The
Netherlands is one of the most energy-efficient countries in the world, ranking
at number three
in the world in the international energy efficiency scorecard. In addition, the
Netherlands is number one in the world regarding energy-efficient buildings. It
also takes the lead when it comes to its effort toward becoming more energy
efficient.
This
was possible due to the government's ambitions to reduce their gas dependency
and find environmentally friendly energy sources. That led to cheaper equipment
intending to make at least 70% of their energy renewable by 2030.
To
do so, they created the energy efficiency obligation. Organizations in the
Netherlands that use 50,000 kWh of electricity or 25,000 m3 of natural gas (or
an equivalent) or more annually are required by the Environmental Management
Activities Decree (Activiteitenbesluit
Milieubeheer) to implement energy efficiency
measures with a payback period of five years or less.
Energy
efficiency is the concept of substituting wasteful resources (such as fossil
fuels) with eco-friendly alternatives and reducing energy expenditure to get
the same results while preserving the environment and reducing utility bills.
In
other words, energy efficiency is the easiest and cheapest way of saving our
environment while saving costs on bills. There are plenty of small changes that
provide energy-efficient results, and they can apply to:
- buildings;
- vehicles;
- freight;
- energy distribution;
- behavior
changes, etc.
Energy
efficiency is vital as it perseveres our environment, economic stability, and
other factors to allow us to live longer and healthier lives. Some of the
benefits of energy efficiency include:
Greenhouse
emissions
(GHG) are very harmful to the environment as they
affect climate change, raise temperatures, increase sea levels, create smog,
and do similar things. The CO2 emission occurs from vehicles (through fossil
fuels), buildings (through heat and electricity), and industrial processes
(through toxic fumes).
However,
if we reduce the emission of CO2, we can prevent those negative changes and
save our ecosystem and our health.
Naturally,
if you consume less energy, you’ll save money you’d otherwise spend on
utilities. But, if you decide to purchase some energy-efficient products,
you’ll also save money in the long run. Some products, like LED light bulbs,
energy-efficient windows, or smart thermostats, are a bit more expensive to buy
for the first time. But with time, they’ll pay themselves off and drastically
decrease your energy and water bills.
Once
you install energy-efficient appliances, significant changes in your
surroundings will improve your health. For example, dry, stale, or moist air,
mold, and various air pollutants can cause multiple illnesses and health
problems. But with energy-efficient alternatives, you’ll have a much safer
environment that eliminates those problems.
The
demand for energy-efficient homes is on the rise, especially in the
Netherlands. As people become more environmentally aware and recognize the
benefits of "green" solutions, they will always pick energy-efficient
properties ahead of standard ones. That can result in up to a 10% increase in
the property's value.
An
energy-efficient home is a home that uses less energy while keeping its
comfort, functionality, and aesthetics. Besides using less energy, it uses
eco-friendly devices, thus helping reduce CO2 emissions and other toxic
fumes.
An
energy-efficient home is built using "green" materials, such as
concrete, recycled steel, and similar. It has air-sealing around doors, vents,
windows, etc., with proper insulation. Furthermore, an energy-efficient home
has energy-saving appliances, such as fridges, thermostats, solar panels, etc.
Apart
from the mentioned benefits like saving the environment, your health, and
saving money, they can also have great comfort perks. With good insulation and
heating options, you can quickly heat your home and keep it warm longer. Smart
dishwashers and washing machines will remove significantly more bacteria making
them more sanitary. A sound ventilation system will improve the air quality.
On
top of that, with its modern design, it can also improve the appearance of your
interior and keep the value of your property rising.
Anyone
renting or selling a house in the Netherlands is obligated to provide a registered
energy label
to buyers/tenants. The energy label
identifies any installations and insulation that can be upgraded to increase
your home's sustainability and energy efficiency.
The
energy label is determined by how much fossil energy (coal, oil, and gas) a
certain house uses. If a house uses small amounts of fossil energy, it will get
a good energy label and the opposite. An energy performance advisor will
inspect the house and assign it an appropriate label. The advisor will check
various appliances, including:
- Washing
machines;
- Dryers;
- Refrigerators;
- Air
conditioners;
- TVs, etc.
Once
the advisor finishes the inspection, he’ll grade the house with an energy
label. The labels go from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient homes
and G being the least energy-efficient ones. He’ll also suggest alternatives
for devices that could be more energy efficient.
The
label is valid for ten years, with the date printed out on the label. Once it
expires, you can request a new energy label.
Becoming
energy efficient can easily be done by purchasing appropriate products and
devices. However, energy efficiency is a combination of choosing suitable
devices and spending less energy in general. Once your home is equipped with
those devices, here are some additional steps you can take toward complete
energy efficiency:
A
smart meter is a device that allows you to monitor and control how much energy
you use. Everyone with an old smart meter in the Netherlands will be charged
the same rate for day and night expenditures. By buying a new one, you can save
money with the cheaper night tariff and be more aware of how much energy you
actually spend.
Once
you have a smart meter installed, you can enjoy the benefit of having a cheaper
night tariff. That makes it ideal for charging your devices, doing laundry, and
making it much more affordable.
Although
an eco-friendly dryer is an excellent option for energy efficiency, you can go
a step further by air drying your clothes. Apart from the winter days, the
Netherlands is generally very sunny, making air-drying your clothes a great
option—zero emission, zero pollution, and 100% environmentally friendly.
When
refrigerators or air conditioners, for example, get dusty, the motors need to
work harder; that way, they spend more energy. A simple vacuuming of larger
appliances will prevent that and ensure they are working correctly.
Saving
the environment is everyone's job, as each individual can make some changes in
their lifestyle that won't mean much to them. Still, it will make a massive
difference for flora and fauna surrounding us, including our own health.
Suppose
you’re looking for a property to buy or rent in the Netherlands. In that case,
you may need help finding one that fits your criteria of being energy
efficient, location, reliable tenants, and similar. Fortunately, services like Dutch Renting
can
give you a helping hand in finding the perfect property for your standard,
hassle-free. They’ll also take care of utility subscriptions, permits, and any
paperwork involved.
By
making some energy-efficient changes to your home, you can help create a better,
healthier, and safe environment for all of us.
