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Building renovation benefits - reasons, why houses should be renovated

Building renovation benefits - 10 reasons for energy modernization and repair of buildings.

Does building refurbishment have advantages - and if so, what are they? If you want to find out about the benefits of modernizing old houses and apartments, you've come to the right place! The building stock from the 1930s to 1970s with its old buildings is considered a climate-damaging energy guzzler. All new buildings must therefore be constructed and operated in a climate-neutral manner by 2030 - and from 2050, every building in the EU should be climate-neutral.₁ Accordingly, structural defects and damage must be repaired and walls, façades, windows, roofs, balconies and basements must be brought up to date.

Of course, professional refurbishment of older buildings may seem complex and expensive in the short term - but on closer inspection, it pays off in the medium and long term. Not only for the environment and health, but above all for your own wallet.

Whether you're an owner or a resident, in this article I'll introduce you to the most important reasons and benefits of energy-efficient building renovation. Let's get going!

You can find a brief overview here in advance:

  1. Protect the environment
  2. Reduce heating costs
  3. Benefit from lower maintenance requirements
  4. Use state subsidies
  5. Increase real estate value
  6. Improve rentability
  7. Increase living comfort
  8. Becoming more independent
  9. Increase tenant satisfaction
  10. Minimize health risks and hazards

1. protect environment

By installing a heating system with Geothermal heat pump in combination with a solar thermal systemthrough the installation of heat-retaining Facade and roof insulation and more modern, double or triple glazed window systemsyou protect the environment. The more energy-efficient building is heated using renewable energy and the heat is less likely to escape to the outside.

Conserving natural resourcesminimizing CO2 consumption and living as climate-friendly and future-oriented a life as possible are among the main reasons why many people decide to renovate their buildings.

2. reduce heating costs

Reducing costs through building renovation

Why renovate for energy efficiency? Not only because you can counteract climate change, but also because you can save money. After all, climate protection measures and the energy transition can only be successfully implemented if they are also are socially acceptable and generally accepted become.₂

Replacing windows, for example, can reduce heating costs by up to 20 percent. Insulating the end of the façade or installing a solar thermal system can also achieve this beneficial value.₃ The Reduction in expenditure on electricity and heat is one of the main motives for most people to carry out an energy-efficient renovation. Even if the investment is more expensive in the short term and the payback period varies between 5 and 20 years depending on the measure, it is worthwhile in the long term.

3. use state subsidies

It makes sense that many energy-efficient refurbishment measures are subsidized by the state. For example, there are grants for individual measures on the building envelope or for refurbishment to an efficiency house standard.

However, the subsidies are subject to constant adjustment, which is why I do not want to give you any figures here and advise you to always contact the respective funding institutions directly (e.g. the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) or the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA)) to inform.

4. benefit from lower maintenance requirements

The refurbishment of old houses and apartments brings them up to the latest technical standards, increases the economic useful life and makes it more resistant. Ultimately, you can also better prevent unruly mold growth or weather-related damage to the façade.

Ultimately, owners and landlords benefit from lower repair costs, lower insurance costs and a higher credit rating.

5. increase real estate value

Renovate buildings and houses to protect the environment

A successful refurbishment costs money, but also increases the value of the property. After all, the building is more compatible with future standards and requirements and more appealing to potential tenants. Accordingly, investing in modernization also facilitates resale at the highest possible selling price and, last but not least, increases potential rental income. As a resident, for example, you benefit from the higher prestige of the apartment.

6. improve rentability

If the building and the apartment look more appealing and modern and the energy costs are comparatively very low, a property can also be rented out much more easily and, above all, in the long term. Ultimately, this is one of the many reasons for renovating buildings, which benefits both owners and residents.

7. increase living comfort

Renovate residential buildings and increase comfort

Refurbished buildings have a better temperature distribution in the roomso that you feel more comfortable even at lower temperatures. Thanks to the improved thermal insulation, it is also pleasantly cool in summer and a little warmer in winter - and there is no longer any sign of the tense draughts of classic old buildings. It should also not be forgotten that a better sound insulation so that both the neighbor and you can be a little louder.

Ultimately, these refurbishment and modernization measures lead to a higher quality of living, which is another important advantage.

8. become more independent

Nobody knows for sure how oil, wood or gas prices, for example, will develop. But if there are advantages to renovating a building, then it must be mentioned that it makes you less dependent on price fluctuations and at least gives you a Greater cost certainty enables. Infinity, Natural resourcesThe energy sources, such as wind power, solar energy or heat from the ground, are ultimately available on your own property.

9. increase tenant satisfaction

Wouldn't you rather live in a property where you don't have to constantly reckon with disruptions and problems? When the disruptions caused by building services or pending repairs are kept within limits, when houses and apartments, both technically and visually, on a modern level tenants are much more satisfied and stay in their rented properties for longer. From the lower fluctuation Of course, the owners and landlords also benefit.

10. minimize health risks and hazards

Modernize buildings to protect health

For example, old buildings may contain harmful wood preservatives - or chipboard may emit formaldehyde. Last but not least, asbestos or toxic adhesives and insulating materials also pose a risk to residents. As the owner, you are ultimately responsible for averting the danger and can be held liable in the event of proven damage to health as a result of your negligence.

Apart from this, the healthier indoor climate and improved noise protection ultimately also promote health protection. As you can see, this is a very decisive advantage of building refurbishment.

There are many advantages to building renovation!

Always consider the repair, modernization and renovation of a property as an investment in the future - from which you, but also other residents and, last but not least, the environment will benefit.

The above-mentioned advantages of building renovation should have made you realize that renovating old buildings is worthwhile - in some circumstances it can even be really fun. However, the current CO2 emissions, the final energy requirement, the refurbishment costs and the expected increase in value are sometimes unmanageable. Clarity is provided, for example, by this renovation calculatorwhich you should definitely use to help you with your project.

Do you have any questions, tips or other ideas for renovating a building? Then please write a comment below this article.

Stay sustainable,

Christoph from CareElite - Plastic-free living

PS: You want to build sustainably? I've also written a detailed blog post about this with lots of tips. Take a look!

References:
₁ Federal Environment Agency: Germany's building stock can become climate-neutral by 2050 (as at: 03.05.2016), available at https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/deutschlands-gebaeudebestand-kann-bis-2050. [08.11.2022].

₂ Federal Environment Agency: Shaping climate protection and the energy transition in a socially responsible way (as at: 03.06.2020), available at https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klimaschutz-energiewende-sozialvertraeglich. [08.11.2022].

₃ P. Kloth: Energy-efficient refurbishment - benefits, costs and funding, available at https://www.energieheld.de/foerderung/energetische-sanierung. [08.11.2022].

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Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

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