Alternatives for Making Your Home More Sustainable
Would you like to have solar panels but find it impossible? Don't worry—there are always other ways to make your home more sustainable. Here are a few options.
Community solar program
The community solar program is an initiative that allows homeowners with unsuitable roofs to still benefit from solar energy. Large buildings with highly suitable roofs can make their space available for solar panels, and residents in the surrounding area (within a specific postal code) can purchase a share. This way, they can use solar energy without having panels on their own roof. Zonnefabriek regularly participates in community solar projects.
(private) Wind turbine
Generating wind energy is another sustainable alternative to solar panels. Wind is an unlimited resource that can always be used for electricity generation. There are two main options for generating wind energy: purchasing a small private wind turbine or investing in a large wind farm. A small wind turbine provides clean energy at a relatively low cost per kWh. However, due to the high initial investment, it may not be financially viable within the turbine's technical lifespan.
You can read more about investing in wind energy on the Milieu Centraal website.
Home insulation
Proper insulation can make a big difference in heating costs by retaining warmth more effectively. There are various insulation options for your home, including roof insulation, wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, and floor and basement insulation. You can also replace single-pane windows with high-performance glass. Since September 2 of this year, the ‘Subsidy for Energy Savings in Private Homes (SEEH)’ has been reopened. This program provides subsidies for homeowners who undertake two or more major insulation measures.
Upgrading your heating system or installing a heat pump
Another way to improve your home's sustainability is by upgrading or replacing your heating system. Ideally, this should be done after implementing insulation improvements. There are several heating options available, including a hybrid heat pump combined with a conventional boiler, a fully electric heat pump, and infrared panels. The Milieu Centraal website provides a detailed overview of these options.
There are also subsidy opportunities for heat pumps until 2021, with amounts ranging between €1,000 and €2,000, depending on the type and capacity of the system you choose.
Saving energy at home
Start small! Simple energy-saving measures at home are easy to implement. Do you already use energy-efficient lighting? Have you installed weather stripping? Are you signed up with a sustainable energy provider? These are all relatively easy steps that can still lead to significant savings!
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