Abstract Cold homes and energy poverty have been identified as major contributors to health and social inequality that could be alleviated through energy efficiency measures. In fact, the reduction of the number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU via energy reconstructions in buildings is one of the key targets of the Europe 2020 strategy. Research on energy poverty and health impacts of affordable warmth initiatives have primarily to date been conducted using quantitative and statistical methods, limiting the way how energy poverty is understood. This study took is a longitudinal approach that focused on Hellenic households during economic crisis. It and records the energy efficiency measures that were adopted during 2012–15 in order to overcome cold. The evidence of our research, is based on a comprehensive study of 491 questionnaires from low-income households mainly from North Greece. The findings show that around 37% of the sample face the energy poverty problem and around 50% could not afford to upgrade energy efficiency at their households, in order to addresses the problem as its roots. In general, the results show that improving the energy efficiency of homes at risk of energy poverty has a profound impact on wellbeing and quality of life.