The aim of an energy retrofit is to reduce your consumption of fossil fuels, such as oil or natural gas. There are currently numerous advantages in doing a retrofit:
the financial advantage of lower energy bills
the increase in the potential value of your home on the market
a lower ecological footprint through lower energy consumption
the use of sustainable and resistant materials
you have a more comfortable home through better insulation for example
numerous grants help cut the cost of the work
The basic tool is the energy performance certificate (EPC). This tool plays a central role in energy retrofits. It assesses the energy performance of a house or building based on various criteria such as:
insulation,
the heating system,
ventilation,
the presence of renewable energies.
To embark on an energy retrofit, owners must first analyse their EPC certificate, which identifies the energy weak spots in their property. Based on this diagnosis, home owners can then plan the retrofit work needed to improve the energy performance, targeting the most critical aspects highlighted by the certificate. You can also simulate the PEB value using our online tool.
This approach not only makes it possible to increase energy efficiency and the comfort of your home, but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while respecting local energy performance regulations. Of course, help is available, but this differs depending on the region. The advantage of an energy retrofit is that it will improve the EPC performance once completed, and this improvement may have the effect of increasing the value of your home and will also help you save money on your energy bills.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"The stages in an ecological retrofit"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"1. Insulation: the most important step","richBody":{"value":"Before installing new heating systems, it is very important to effectively insulate your home. In this way, you will reduce energy losses and limit your heating consumption.
Insulation advice:
Ensure your home is airtight through well-insulated and thick walls, roof and floors, but also with good frames on which you can fit triple glazing. Also reduce thermal bridges (where the insulation layer is broken), especially at the contact points between walls, floors, roofs and frames. Finally, it is important to fully fill cracks.
In the context of an energy retrofit, the heating system is crucial because it directly influences energy consumption and the comfort of the home. There are many possible ways to improve this element, but as seen with the other aspects, the PEB certificate provides a basis for you to decide how to proceed.
Indeed, it’s all about context. One solution in particular may be more advantageous than another depending on the EPC certificate, the insulation of your home and other factors. Replacing an old boiler that is over-consuming seems to be an obvious choice, but the gain can be much lower than expected unless the property is well insulated.
Tip: think long-term, even if the initial investment is sometimes greater.
If you want a future-proof house, it is crucial to opt for the most efficient systems or those that do not consume gas or fuel oil, such as heat pumps or solar heating. Again, insulation will have a big impact. A heat pump is of little interest in a house that is not well-insulated. Also remember that most fuel boilers will eventually be banned. Depending on your budget and the help available, it may be interesting to take the leap and combine insulation and a heat pump for a “long-term” solution.
A loan to renovate your home? Do the simulation whatever your renovation project, ING offers you a customised loan. With our financing solution, you can check whether you need a mortgage or retrofit loan (instalment loan).
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/finance-heat-pump","text":"Find out how to finance your new heat pump"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"3. Ventilation","richBody":{"value":"Ventilation plays an essential but often underestimated role in an energy retrofit project. It is crucial in renewing the air and defective ventilation can be responsible for 20-25% of heat losses in a home. The installation of mechanical ventilation, whether single- or double-flow, in addition to efficient insulation, can significantly improve energy performance, while increasing comfort and preserving the health of the inhabitants. This approach ensures optimal air quality, avoiding dampness issues and contributing to a healthy indoor environment.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"A loan to renovate your home? Do the simulation","richBody":{"value":"Whatever your renovation project, ING offers you a tailor-made loan. With our loan calculator, you will receive an estimate of the monthly installment and the total cost of your project.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/loan-calculator","text":"Do the simulation here"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"4. Add additional energy sources","richBody":{"value":"The integration of new energy sources, such as solar panels, is an essential component in an energy retrofit for various reasons. Firstly, they provide clean, renewable energy, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and cutting CO2 emissions. When combined with systems such as heat pumps, which are highly efficient but require electricity, solar panels can offer a complete and sustainable solution, generating the energy needed to operate the pump. This creates a virtuous energy cycle, where the energy consumed is renewable and locally produced, increasing the energy efficiency of the building while reducing operating costs over the long term.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/solar-panel-funding-finance","text":"Find out how to finance the installation of your solar panels"}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What is the advantage of solar panels? "},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"It costs approximately €7,000 to install 14 solar panels in an average single-family home. In return, solar panels will save you between €1,200 and €2,300 per year on your energy bill. Given current energy price trends, this investment will be paid off in just 6 years in Flanders. And in just 4 years in Wallonia and Brussels. Depending on the region you live in, the average efficiency of your solar panels will be between 7% and 8% for at least 25 years. An ecological retrofit is therefore quite a profitable affair.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/solar-panel-funding-finance","text":"Find out how to finance the installation of your solar panels"}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"How can you finance your energy retrofit?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Discover the ING retrofit loan","richBody":{"value":"ING can help you finance your sustainable retrofit project.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/energy-loan-renovation","text":"Discover the ING Energy Renovation loan."}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Regional support","richBody":{"value":"The three Regions support energy retrofits. They offer grants and loans at very low interest rates for their residents. To be eligible, your income must be below a certain limit and the work you want to do must meet several conditions. So don’t hesitate to visit your Region’s Internet site: our guide to grants and subsidies.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"https://www.vlaanderen.be/bouwen-wonen-en-energie/lenen/mijn-verbouwlening","text":"Flemish energy loan (NL)"},{"url":"https://environnement.brussels/citoyen/services-et-demandes/primes-et-aides-financieres/le-credit-ecoreno","text":"Brussels ECORENO loan (FR)"},{"url":"https://www.swcs.be/renover/que-proposons-nous/","text":"Wallonian zero-rate loan (FR)"}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Or our guide of subsidies.
