Saving energy by insulating
Why your neighbors got started insulating their homes
The goal of the energy transition is to reduce carbon emissions by 49% from 1990 levels by 2030. The government is even aiming for 60% reduction by 2030. This is important for ourselves and future generations. In this way we limit the impact of climate change and can create a more sustainable future.
An important part of the energy transition is making homes gas-free. By 2030 as many as 1.5 million homes must be gas-free, which means no longer heating and cooking on gas. That is why it is important not to wait, but to get started now. As an incentive for homeowners, the energy tax on natural gas is being gradually increased, while that on electricity is being reduced. Your neighbors are currently meeting at the Climate Table meetings, exchanging tips and information and preparing the home for the future. Therefore, it pays to also come to the Climate Table meeting.
Also preparing for a natural gas-free future? Then start by reducing your own energy consumption. If you haven't done much energy conservation yet, it's a good idea to start by insulating your home.
Insulation is a solid starting point because it not only reduces your energy consumption and energy bills, but also increases your living comfort. Consider insulating your roof, floors, walls, pipes and sealing gaps. The better you insulate your home, the more important ventilation becomes. The ultimate goal is to have your home insulated to the insulation standard. This is a standard from the state and with it you will make your home future-proof. Also, your home will be ready to go off natural gas in the future. It is advisable to take measures that will still be effective in 2050, since we must have a sustainable energy supply by then.
What the council is doing to help you insulate?
The municipality of Wassenaar is director of the heat transition built environment and informs, researches alternatives, organizes purchasing actions, and ensures that homeowners take the right measures.
The municipality would like you to take measures in a sustainable way, so that you get maximum benefit from your efforts and do not regret the investments. What might you regret? A few examples:
- Insulate cheaply and then see further in 10-15 years.
- Install solar panels while your roof is eventually in need of repair or replacement.
- Get a heat pump, solar panels or energy-efficient doors or window frames while your home is not yet properly insulated.
- Take double glazing when you can also choose HR++ glass. Then choose HR++, because cheap is expensive.
Therefore, do it right the first time and choose future-proof measures: go for the long term. What you can therefore do better: Insulate well by using the Green Canals approach, for example. Use the Green Menu Wassenaar.
Do you need help and/or advice?
- For advice on insulating an owner-occupied home, contact the Duurzaam Bouwloket Wassenaar.
- For advice on insulating a listed owner-occupied home, you can also contact the Green Canals.
- The Green Canals conducted research last year on home insulation in the De Paauw, De Kieviet, Drie Papegaaien and New Wassenaar neighborhoods. Do you live in one of these neighborhoods and need additional support or advice? Then you can request information from De Groene Grachten via info@degroenegrachten.nl. Please mention in the subject line "Neighborhood Approach Wassenaar" and in the text in which neighborhood you live.
Animal-friendly insulation
It is important to perform insulation of your home in an animal-friendly (nature-inclusive) way. Do you want to insulate your home? If so, contact the municipality prior to insulation. Wassenaar Municipality is working to make insulation as animal-friendly as possible. View more information on animal-friendly insulation.
Energy Assistance Wassenaar
Are you struggling to pay your energy bills and live in a poorly insulated home? Then you can turn to Energy Assistance in Wassenaar. The Energy Help helps you free of charge to make your home more energy efficient. Easy and fast. Visit Energiehulp Wassenaar for more information and to make an appointment.
How you too can join the initiatives to insulate in your neighborhood
For each neighborhood, we as a municipality are preparing implementation plans in cooperation with residents. In 2023 this has been drawn up for the first 4 neighborhoods: De Paauw, De Kieviet, Drie Papegaaien and Nieuw Wassenaar. Other neighborhoods will follow. The municipality uses the following planning for the neighborhood approach:
| Year | Neighborhoods |
|---|---|
| 2023 | De Kieviet Three Parrots Nieuw Wassenaar De Paauw |
| 2024 | Oostdorp Zijlwetering and Haven Groot Deijleroord and Ter Weer Weteringpark Den Deijl Kerkehout Dorp Wassenaar |
| 2025 | Duindigt with Groenendaal Verspreide Huizen Duinrell and Wassenaarse Slag Verspreide Huizen Meijendel Rijksdorp with De Pan Oud-Clingendaal Klingenbosch Maaldrift Verspreide huizen Raaphorst and in polder areas Oud-Wassenaar Verspreide huizen Eikenhorst |
Thinking about the neighborhood insulation plan
Do you live in a neighborhood where we will start drafting the neighborhood insulation plan in 2024/2025, and would you like to participate?
Do you have a question? Then send an e-mail to energietransitie@wassenaar.nl.