The Luxembourgish government has recognised that the improvement of many existing buildings throughout the Grand Duchy is a necessary priority, to both reduce consumption of domestic energy and to avoid spending increased costs spent on heating.
The information was announced at press conference attended by Luxembourg’s Minister for Housing, Marc Hansen, as well as the Minister of the Environment, Carole Dieschbourg, the Minister for Finance, Pierre Gramegna, and the Secretary of State for Economy, Francine Closener.
It is because of this that the energy package “Klimabank an nohaltegt Wunnen” aims to promote both sustainable construction, making existing buildings use more sustainable energy, and the development of renewable energy in the housing sector. It is composed of the following four schemes:
- The establishment of a low-interest climate loan and a zero-interest climate loan to further promote sustainable energy renovation and prevent fuel poverty;
- The establishment of a new housing sustainability certification system (LENOZ);
- Creating a one-stop-shop for all aid relating to housing;
- A reform plan of financial aid called "PRIMe House" which focuses on building sustainable housing and sustainable energy renovation.
Minister Dieschbourg presented the new provisions of the financial aid scheme “PRIMe house” which promotes sustainability, the rational use of energy and renewable energy in the housing sector. The group of people benefiting from the plan will be extended to all households as well as companies who are homeowners.
The most important innovations concern:
a) enhanced sustainability in the field of construction of housing: Part of the “PRIMe house” plan is to focus on promoting sustainability of new housing as opposed to energy efficiency.
b) More sustainable renovation in the area of energy efficiency: This includes introducing sustainability criteria, enhanced promotion of extensive energy renovation and the introduction of agreement in principle.
c) More integration of renewable energy in the area of heating for houses: This means upgrading from traditional boilers to wood pellet boilers, the implementation of solar thermal systems with wood boilers or a heat pump and raising of ceilings in some apartment buildings.
These new initiatives are expected to come into force from 1 January 2017. For further information, see www.logement.lu
Photo by Ministère du Logement
