Futureproof buildings
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Futureproof buildings
Ghent aims is to make it as easy and affordable as possible for everyone in the city, to make their home or workspace durable and futureproof.
Futureproof buildings
Ghent aims is to make it as easy and affordable as possible for everyone in the city, to make their home or workspace durable and futureproof.
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Ghent has a one-stop shop for stimulating and supporting energy-efficient renovations in existing and new homes in Ghent: De Energiecentrale. The key to its success? A personal approach, free of charge.
The personal advice is:
- tailored to the condition of the house
- tailored to the available budget
- tailored to the time and knowledge available to organize the renovation
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programme
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How Ghent greens its buildings
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A renovationcoach free of charge
Home improvement made easy by means of tailored made support for every renovation in Ghent.
The renovation coaches give home-tailored advice and support the renovation process step by step. They also help gain insight in all possible energy loans and premiums.
Inhabitants of Ghent who are renovating their home can contact their personal renovation coach for every step of the renovation process. This way, De Energiecentrale can guarantee a personalised approach.
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Online tool 'Check Your House'
Is your home ready for tomorrow? Inhabitants of Ghent can figure it out from the comfort of their couch through the online tool checkjehuis.gent
This online tool enables inhabitants to figure out how futureproof your house already is and what can be improved, with just a few simple questions.
The tool combines and predicts a lot of information: the solar potential on your roof, the investment costs and savings, an indication of your energy label before and after the renovation and your possibilities with respect to green heating. This simple step-by-step plan can make its way to your mailbox, together with an overview of premiums and loans, with a simple click.
The online tool is made available open-source and is already popular in other cities and municipalities. T
Go to Checkjehuis
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Collective approach for flats
The renovation coach for flats has the necessary experience to manage the renovation in coordination with co-owners.
Renovations in a block of flats may require a little more energy, which is why De Energiecentrale has a specialised renovation coach for flats, who ensures that the entire process runs smoothly: from convincing neighbours, setting priorities and preparing files for the general assembly to finding contractors, comparing quotations and following up on the works.
The renovation coach for flats supports every step of the decision-making process. Additionally, he receives support from technical colleagues and if necessary, the city calls in the consultancy agency we usually work with for technical research and financing options.
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Energy loans
Ghent is setting up a rolling fund that grants loans with low interest rates and longer repayment periods to inhabitants of Ghent.
To enable every Ghentian to start a renovation, even those with insufficient savings or those who cannot get a loan, the city of Ghent has started a revolving climate fund. With this fund, de Energiecentrale provides soft consumer loans for energy renovations. This ensures that the investment’s pre-financing threshold is eliminated. The loan can be partly repaid with the available grants and the decreased energy bill. This should also allow for multiple renovations at once if needed, thus enabling a real decrease of the energy bill.
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Energy poverty
Energy poverty is a growing concern, as energy touches basic needs. De Energiecentrale provides extra support for vulnerable households.
The main purpose of an energy scan is to ensure that consumption is as low as possible: tips for energy-conscious behaviour, avoidance of standby power consumption and replacement of energy-guzzling appliances. For vulnerable owners, necessary basic renovations are stimulated and supported. In addition to isolation and heating, De Energiecentrale also provides support for renovations relating to moisture, electricity or plumbing.
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Social Housing
Ghent provides investment grants for the renovation of social housing.
To speed up the renovation of social housing units and enhance their energy efficiency, Ghent provides investment grants for the renovation of social housing and new construction projects and also provides budget for energy studies. This not only increases the number of energy renovations, but also increases the level of ambition of the planned renovations.
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Focus on renewable energy
Inhabitants of Ghent who have already made their home energy-efficient are ready for the next step: more renewable energy.
De Energiecentrale guides these inhabitants of Ghent through the maze of innovative renewable techniques for their remaining energy needs. Solar panels with or without batteries, a heat pump or a heat network, join an energy community or wait for the hydrogen revolution? The new evolutions in renewable energy are the cause of a lot of questions and doubts with homeowners. Together with the inhabitants of Ghent, renovation coaches of De Energiecentrale look for the best solutions for their homes and budgets.
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ICCARus
The Energiecentrale is a partner of the UIA-project ICCARus, which aims at renovating 100 houses of captive homeowners that don’t meet de minimal living standards.
With the ICCArus project the houses of 100 households in Ghent are renovated to meet minimal living standards. Home owners will be unburdened and supported technically, financially, administrative and socially.
Due to the renovations, the general quality of living of the households and of the neighbourhoods in our city are improving. All participants in the project will be empowered and will have made progress on other domains such as health, rational energy-use, social network, social-economic position, etc. The renovation of 100 houses in socially deprived neighbourhoods will lead to more sustainability and a better energy performance in those neighourhoods. Because of the integrated approach we also improve the community and social cohesion between the citizens.
By using a recurring fund, the public finance is not only used for a limited group, but can be used over and over again to fight this main urban challenge. ICCARus awards a starting capital of €30.000 for each house, which has to be refunded upon change of ownership.
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Energy Renovation of Historical buildings
Reconciling monument and heritage conservation with making buildings more sustainable and energy efficient.
A specific vision and approach is required to make valuable buildings CO2 neutral while preserving their heritage value. To this end, the Monument Conservation and Urban Archeology Department will conduct an extensive study of Ghent working-class houses. On the basis of the results of this study, De Energiecentrale will assist occupants and owners of valuable buildings in making energy saving renovations with respect for historical heritage. The advisers will check whether the building is (partly) listed and,
if required, assist the owner in applying for the appropriate permits and choosing the best solution.
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Think of our one-stop-shop and its renovation coaches as extra hands and brains that happen to know everything about energy efficient renovations.
