Lowering energy expenses in Saarland: The role of innovative windows in energy savings
In the face of rising energy costs and the urgent need for energy efficiency, one of the most significant areas of focus is the building envelope, particularly the windows. Windows, it turns out, are among the largest weak points in a building's envelope and cause significant heat losses, directly affecting regional energy costs.
According to the Building Energy Act (GEG), heating systems that are more than 30 years old must be replaced by modern, more efficient systems in many cases. This transformation is not only crucial for complying with legal requirements but also for long-term reduction of energy costs. High-quality energy windows are an important factor in this regard.
If the window replacement is carried out as part of an individual renovation plan (iSFP), an additional bonus of 5% is possible, increasing the total subsidy to 20%. This makes replacing old windows a financially attractive proposition.
Old Velux roof windows, in particular, have significant energy-saving potential due to their exposed location and often inadequate sealing. Replacing these can help save energy, with modern thermal protection windows reducing energy loss by up to 60 percent, corresponding to a heating cost saving of up to 20 percent.
For households with gas heating, this could mean annual savings of approximately 48 euros more per year, while those with heating oil could see savings of around 63 euros per year. From January 2025, the price of CO2 in the national emissions trading will increase from 45 to 55 euros per tonne CO2, further emphasising the need for energy efficiency measures.
The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) provides subsidies for installing energy-efficient windows with low U-values in single-family and multi-family houses in Saarland. The authority subsidises 15% of the investment costs, up to a maximum of 4,500 euros. Eligible costs for BAFA subsidy can be up to 30,000 euros.
KfW bank offers attractive supplementary loans (KfW 358, 359) for energy renovation measures, with homeowners able to apply for up to 120,000 euros per residential unit. Particularly advantageous: Interest subsidies for an annual income up to 90,000 euros for KfW loans.
Modernizing these window systems is an important step towards greater energy efficiency. As energy-efficient building renovation in the Saarland gains importance due to rising energy costs, it's clear that the benefits of energy-efficient window replacements extend beyond just savings on energy bills.
The U-value is the key indicator of a window's energy efficiency, with lower values indicating better insulation. Modern double glazing achieves U-values of about 1.1 to 1.4, while triple glazing is even more efficient with U-values below 1.1. A reduction in the Uw-value by 0.1 W/m2 saves about 10 kWh of gas or 1.2 litres of heating oil per square meter of window area per year.
In conclusion, replacing old windows with modern thermal protection windows not only helps in reducing energy loss but also contributes significantly to energy savings and cost reduction. It's a step towards a more energy-efficient future, especially in the context of rising energy costs and the pressing need for energy conservation.
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