Esther Somers

The European Commission provides funding through City-zen for energy efficient home renovations. Amsterdam Smart City is looking for inspiring and innovative projects in Amsterdam. Some residents have already taken this step, like Wigger Verschoor from Amsterdam North, who has almost completed his home energy efficient home renovation.

Why did you decide to renovate your home?

'Practice what you preach'. I work at Urgenda (The Urgenda Foundation aims for a fast transition towards a sustainable society with a circular economy). As Projectleader for ThuisBaas we work towards zero energy of existing homes in Zaandam, a city close to Amsterdam.

Did you consider the idea of retrofitting your home, for a long time?

Yes, but I waited until we decided to buy and move to a another house. Once you start remodelling, the decision to retrofit and include energy-saving measures is a logical choice. My reason to energy efficient renovate is however more substantive than financial. Experimenting in an Amsterdam situation, replacing gas with electricity, that made it really interesting. Thanks to the City-zen funding I was able to take that extra step.

What energy measures are you most proud of and which measures have the greatest impact?

We have chosen for new window frames with HR ++ in our home. And to become truly energy efficient, we opted for smart solutions such as an air-water heat pump (with a large buffer vessel of up to 400 liters) and smart radiators. I am most proud of the advanced cascaded heating system of the heat pump, which probably provides the best returns.

How much money have you invested in total in the renovation and in the energy saving measures?

The renovation cost about € 35,000. As it was a “shell” house so we had to install a kitchen, bathroom, ceilings and floors. The energy-saving measures cost around € 25,000 euro, including the new window frames. The City-zen grant was € 6,300.

How much you save on your energy costs?

I can start calculating in August 2016 once I live in my house for one year exactly. And next year, once the new window frames and double glazing is in, then I will calculate again. With the emphasis that there are always variables you need to take into account. I recently became a father, which means you spend more time at home, these things obviously have an effect on energy bills.

What are the learning opportunities and tips for others?

It is very important to find a contractor and installer who is knowledgeable and trustworthy, with a good track record and who works with specified prices. You’ll ask other people for advice and read up about renovations. It takes a lot of time and energy, but you also get a lot in return!

Interview by Esther Somers, Communications Manager Amsterdam Smart City - City-zenHomeowners' associations, housing associations and individuals to apply for grants. For more info: www.amsterdamsmartcity.nl/subsidie

An interview with City-zen recipient Marjolein Cazemier, who together with other 9 families, transformed a former schoolbuilding in Amsterdam Nieuw West into family homes.

On our way to become a natural gas free city, many residential buildings in Amsterdam need to be retrofitted. In City-zen the most ambitious ones were granted subsidy.

City-zen was an international consortium, a program stimulating learning-by-doing in Grenoble and Amsterdam between March 2014 and November 2019. The results can be found in a booklet or in detailed reports. http://www.cityzen-smartcity.eu/home/reporting/deliverables/

Read our interviews with some of the individual home-owners:

• Koos Marinus, who renovated his single family rowhouse
• Frank Hylkema, who made his houseboat energy friendly
• Jan Pel, who now has a sustainable apartment
• Marjolein Cazemier, who together with other 9 families, transformed a former schoolbuilding into family homes.

Learn more about some of the larger projects:

• How to make post war buildingssustainable?
• VIDEO: Wath this video (in Dutch) about how social housing company Eigen Haard renovated 138 apartments in the post war Airey Buildings in Amsterdam Nieuw-West with the support of City-zen funding:

Have a look at the MURMUR2 Campaign in City-zen city Grenoble and the work of the social landlords over there.

The new and final City-zen funding round for ambitious and innovative energy efficient home renovations in Amsterdam has started. Amsterdam Smart City is looking for inspiring and innovative model projects that qualify for this European grant. The main criterion is a significant improvement of the energy. Renovations of existing private homes, or VVE's are given priority, but housing corporations or investors can also register their projects.
The first renovation projects are already being realized among others by Amsterdam City Council in Amstedram West, housing associations Eigen Haard and Rochdale. The first Amsterdammers have also taken action and have renovated their homes in an energy efficient an innovative way. Like Wigger Verschoor from Amsterdam North, who is in the final stages of his home renovation. And Marjolein Cazemier, who along with nine other families, has transformed an old school building in Amsterdam Oud-West to self-sufficient energy-efficient homes.

Want to know if your project qualifies for the City-zen grant? Visit our site www.amsterdamsmartcity.nl/subsidie You can register until June 30, 2016.

EU Funded FP7 project on Urban Energy Transition in Amsterdam and Grenoble. Includes demonstrations, games and research.

City-zen was an international consortium, a program stimulating learning-by-doing in Grenoble and Amsterdam between March 2014 and November 2019. The results can be found in a booklet or in detailed reports. http://www.cityzen-smartcity.eu/home/reporting/deliverables/