The Romanian industry of joinery for insulated windows and building insulation systems reaches a production level of over 1 billion euros annually, and 45% of the products are dedicated to the local market. Romania is the ninth largest global producer of such systems, and Italy is the main recipient. The industry could further increase the efficiency of buildings in Romania if there were new laws and subsidies, and the AFM is preparing a “Rabla” program for insulated windows that could also include motorized roller shutter systems, Somfy officials claim.
“Romanians would need subsidies that include both modern windows and roller shutter systems to achieve improved building efficiency, but also new legislation and education of the population, who do not know what savings can be achieved with shading systems, in addition to just the simple use of insulating windows. And with motorized shading roller systems, controlled by phone, the house can be effectively insulated remotely even when we are at work, or elsewhere, before we get home,” Martin Salome, Managing Director Somfy, Romania, Baltics, Hungary & Balkans, told Energynomics.
“Subsidies are not enough if the public does not understand the benefits of using motorized shading systems, which increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption,” adds Virgil Lixandru, Sales Director, Somfy, Romania, Baltic sand CIS Countries. The growth of the motorized roller shutter market in Romania in 2024 was 8% and was mainly due to the residential segment, he says, while the more mature EU market grew by 4%. In France, 75% of new buildings are equipped with such dynamic external shading systems, while in Romania the market covers only 6%.
However, with the cessation of the energy price cap system, consumers in Romania will also have a growing interest in adopting home efficiency systems. And subsidies could help consumers and the market to develop.
“We are trying to come to the Ministry of Environment with some proposals for financing concepts that are as easy as possible. It must be easy to apply both by the Environmental Authority and for the beneficiary, to understand as easily as possible, to get started and to bear the costs,” says Mihai Moia, Executive Director, ROENEF Romania. “A program like this, the Rabla pentru termopane, as it was called, must be a simple program, accessible to everyone, both during the application and during the implementation of the project,” adds Mihai Moia.
Energy efficiency and smart home solutions
A survey conducted by Somfy Romania shows that motorized exterior roller shutters significantly improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort in homes. The study, conducted on a sample of 304 individual homeowners, aimed to evaluate the impact of these exterior shading systems on energy consumption and the general comfort of the home.
About 73% of respondents reported savings on energy bills after installing exterior window shading systems and 65.1% of respondents confirmed that automated roller shutters reduce the need for additional heating on colder days, while 78.6% of respondents reported increased thermal comfort in summer, due to the reduction of heat and sunlight.
In addition, 67.4% reported better thermal comfort during the winter, thanks to the insulating effect of external shading systems.
The study also showed that the main reason why people install external roller shutters is protection against the sun and overheating (the most important reason), followed by the need for privacy, comfort and reducing energy costs. At the same time, it was found that the integration of smart solutions and sensors (sun, temperature and wind) increases user satisfaction and increases the efficiency of shading systems.
According to the study, respondents mainly associate energy efficiency with reducing energy consumption (19.4%) and efficient use of energy (6.6%). An important aspect is that automated external roller shutters have proven to be a practical solution for increasing energy savings and thermal comfort, especially when combined with smart automation systems.
A step towards energy efficiency
“Our study confirms that motorized roller shutters play a key role in increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and improving home comfort. At a time when homeowners are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly solutions, automated shading systems are a smart investment that reduces energy bills and ensures increased comfort in any season,” explained Virgil Lixandru.
Windows play a key role in the energy balance of buildings. As the main source of solar energy in the home, windows transmit an average of 500 W/m2 of light and have the greatest impact on indoor temperature at different times of the year.
A recent study entitled “The intersection of architectural conservation and energy efficiency: a case study of heritage buildings in Romania” examined energy losses in buildings in Romania caused by inadequate insulation, focusing in particular on windows. Thermographic analysis revealed temperature variations around the windows, with some areas reaching up to 14.1 °C, indicating substantial energy inefficiency. The study suggested that replacing or upgrading these windows could lead to energy savings of up to 18.16%.
These studies highlight the crucial role of proper window insulation in reducing energy losses and improving the energy efficiency of buildings in Romania.
An effective solution is the installation of intelligently controlled external shading systems to efficiently manage energy flow.
Somfy motorized external shading systems ensure increased comfort in the home. After integration into the control center and activation of the ”thermal comfort” program, the roller shutters open automatically during the day to allow solar heat to warm the home. In the evening, they close to maintain the heat accumulated inside. This mode of operation can reduce heating costs by 10-30%. On hot days, automated exterior roller shutters reduce the temperature in the house by 4-7°C.
