Portugal study finds HVAC waste; Loulé to invest €200k in school upgrades

A technical study by Saint‑Gobain Solutions Portugal shows that low‑performance HVAC ductwork in Portuguese buildings can lose over 7,000 kWh a year, costing more than €1,000 annually for a 200 m² service building. The company’s CLIMAVER® pre‑insulated duct system reduces those losses to about 330 kWh per year, roughly €50 in annual cost, and cuts embedded carbon by 22.6 kg CO₂‑eq per m².

The municipality of Loulé will spend €200,000 to survey thermal comfort and energy needs in its public schools, preparing for future air‑conditioning installations. The diagnostic phase covers two geographic lots that include several school groups, aiming to improve learning environments while supporting the town’s climate‑action goals.