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also interesting!"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"5 questions and answers on EPC","body":"Get tips for a better score","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/b778333e-4d42-4aa2-bb1c-76a8d4bcd2dd/EPC-value-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/15bd7e78c3953760/original/EPC-value-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-03-20","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/my-life/housing/9-questions-answers-epc"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Make your house more sustainable","intro":"Reduce the environmental impact of your home with our tips and advice.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/2217055c-b930-44fe-883a-499b5b56044d/duurzaam-huis-marion-steur-houten-rondingen","type":"image","width":6759,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/425b1d423f4c07bd/original/duurzaam-huis-marion-steur-houten-rondingen.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/my-life/housing/make-home-sustainable"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Energy loan for renovations","intro":"Reduced-rate installment loan when at least 75% of your renovation are aimed at saving energy.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/a8e158f4-4dcd-48b3-8e6d-964f0c4c0f66/A-smiling-young-woman-stands-on-a-ladder-beneath-the-doorframe-holding-out-blue-cables-to-the-camera","type":"image","width":8268,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6cae176aa2d05bb0/original/A-smiling-young-woman-stands-on-a-ladder-beneath-the-doorframe-holding-out-blue-cables-to-the-camera.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/energy-loan-renovation"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"How to finance home insulation work in Belgium","intro":"Efficient insulation = energy savings!","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/8e3219fe-4794-4679-887c-2cf006ebd8a2/Happy-woman-holding-tools-and-making-a-peace-sign-in-a-kitchen","type":"image","width":7200,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/cb6f6663d482bfc/original/Happy-woman-holding-tools-and-making-a-peace-sign-in-a-kitchen.JPG","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/financing-home-insulation"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"How to finance the purchase of a boiler in Belgium","intro":"Discover the energy-saving investments available for boiler financing.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e6ea4a03-5fcd-43ff-aab8-e2a4a61497a0/person-turning-down-thermostat-on-heater-to-save-energy","type":"image","width":847,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/2ceccad2325a3ebf/original/person-turning-down-thermostat-on-heater-to-save-energy.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/financing-boiler"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"How to finance a heat pump in Belgium","intro":"Whether you're building anew or renovating, here's how you can finance a heat pump.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4aa67f71-2c54-4a18-a5ae-1e24a545deed/Close-up-of-exposed-underfloor-heating-construction-with-pipes-leading-into-a-white-wall","type":"image","width":6016,"altTextEN":"Close-up of exposed underfloor heating construction with pipes leading into a white wall","altTextNL":"Close-up van een zichtbare vloerverwarmingsconstructie met buizen die in een witte muur lopen","altTextFR":"Gros plan d'une construction de chauffage par le sol exposée avec des tuyaux menant dans un mur blanc","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/6797f8847e90759a/original/Close-up-of-exposed-underfloor-heating-construction-with-pipes-leading-into-a-white-wall.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/finance-heat-pump"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Solar panel funding for solar panel installation","intro":"Considering solar panel installation? Turn solar energy into savings by reading this article","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f1c3377c-2d86-4f52-a6e9-8fee2b981a87/Middle-aged-man-fixing-solar-panels-to-the-roof-of-his-house","type":"image","width":4096,"altTextEN":"Middle aged man fixing solar panels to the roof of his house","altTextNL":"Man van middelbare leeftijd bevestigt zonnepanelen op het dak van zijn huis","altTextFR":"Homme d'âge moyen fixant des panneaux solaires sur le toit de sa maison","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5ef1bf5d616359d1/original/Middle-aged-man-fixing-solar-panels-to-the-roof-of-his-house.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/borrowing/home/solar-panel-funding-finance"}}]}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Legal Notes","richBody":{"value":"The ING Mortgage Loan, the ING Bridge Loan and the Combined Mortgage Loan are mortgage loans subject to the law of April 2016 on mortgage loans. Offer reserved for natural persons of legal age and subject to acceptance by ING Belgium and mutual agreement.
Your application and any approval of your application by ING Belgium (after examination of your file by ING Belgium) in branch or via the 'Mortgage Loans Online' service on www.ing. be, are neither binding on ING Belgium nor on you, as long as you have not signed a credit offer in your ING branch or, in the case of an online application, as long as you have not returned the signed credit offer to ING (after prior approval of your file by ING), where the accuracy and completeness of the data provided in the application is checked beforehand (among other things, on the basis of the documents submitted or to be submitted).
The general terms and conditions of credit are available from all ING branches and at www.ing.be.
Consumer loan for private purposes subject to consumer credit legislation. It is intended exclusively for natural persons of legal age and all credit applications are subject to prior acceptance of your file by ING Belgium and to mutual agreement. The general terms and conditions and the rates for this credit are available at all ING branches and can be consulted at www.ing.be ("Rates and regulations" section).
Your application and any approval of your application by ING (after examination of your file by ING) at a branch or via the 'Consumer Loans Online' service at www.ing. be, are neither binding on ING nor on you, as long as you have not signed a credit agreement in your ING branch or, in the case of an online application, as long as you have not returned the signed credit agreement (after prior approval of your file by ING) to ING, where the accuracy and completeness of the data provided in the application is checked beforehand (among other things, on the basis of the documents submitted or to be submitted).
ING Belgium S.A./nv - Bank/Lending institution - avenue Marnix 24, B-1000 Brussels - Brussels RPM - VAT: BE 0403.200.393 - BIC: BBRUBEBB - IBAN: BE45 3109 1560 2789.
"}}]}}}