Anyone wishing to carry out home improvements to improve energy efficiency will be able to apply for a new government incentive program to promote more sustainable properties. The support is intended for all individuals who own residential units or buildings constructed before the end of 2006 and covers everything from installing more efficient windows, thermal insulation, heating and/or cooling systems, to photovoltaic panels or water efficiency, among other things.
The More Sustainable Buildings Support Program was launched by the government on Tuesday, September 2, 2020, and will allocate €4.5 million in 2020 and 2021—€1.75 million this year and €2.75 million next year. Operated by the Environmental Fund, it will support measures and interventions that promote rehabilitation, decarbonization, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and circular economy in buildings. The co-financing rate for interventions is 70%, up to the limit established for each type of project. Each applicant is limited to a maximum total incentive of €15,000, with a maximum limit per single-family building or autonomous fraction of €7,500.
Quick works with lasting effects
"This is a great example of investments that can happen across the country, which can be realized in a very short period of time and leave a very positive footprint for the future. We are talking about works that are carried out in a month or two, but the positive impact they leave behind is one that will last for a long time," said Environment Minister João Pedro Matos Fernandes at yesterday's press conference to present the project. “We were the first country in the world to want to be carbon neutral by 2050, we have one of the most ambitious energy and climate plans in Europe for 2030, and we know that the residential sector is also key to meeting our goals,” the minister added.
"This is really a very simple way to invest. I would say there is no simpler way. Have the work done, send the invoice, send proof that you own that house/apartment, and the money will be credited,“ he explains about this new incentive program. ”Of course, they will always be subject to some inspection, it cannot be otherwise, but that money will be credited very quickly," he insists.
The Government also points out that “the domestic sector and the associated building stock account for more than 30% of final energy consumption, which translates into significant greenhouse gas emissions compared to the national total.” As such, the energy and environmental renovation of the national building stock “is a fundamental measure for meeting energy and climate objectives, as well as for combating energy poverty.”
Furthermore, it has recently become known that most Portuguese homes built before 2016 have the lowest level of indoor comfort, according to the European standard for assessing thermal conditions in buildings (standard EN 1525). This scenario is the result of a combination of “low energy use for air conditioning compared to energy needs” and an “aging building stock with poor energy performance,” according to the analysis document of the Long-Term Strategy for Building Renovation (ELPRE), which was open for public consultation before the summer and confirmed the “expected low thermal comfort in homes in Portugal.” This work was developed by members of the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG), the Energy Agency (Adene), and the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) at the request of the Executive.
Subsidized works
Conditions:
- Individual homeowners;
- Single-family and multi-family buildings, autonomous units built before 2006;
- Mainland Portugal.
Eligible expenses:
- The costs of purchasing new solutions included in the project types up to the maximum amounts established
- Expenses invoiced and paid in full and subject to delivery or installation and which meet the following criteria:
- date after September 7, 2020;
- used for the sole purpose of achieving the objective(s) of this Incentive;
- comply with tax and contribution legislation.
How does the support program work?
Required documents:
- Beneficiary
- Citizen card or ID card number
- Certificate of no debt to the AT or consultation authorization
- Certificate of no debt to the SS or consultation authorization
- NIB
Building
- Energy certificate, when applicable
- Property registration certificate
- Housing license
- Receipt
- Photographic evidence of intervention (before and after)
Project
- Class + energy label
- System energy label
- Technical installer certificates
- ANQUIP certification
- Certification or label relating to eco-materials.
Source: idealistanews