What can you do to make your home more sustainable?

Having your own home is wonderful, but it also comes with its fair share of expenses. The costs of heating your home have risen significantly in recent years. So, how great is it when you can save on your energy bill and contribute to a better environment by making your home more sustainable!

Some investments pay off quickly, while others take a bit longer. But don’t worry, there are subsidies and various loan options that can help you with sustainability efforts.

No matter what you want to tackle, whether small or large projects, there are more possibilities than you might think. We will discuss the small and large possibilities below.

1. Sealing gaps and cracks.

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.

2. Using energy-efficient appliances.

Also, without making any investments, you can save a lot on energy. For example, by being smart about household appliances and doing laundry during off-peak hours. Without significant investments, there are already more possibilities than you might think.

3. Installing solar panels.

Solar panels can, of course, contribute significantly to reducing costs. Here, too, a significant investment is desired, but nowadays, there are also multiple possibilities to obtain a subsidy or a loan for this purpose.

4. Insulating the cavity walls of your home.

Cavity wall insulation is a quick and smart way to insulate, and it can be installed by an expert in just one day. The payback period for this investment is approximately 3 to 4 years.

5. Glass insulation

Glass insulation can help reduce heat loss in your home and, therefore, provide both savings and an improvement in living comfort. The investment costs can be reduced by taking advantage of various subsidies and loans.

6. Purchasing a heat pump.

It’s a significant investment initially, but purchasing a heat pump instead of a traditional boiler can yield significant savings in the long term. With a hybrid heat pump, you can save approximately €650 per year on your energy bill in a moderately insulated corner house.
Starting in 2026, it will be mandatory to purchase a hybrid heat pump (or equivalent) when replacing your boiler. The payback period for a heat pump is approximately 5 to 10 years.

How am I supposed to pay for that?

There are various ways to finance the sustainability improvements to your home. What is a suitable choice depends entirely on your personal situation. The following options are available.

Using your savings.

Paying for the sustainable improvements to your home with savings is often the most cost-effective option. It does depend on the renovation costs and the amount of your savings. If your savings exceed 57,000 euros (per partner), then it’s certainly worthwhile to use your savings. That’s because you pay taxes on this savings.

Do you not have enough balance in your savings account? Then, inquire with your mortgage advisor about the options, as they can assist you and provide sound advice.

You can extend your mortgage.

You can also finance the sustainability improvements to your home by increasing your mortgage. But beware, due to the higher closing costs, this is only advisable if the renovation amount is at least € 25,000 You should also consider a repayment period of 30 years.

The most convenient approach is to increase the mortgage right from the start when purchasing your new home. This way, you don’t have to incur additional expenses for renovations. Additionally, you are allowed to borrow a higher amount if you are going to use the money to make your home more sustainable.

Taking out a personal loan.

Taking out a personal loan is also an option to arrange financing for your sustainability efforts. This loan typically has a maximum period of 15 years and often carries a higher interest rate than a mortgage.

Consider carefully whether the renovation is worth this investment. Good to know, if you take out a personal loan for the improvement of your own home and repay it properly during the term, the interest is tax deductible.

Applying for subsidies for sustainability.

Many improvements that make your home more energy-efficient require substantial investments. Sometimes, it is possible to receive subsidies from the government for this purpose.

Both the national government, the province, and the municipality offer various subsidies and loans with favorable terms for making your home more sustainable. There are various websites that provide a comprehensive overview of the available subsidies, both at the national and local or regional levels.

More about government subsidies.

Payback period for 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, you can recover the cost of cavity wall insulation within 3 to 4 years, but the payback period for a heat pump is much longer, namely 5 to 10 years.

Nobel Mortgages

We understand that it can be difficult to assess what is and isn’t a wise investment. No worries!

We at Nobel Mortgages are happy to help you by providing high-quality financial advice and think with you on all fronts. We always go the extra mile for our (potential) clients, truly analyze all possibilities and, when necessary, always think outside the box.

In this way, we ensure that we can achieve what others cannot. In other words, we are fully dedicated to helping you obtain the best mortgage or loan that suits you perfectly and, of course, aligns completely with your situation and preferences.

Do you also want an advisor who looks outside the box and really analyzes all the possibilities for you? Then contact our experienced and enthusiastic team soon. We are available to you 24 hours a day with the utmost commitment and sincere attention. An e-mail is a snap to info@nobelhypotheken.nl or call or app to 06-54770122.