More and more e-homes are being built. This type of home has no gas connection and generates its own energy. Since 2018, new-build homes in the Netherlands are no longer connected to the natural gas network. By 2050, existing homes must switch over. So everyone will be affected by this requirement.
Greenhouse gas emissions
CO2 emissions (greenhouse gases) have a negative effect on the climate. Because of global warming, the polar ice caps are melting and the water level is rising, in the Netherlands too. Various plans have been put on the table to halt climate change.
Agriculture is being tackled hard. This sector accounts for 16% of total CO2 emissions. There is also attention for domestic transport, which is responsible for 19% of greenhouse gases.
Other sectors that deserve attention are industry (32%) and electricity generation (20%). Households also have a share in CO2 emissions, namely 13% of the total. That can and must be lower. If everyone does their bit, our planet has a future again.
Gas-free building mandatory from 2018
Since 1 July 2018, building gas-free has been mandatory for businesses and private individuals alike. A home or office may no longer be connected to the gas network. There are more than enough alternatives for heating the building anyway. These are electricity, a connection to the (municipal) heat network, biogas or green gas.
The requirement to build gas-free also applies in Belgium. In Germany, by contrast, more and more homes are being connected to natural gas. A quarter of German houses are heated with propane, heating oil or coal. These fossil fuels cause more pollution than natural gas. The German government provides subsidies for energy-saving measures.
Converting a regular home into an e-home
An e-home is the home of the future. Interest in building sustainably or making an existing home more sustainable has grown considerably. This is not only to do with attention for the climate, but also with rising energy prices. In addition, almost everyone wants to be energy independent.
With a (hybrid) heat pump you heat the home in a gas-free and environmentally friendly way. The electricity a heat pump needs is generated with solar panels. As an alternative or addition there are wood stoves and pellet stoves.
It helps to insulate the existing home well. Also think about ventilation with heat recovery and cooking on induction, ceramic, halogen or electric. These are the first steps towards an e-home.
The benefits of an e-home
Building an e-home is slightly more expensive, but will actually become cheaper in the future. Making your current home more sustainable also involves extra costs. On the other hand, this means a considerable saving on your energy bill. On top of that, there are much lower CO2 emissions. Another advantage: e-homes have a higher market value.
Instead of paying for everything yourself, it is also possible to rent certain equipment monthly. Get the most out of a sustainable home without high investments.
Subsidies for energy-efficient building and remodelling
Many municipalities and provinces have subsidy pots for energy-efficient building or making a home more sustainable. This means a subsidy on heat pumps and solar boilers, and sometimes on solar panels too. The rules differ per municipality. We advise checking with the municipality beforehand whether you are entitled to a national or local subsidy.
Having an energy-neutral home built
An e-home requires an investment but does not have to be expensive. Through smart purchasing it is possible to build (or have built) energy-neutral, so that the burden on the environment is as low as possible. Want us to build an e-home for you? Get in touch for more information.
Also read: residential construction and building and maintaining sustainably.
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