Sustainability in Winter: Start by Insulating!
Gas prices continue to rise, and the expectation is that they will remain high or even increase further in the coming years. That’s why it’s wise to save as much as possible on these costs by making your home as sustainable as possible.
A fairly easy way to start is by insulating! And with a bit of luck, you may even get a subsidy for it. So, get going and see what’s possible for your home and your situation.
Insulation options
There are several ways to insulate your home. You can insulate your exterior walls or facade, install HR glass or triple glass, or add roof or floor insulation.
Begin by insulating the areas of your home where the most heat escapes. You can, for example, have a thermal scan of your house done to find out where heat is lost.
It’s also a good way to check if the existing or newly installed insulation is (still) functioning properly. Older insulation can sag over the years and cause moisture or other issues.
Once you know what you want to insulate, you’ll want to know the cost. Some small projects are easy and not too expensive to do yourself. However, for insulating the facade or exterior walls, installing HR glass or triple glass, or adding roof or floor insulation, you’ll need a professional—and thus a larger budget.
That’s why it’s a good idea to request quotes from different providers and compare them carefully.
Sustainability and Subsidies
If you already own a home, you can use your savings or take out a personal loan if needed.
But you can also take out or extend a mortgage—for example, when buying or renovating your home or for getting a lower interest rate. You can often request an additional amount on your mortgage specifically for sustainability measures.
There’s usually an attractive low interest rate available for this. Under certain conditions, you’re even allowed to borrow thousands of euros on top of your maximum mortgage, as long as you use it for energy-saving measures. And don’t forget about the subsidies for making your home more sustainable.
A knowledgeable mortgage advisor can help you greatly with this and ensure you see the most cost-effective options.
Below you’ll find an overview of some possible methods of insulation that can ultimately save you money. Make the most of it!
Sealing Cracks and Gaps
It may sound very simple. However, by insulating gaps and cracks, you can achieve significant energy savings in the short term with a small investment. By using draught excluders and sealant, you can quickly enhance your home, especially if there was significant draught.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity wall insulation is a quick and smart way to insulate, and it can be installed by an expert in just one day. The earn back period for this investment is around three to four years.
Exterior Wall Insulation
It’s not always possible to insulate your interior walls, but you can often insulate them on the outside. This means your facade gets a kind of “coat” on the exterior, providing necessary warmth retention.
Roof and Floor Insulation
If you’re considering energy-saving measures and your floor is still missing proper insulation, it’s a good idea to address that. Floor insulation prevents cold feet and saves energy. It also makes it harder for moist air from the crawl space to enter your home.
Insulating your roof is also a wise move, even if the attic isn’t used or heated. Heat rises, including the heat from the rooms in your home that you do heat. Without insulation, much of that heat will escape through an uninsulated roof.
Glass Insulation
Glass insulation or installing HR glass or triple glass can help reduce cold drafts in your home. This both saves energy and improves living comfort. The investment costs can be reduced by taking advantage of various subsidies and special loans.
Pipes and Radiators
Insulate pipes (for example, in uninsulated spaces) and install radiator foil to reduce heat loss.
Earn back Period of Investments
The time it takes to recoup an investment in sustainability naturally varies depending on the specific improvement. Especially with higher energy prices, it always holds true that you pay for a renovation or purchase, but you have fewer monthly energy expenses to cover.
Therefore, it is wise to find out how long it will take to recoup your investment.
For example, cavity wall insulation typically pays for itself within three to four years, while sealing cracks and gaps can pay off almost immediately. Of course, it’s helpful to get assistance when exploring all possibilities and regulations—and fortunately, help is close at hand.
Nobel Mortgages
We understand that it can be difficult to assess what is and isn’t a wise investment.
Don’t worry. We at Nobel Mortgages are happy to help you by providing high-quality financial advice and think with you on all fronts.
Do you want a mortgage advisor who looks beyond the conventional and analyzes all the possibilities for you? Contact our experienced and enthusiastic team quickly.
Then contact our experienced and enthusiastic team soon. We are available to you 24 hours a day with the utmost commitment and sincere attention. You can easily reach them by email at info@nobelhypotheken.nl or by calling or messaging 06-54770122.
We are here to help with personalized advice and to guide you through every step of the process.
Relevant information
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