- Blog
It’s a hot topic these days: sustainability and sustainable living! And that, of course, is for good reason.
A more sustainable home gives you many benefits. You increase your living comfort, you lower your energy bills and you contribute to the environment. Two out of three homes in the Netherlands are not yet properly insulated.
That’s a shame, because insulation is the way to save energy.
Lower gas consumption also means less CO2 emissions, so you’ll earn your money back with lower energy bills. It often starts with a draft strip and may end with glass insulation or a heat pump.
Fortunately, there are special grants and loans to make your home more sustainable; we discuss these options below. Then we will let you know how these measures can possibly be paid for and then the saving can begin.
What can you do to live sustainably?
Glass insulation
Glass insulation can help reduce cold flows in the home, thus providing both savings and improved living comfort. Investment costs can be reduced by taking advantage of various grants and loans.
Installing solar panels
Solar panels, of course, can also contribute very well to keeping costs down. Especially if you combine them with air conditioners, underfloor heating and electric cooking.
Again, a substantial investment is required, but nowadays there are also several options for obtaining a grant or a loan for this.
Despite the debate over feed-in costs and the ending of the balancing scheme, solar panels are still ideal for providing for one’s own energy consumption.
Purchasing a heat pump
It is a hefty investment but buying a heat pump, instead of a central heating boiler, can save you a lot in the long run.
In a moderately insulated corner house, a hybrid heat pump will save you about €650 a year on your energy bill.
Starting in 2026, it is mandatory to purchase a hybrid heat pump (or variant) when your central heating boiler needs to be replaced. The payback period of a heat pump is about 5 to 10 years.
Improve energy label
A home’s energy label also remains of great importance when taking out a new mortgage. Since Jan. 1, 2024, the energy label determines the maximum amount of mortgage you can get.
These rules will remain unchanged in 2025. In addition, mortgage lenders want an increasingly sustainable portfolio. And if you go for a house with label E, F or G, you can simply borrow extra for sustainability in 2025.
The government and many banks want to encourage you to refurbish the house as well as make it more economical.
Options to finance sustainability
There are several ways you can pay for the preservation of your home. What is an appropriate choice depends entirely on your personal situation. In any case, the following options are available and can be discussed with your mortgage advisor….
Use your savings
Paying for the sustainable modifications to your home with savings is often the most advantageous. It does depend on the remodeling costs and the amount of your savings.
If your savings exceed 57,000 euros (per partner), then it is certainly interesting to use your savings. After all, you pay tax on these savings. Do you still not have enough balance in your savings account?
Then ask what is possible with your mortgage broker, they can help and provide you with sound advice.
You can extend your mortgage
You can also pay for the preservation of your home by increasing your mortgage. But beware, due to higher closing costs, this is only wise if the renovation amount is at least €25,000. You must also take into account a repayment period of 30 years.
It is most convenient to take out a higher mortgage when you buy your new home. You won’t have to incur additional costs for renovations. Moreover, you can borrow a higher amount if you are going to spend the money on making your house more sustainable.
Taking out a personal loan
Taking out a personal loan is another option to arrange financing for your preservation project. This loan usually runs for up to 15 years and often has a higher interest rate than a mortgage.
Consider carefully whether the renovation is worth this investment. Good to know, if you take out your personal loan to improve your own home and pay off kerurig during the term, the interest is tax deductible.
Subsidy for making it more sustainable
Many modifications that make your home more energy efficient require substantial investments. Sometimes it is possible to get a subsidy for this from the government.
Both the national, provincial and municipal governments offer various grants and loans with favorable terms for making your home more sustainable. There are several websites that provide a complete overview of the concessions, whether national, local or regional.
Recovering your investment
Of course, how long it takes you to recoup an investment in preservation varies with each modification. Especially with higher energy prices, the rule always applies, you pay for a remodel or purchase, but you’ll have to pay fewer monthly charges for energy.
It is therefore a good idea to find out how long it will take to recover the costs. A cavity wall insulation, for example, pays for itself within 3 to 4 years, but the payback time of a heat pump is much longer, 5 to 10 years.
Mortgage2Go
Do you have certainty about what you can borrow maximum for a mortgage and want to go house hunting with peace of mind?
Then Mortgage2Go offers the solution. With a pre-checked amount, you already have the financing in place and can be sure you can pay for your dream home.
Start a mortgage application and see if you qualify.
Relevant information
Preserve your home with a mortgage
