Economy

Green house, here's how much it costs to adapt to European regulations

The interest in green homes, synonymous with sustainable construction and energy saving, is gaining more and more ground in the modern construction panorama. If until a few years ago the main question was “how can we transform our existing buildings into more energy efficient homes?”, today the real question concerns the costs and timescales necessary for the energy transition to be implemented.

Let's start with the boiler. The recent ratification of the EPBD Directive, also known as the Green Homes Directive, has sparked heated debate regarding the future of gas boilers. The original deadline for the installation of new models powered by methane gas and LPG, previously set for 2030, has been extended to 2040, generating uncertainties and questions among consumers. Through the contribution of the experts at Abbassalebollette.it, a portal specializing in energy efficiency and renewable sources, we try to clarify the issue in order to avoid unfounded alarmism.

We therefore asked a series of technicians how much the transition from a traditional boiler to a green ready gas boiler could cost, i.e. one powered by gas that has been designed and built with features and technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact . These boilers are designed to be compatible with more stringent environmental standards and to consume less energy than traditional boilers.

Starting from a two-room apartment, inhabited by a couple, the average price reported to us – between purchase and installation – is around 800 euros. The figure rises to 1,200 euros for a large apartment inhabited by a family with two children, and reaches almost 2,500 euros for a family living in a modest-sized detached house. With every phone call we are underlined “the importance of moving in time to still be able to take advantage of tax relief such as the 50% Ecobonus for simply replacing the boiler with a model of at least class A”. As for waiting and installation times, the answers remain very vague. If you choose the cheaper models, it is underlined that the wait will undoubtedly be longer and could last until the end of the summer. There are those who recommend avoiding work now, in a period of seasonal transition, and those who even recommend postponing it between September and October with the arrival of autumn. However, the average wait seems to be around two months.

One of the keys to increasing the energy efficiency of a building is to improve its thermal insulation. This can be achieved through the installation of insulating materials in the walls, roof and floors. Good insulation reduces heat loss and allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home throughout the year. So here we find ourselves talking about fixtures and their replacement. A sore point, especially when it comes to prices. In fact, fixtures represent critical points for heat loss, and replacing them with high energy performance fixtures can significantly reduce this waste. Double or triple glazing and hermetic closing systems are just some of the elements that can help improve the energy efficiency of windows and doors. The price, in this case, is a real sore point. If for a small studio apartment, without French windows, you can spend around 5,000 euros, for a standard two-room apartment the cost rises to 8,000 euros, which can go up to 10,000 in the case of balconies. The price rises when we talk about an independent house on two floors: in this case, considering all the variables, balconies, bathrooms and common areas, the figure can reach up to 25,000 euros. Waiting times also seem to make the transition complex. Most of the companies interviewed advise us to start the work between May and June, so as to be able to complete it within a month. Others do not offer availability until the end of summer, even going so far as to propose the end of October as the deadline for replacement. The motivation is not so much in the availability of the fixtures but in the management of the installation. The very high demand extends the times making them really long, especially if we consider that for a villa, working in steps, a minimum of 15 days of work is expected.

Finally we come to the choice of the heating and cooling system, another determining factor in the green transition. Opting for energy-efficient systems, such as heat pumps or solar energy systems, can significantly reduce your building's energy consumption. Integrating renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic solar panels or cogeneration systems is a further step towards a more sustainable and efficient home. Just talking about photovoltaic panels, we called some companies asking for quotes for the installation of 3kW panels in an independent house. For about ten panels the answer we are given is always the same: 8,500 euros. Some companies advise us to start with eight panels, increase to 10 by the end of the year and move on to 12 the following spring. Other companies recommend “not taking risks” and choosing a fixed minimum of 10 panels, to reach 12-15 during the following season. As for installation times, in this case they are extremely quick, with 20 days of work from the moment the contract is signed.