- 7/5/2025

Energy-efficient renovation

2 min

Warning, borrowing money also costs money.

The EPB certificate, what is the PEB/EPB?

PEB/EPB: insulation, the law and common sense

Climate awareness got its ‘official’ start with the Kyoto Treaty in 1997. This was followed by the Paris climate agreement, the nuclear phase-out, European targets and more. It is clear that climate neutrality – the EU's goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050 – can only be achieved if everyone participates. With this in mind, the federal government introduced the EPB (Energy Performance and Indoor Climate) declaration in 2006. So you can see why energy-efficient and energy-saving investments are becoming increasingly popular.

The PEB/EPB declaration is mandatory for every new construction or renovation in Belgium. It comprises a whole set of rules that buildings in which people live and work must comply with in order to maximise energy efficiency. The PEB/EPB requirements have become stricter to reduce your ecological footprint and your energy expenditure.

The PEB/EPB certificate

The prospective buyer or tenant can use this energy certificate to get an idea of their property’s energy consumption. So the more interesting the rating, the better the deal you will be making. The idea is to think ahead. Before laying the first brick, consider the possibilities for integrating energy-saving measures into your construction or renovation project. That way you can plan for the future and reduce your energy expenditure when you take out your mortgage credit.

Getting started - Invest and save

Energy-saving investments

You want to carry out energy-saving renovations to reduce the energy bill of your future new-build or renovated home. Great idea, but where to start? The first thing experts recommend is insulating your roof or attic. This can save you up to 30% on your energy bill.

In addition, double or even triple glazing is very effective. And if you want to go a few steps further, there are also energy-efficient heating and installation systems, as well as green roofs, the insulation of exterior walls, etc. The cost of materials and installation may be slightly higher, but there are all kinds of renovation subsidies you can apply for, as well as… credits that are tailored to your needs.

Save and generate energy yourself

If you want to know exactly why your energy bills are skyrocketing, it is worth having an energy audit carried out first. That way you will know exactly where best to implement energy-saving measures. We have already discussed some of the major energy guzzlers, such as a poorly insulated roof, single glazing and what you can do about them. Other options include air sealing, economical hot water systems, a room thermostat, energy-efficient lighting and water-saving systems.

In addition to insulation, you can also generate your own energy. This is quite simple with solar panels, for example. Depending on where you live and how many panels you install, a household with two children can easily save between € 50 and € 100 on their energy bill.

Tax reduction and subsidies

In Belgium, the different regions have created their own energy subsidies for small and large renovation jobs. There are tax breaks and subsidies for energy-efficient new-builds in Wallonia and in Brussels. In Flanders, the withholding tax on real estate is automatically reduced if your new-build complies with the legal energy standard.

In addition to tax reductions and government subsidies for your renovation or new-build home, you can enjoy the benefits of energy-efficient construction/renovation from the outset. With an energy loan (instalment loan) you personally contribute to achieving climate neutrality. Remember that if at least 75% of the renovation work you plan consists of energy-saving investments, you will receive an even lower interest rate on your instalment loan.

Make green investments, take equity out of your home

Even if you choose not to go for the super green makeover, you can still lower your energy bill by lowering your home's energy requirements. Did you buy a house and were you unable to renovate it due to a lack of cash when you bought it? No problem: if you have an existing mortgage credit on your house, you can release equity. That way you don't need to get a new mortgage credit. And by investing this fresh capital into energy-efficient measures, you can save a bundle in the long term.

If you cannot release equity from an existing credit, a renovation loan (instalment loan) is an alternative so you don't have to dip into your savings... because small adjustments can also make your home much more energy-efficient. A good example is a water-saving shower head in your bathroom.