Savings Per Home and Energy Upgrade: What Will You Gain?
Soon, the new “Save at Home” program will be announced, which will boost private investment in homes to reduce energy consumption. Many of you are interested in joining the new program to secure the necessary financial incentives for the energy upgrade of your home. But do you know how much you will save from each energy upgrade you make?
A few words about the “Save at home” initiative
The Program provides incentives to beneficiaries to carry out the most important interventions to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, taking into account the size of the building, the extent of the interventions, and the climate zone. Legally existing buildings (with a building permit or legal document proving that the building exists legally) that have been classified according to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in a low energy category (in the previous “energy saving” program, category D was set as the upper limit).
The subsidy received by program beneficiaries depends on their annual income; the lower their income, the greater the amount of money they will receive for the energy upgrade of their building. The energy interventions that beneficiaries will implement in their buildings are based on the recommendations of the energy inspector and must fall into one of the following three categories (as presented in previous programs “Saving at Home”:
- Installation of thermal insulation in walls, columns and roofs or roofing
- Replacement of frames (frames / glass panes) and installation of systems for shading (shutters, roller blinds, awnings)
- Upgrade of the system heating and supply of hot water for domestic use (e.g. solar water heater, oil boiler oil, heat pump heat pump, energy-efficient fireplace)
What you gain from energy upgrades
Add thermal insulation to the shell and opaque surfaces of the building: Thermal insulation of a building (especially those with no or inadequate thermal insulation) contributes significantly to reducing energy consumption for cooling and heating. Thermal insulation of exterior walls is perhaps the most essential energy upgrade. This is because it not only reduces heat loss (losses from uninsulated exterior walls can exceed 35%) but also protects the building from external environmental conditions while giving it the desired aesthetic appearance. Consequently, it provides thermal comfort, energy and cost savings, and optimizes the marketability of the building. Today, thermal facades are widely used in existing buildings for the thermal insulation of walls and columns.
Thermal insulation of the roof is easier and more economical than insulating the exterior walls, but it essentially affects the top floor of the building more. The characteristic of thermal insulation in a building is its high initial cost, but it is certainly worth the investment to protect your building and reduce your bills.
Replacement of window frames
Replacing old windows greatly improves a building’s energy efficiency, providing thermal comfort and energy savings. The improvement is even more significant in buildings constructed before 1980 (the majority of Greek residential buildings), because most of them have single glazing and non-airtight frames, resulting in a large percentage of energy being lost through them. Replacing old window frames with new thermally insulated frames with double glazing or, even better, energy-efficient glazing, not only significantly reduces energy consumption and increases savings, but also offers:
- Better sound insulation
- Better protection against burglars
- Improved protection from solar radiation
- Combating the problem of water vapor condensation on windows
To keep the initial cost down, if the frames are in good shape, you can just replace the glass.
Replacing an old boiler with a higher efficiency system
In many cases, boiler/burner systems are old, oversized, and have low efficiency ratings, which increases fuel consumption. In addition, poor or inadequate maintenance of heating systems and inadequate insulation of the boiler and pipes further exacerbate the situation. Heat losses from an uninsulated boiler can exceed 5% of total fuel consumption. For this reason, the boiler and burner should be serviced annually and, in cases where consumption remains high, their replacement should be considered. Efficient systems with a high degree of efficiency should be selected, correctly dimensioned and equipped with sufficient automation for optimal and economical operation.
The most economical heating systems are high energy efficiency air conditioners (at least energy class A), heat pumps (high efficiency but high initial cost), biomass boilers (e.g., pellet), and natural gas boilers (especially condensing boilers).
Installation of solar collectors for hot water production
The production of hot water using electric water heaters or central heating systems accounts for a significant percentage of a building’s energy consumption. Using solar energy to produce hot water is an effective way to take advantage of the abundant sunshine in Greece and can cover 50-90% of annual hot water needs. By installing a solar water heater in your home, you save energy, earn money, and reduce air pollution. A solar water heater can save 30% to 80% of the electricity consumed by an electric water heater.
The importance of energy upgrades in existing buildings, especially those built before the 1980s without any thermal insulation (approximately 80% of Greek buildings), is undeniable. However, choosing the right energy-saving measures to achieve the best possible results from upgrading your building’s energy efficiency is a complex process. Therefore, before proceeding with the energy upgrade of your home, you should consult an engineer who will advise you on the energy upgrade measures that are suitable for your particular case. At the same time, they will inform you about the possibility of joining a financing program such as “I save at home.” By correctly prioritizing the interventions and selecting those that fit your available budget, the engineer will guide you in achieving the desired result.
Contact us to find out more about the launch of the new “Save Energy” program and to have us undertake the energy upgrade of your home.