallised products has exceeded the expected values and the temperature difference of the roof set-ups with the outside reflective underlay are distinctively larger than without the reflective underlay. The two systems developed under the project are of clear environmental relevance: both aim to reduce the energy consumption required, and hence the environmental impact of, heating and cooling of buildings. The beneficiary provided an assessment of the energy savings that each of the two products can generate under ‘typical’ conditions: 1. A 200 m2 building fitted with Energain thermal mass panels might save between 4 011 kWh and 6 101 kWh depending on its location in Europe. Furthermore, according to the beneficiary, if just 0.1 % of buildings in need of renovation in France to conform with thermal regulation RT2005 were fitted with Energain, the savings generated would reach 120 M kWh. 2. A house with 150 m2 of roof surface and 100 m2 of wall surface might save 1 542 kWh/year if it was fitted with Enercor Climate systems. This would result in economic savings ranging from €93 - €231/year, depending on the type of fuel used. This saving does not include the depreciation of the investment in additional (Climate Systems) insulation. These examples show that the energy savings and financial savings which Energain and Climate Systems could generate are substantial. The calculation also indicates the environmental and energy-related added value of the products developed under this project. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).