Energy saving is the easiest way to be sustainable.

Every cubic meter of gas or kilowatt-hour of electricity that you don’t use doesn’t have to be produced, and therefore doesn’t have to be paid for.

Small measures

Sometimes small measures are enough to save energy in the home. Think of draft strips, radiator foil, or a water-saving showerhead. And turning down the heating by one degree.

Payback time

By investing in insulation and efficient appliances, you can save a lot of money. And usually, you’ll earn back your investment faster than you think. It yields more than the interest on a savings account, at any rate.

Energy coach

Do you live in Maastricht, Gulpen-Wittem, or Vaals and are you a homeowner? Then you can ask an energy coach to come to your home for an energy scan. The energy coach will assess how sustainable your home is now and provide tips for improvement. Are the walls and roof sufficiently insulated, or can they be improved? What kind of glass is in the windows? What kind of heating do you have now, and what are the best alternatives?

An energy scan costs €25 initially, but you’ll get it back if you carry out one of the measures in the advice report (the energy scan). If you refer a new customer within two weeks of receiving an energy advice report, the advice is also free. The energy coaches at the Centre for Nature and Environmental Education (CNME Maastricht and Region) are volunteers. The team currently has seven experts in energy reduction.

The energy coaches are made possible by the municipality of Maastricht, the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem, the municipality of Vaals, the Limburg Nature and Environment Federation, and CNME Maastricht and Region. People who want to hire an energy coach can visit www.cnme.nl/energiecoach or send an email to energiecoach@cnme.nl.

Condominium associations (VvE’s)

Recently, owners of an apartment can also request a report if they live in a smaller condominium association (maximum of 12 apartments). The energy coach then creates a second report that lists the measures the VvE can take for all apartment owners together.

Financing

Insulating your home and heating it efficiently is crucial, both for your wallet and for our climate. But investing in insulation, high-efficiency glass, or a state-of-the-art heating boiler can also leave a big hole in your budget. Therefore, there are financing options available for most major measures.