Single-family and semi-detached houses offer high potentials for energy-savings. Three energy saving measures in particular are responsible for the possible reduction of primary energy requirement: insulation of facade walls and roofs and the use of renewable energy heating systems. Unfortunately the current refurbishment rates are too low to tap the potential in the near term. A recalibration of regulatory instruments and subsidy programs could allow us to better address and exploit those energy savings measures that offer the greatest potential for energy savings in existing single-family and semi-detached housing.