Building renovations are currently a worthwhile investment and homeowners should be aware of what to consider, according to Georg Thor, Managing Director of Energieberatung Salzburg, in a recent interview.
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Constanze Ebner: Mr. Thor, who does Energieberatung Salzburg’s services target?
Georg Thor: Energieberatung Salzburg primarily targets private households. We specifically advise on questions relating to single-family and two-family homes, but also on apartment buildings. Municipalities and institutions are another target group, and we can also advise them free of charge, neutrally, and independently regarding their buildings.
What services does Energieberatung offer?
We offer a variety of services and tailor our approach to the individual customer. However, I want to emphasize that anyone can and should contact us as soon as questions arise. Simply get in touch via our website or by phone – all options are available. Once we understand the issue, we can work with the customer to determine the appropriate type and depth of consultation. Our services range from simple phone consultations on specific questions about electricity consumption, heating, or insulation, to general inquiries, such as proper ventilation, and on-site consultations where we conduct a comprehensive assessment of the building regarding energy consumption, insulation, heating systems, and more. These on-site consultations are very popular; we currently conduct approximately 300 per month throughout the state. The goal of these on-site consultations is to assess the condition of the building and discuss further questions, such as the installation of photovoltaic systems. Following the consultation, we prepare a report outlining a step-by-step plan to optimize the building’s overall energy efficiency. The consultation is, of course, free and non-binding. It is up to each individual to decide whether or not to implement the proposed measures, or only parts of them.
Does the consultation end with the creation of the report?
No, our consultation is not a one-time event, but can certainly be continued after the report is created. After all, this is just the beginning of the process for customers to implement the measures – they need to obtain quotes and may receive additional input from the professionals they hire. So, when questions or uncertainties arise again, we are happy to provide further assistance.
There are often attractive subsidies available from the state and federal governments for certain renovation measures. Is this taken into account in the consultations?
We always consider the current subsidy situation. While it is difficult for us to anticipate what the situation will look like in a few months or a year, whether budget funds will still be available, for example, we certainly advise on the current state of funding opportunities. This means we ensure that the measures we propose are optimally eligible for funding. Or, to set it another way, that nothing is done that could jeopardize a subsidy. This is particularly important for thermal renovation, such as insulation. In some cases, it may even be beneficial to implement several measures simultaneously to potentially jump to a higher funding level. These are all things we assess and incorporate into the consultation.
A valid energy certificate is required for certain subsidies. Does Energieberatung also create these?
That’s correct, a valid energy certificate is required for certain subsidy applications and building permits. However, as energy consultants in Salzburg, we do not create these. This is done by professional tradespeople. A list of energy certificate providers in Salzburg can be found on the state’s energy certificate database. However, we do create an initial renovation plan after assessing a building. We calculate the measures using the same methodology as professional energy certificate providers. The reason for this is simple: we want to ensure that the measures we propose comply with current building regulations.
Speaking of renovation plans: is now a good time for renovations?
Yes, now is! Because costs – and we are seeing this in the prices we are receiving – have decreased significantly. At the same time, there is currently a good funding base for many measures. Both the federal and state governments offer attractive funding opportunities, and combining several of them can be very interesting. The availability of materials has improved – this was a real problem in recent years. All these factors combined, I would say it is an excellent time to consider renovations and get advice on which measures might be worthwhile.
Do you have any simple tips for saving energy in the household without renovation, or what classic mistakes should be avoided?
One mistake we often encounter is customers thinking they are saving energy by only heating individual rooms and letting the others heat up indirectly. However, if the houses are poorly insulated, the unheated rooms cool down significantly in winter. Then, the warm, humid air from the heated rooms, where cooking and laundry are done, can meet the cold walls of the neighboring rooms, leading to mold growth. As a general rule, the temperature difference between individual rooms should be no more than two to four degrees Celsius to avoid mold problems. This applies to buildings with poor construction, as good, modern insulation prevents significant temperature differences.
Do you have any advice on how to save energy when heating?
The classic tip is the room temperature. Each degree Celsius reduces energy consumption by approximately six percent. So, if I manage to lower the room temperature in my living area by one or two degrees, I can reduce overall heating energy consumption by six or even twelve percent.
