Method:
Based on a compilation of existing data, those individual living conditions, building specifics, settlement structural qualities and housing law framework conditions were identified in which a clustered occurrence of energy poverty is to be expected. As a result, the methodological backbone of DECLEAR was developed: a matrix providing characteristic cases of energy poverty and an approximate frequency scale. Using this matrix, 20 households were determined as exemplary cases for consultation. The effort required to identify households affected by energy poverty and to involve them in the project by providing advice on behavior and measures was very high. In addition to the households, two multi-apartment buildings were surveyed. In three stakeholder workshops, a broad range of practical expertise was brought into the project and the obtained results were critically reflected.

Outcomes:
Findings on conducive and inhibiting boundary conditions, on scope of action and need for action required in the areas of housing law, social support, subsidies, construction and building technology were presented. Furthermore, respective working aids such as a calculation tool for comparing investment and operating costs of different decarbonization measures were developed. The most important findings can be summarized as follows: Energy poverty has different forms: Excessive energy expenditures, or "hidden" energy poverty due to consumption avoidance. In addition, the unaffordability of decarbonization investments is also identified as a manifestation of energy poverty. Households effected by energy poverty are often unable to make any investment at all. Therefore, energy poverty alleviation through heating conversion in general and also with regard to decarbonization is rarely possible. In contrast, thermal renovation measures prove to be more suitable in this matter. Prioritizing thermal refurbishment is important because it is the only way to achieve a sustainable reduction in consumption. The principle applies: "For households effected by energy poverty, saved energy is the best energy." The lack of scope for household action is identified as the most urgent problem in the urban context. In the rural context, widespread omissions concerning thermal refurbishment of the building envelope are the main problem. Finally, it should be noted that energy poverty is increasingly affecting the demand for cooling energy, and therefore sun protection measures should also be considered in the course of thermal refurbishment.