Analyses in the light of the social, health and environmental impacts of poor energy efficiency, housing conditions, energy-efficiency levels, affordability and satisfaction with housing in 14 European countries using data from the European Community Housing Panel (EHCP) for 1994-97. Examines the three main housing condition typologies resulting from this major empirical analysis, showing serious housing deprivation in southern Europe and problems of overcrowding and damp in northern Europe. Concludes that government intervention is needed to rectify the market failure to improve energy-efficiency levels particularly in southern Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland and supports retrofitting programmes aimed at improving housing standards as providing tangible net gain. Tables cover European population, dwelling numbers and mean occupancy, dwelling types and tenure, results from the ECHP analysis including housing conditions: cumulative results. References. [Taken from journal abstract].