The average energy consumption per dwelling decreased sharply in most EU countries in 2009. It is below its 2000 level in almost 2/3 of countries in 2009. Energy efficiency improved by 23 % at EU level in the household sector between 1990 and 2009 (1.4%/year on average) mainly because of significant energy efficiency gains for large electrical appliances (27%) as well as for space heating (25%).