FAQ

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In all cases, a properly executed energy retrofit improves the energy efficiency of the building and helps to reduce dependence on higher energy prices by reducing energy consumption for heating. In order to guarantee the sustainability of a dwelling and to maintain/increase its value, its maintenance and modernisation need to be considered in view of the long term. Whereas some retrofitted elements might depreciate in 10 or 20 years, for other elements this can happen much faster. To learn more about the potential for improving the energy efficiency of your home, request a free energy assessment with a Klima-Agence adviser.

Various State and municipal aid is also available to help finance your energy retrofitting project.

The approved energy adviser is responsible for:

• carrying out on-site energy consulting;
• drafting the "conclusive report" (a comprehensive inventory of the property in question, the content of which must include a description of the property, the date of the site visit, the energy performance certificate prior to the retrofit and an integral energy renovation concept);
• checking the conformity of the offers to the measures proposed in the above-mentioned energy retrofitting concept;
• checking the conformity of the implementation on site with the measures proposed in the energy retrofitting concept;
• drafting a final report that must be attached to the request for payment of financial aid; 
• completing the forms for the request for an agreement in principle and for the payment of financial aid.

The quality assurance system for approved energy advisers within the meaning of the Klimabonus subsidy scheme includes the following:

• verification of the basic qualifications of the energy adviser;
• verification of any additional qualifications of the energy adviser;
• checking and approval, prior to certification, of an energy consultation report for a retrofitting project;
• a timely and regular quality control system, including: 
  • quality control of the services provided by energy advisers;
  • checking compliance with the conditions associated with the ongoing training of energy advisers, and
  • implementation of a customer evaluation system.

Since January 2017, energy advisers have been able to obtain certification by submitting an approval application to the Environmental Administration. Approval is conditional on membership of the OAI (architect or engineer in accordance with the Law of 13 December 1989) or an authorisation in accordance with the Grand Ducal Regulation of 10 February 1999 on the approval of natural or legal persons, private or public, other than the State, for the performance of technical study and control tasks in the field of energy, as amended.

From 15 December 2018, approved energy advisers will have to join a quality assurance system in the field of energy and sustainability consultancy for residential buildings with a body contracted for this purpose by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure. 

Benefit from financial support of up to 50% of the investment cost!

Under Article 4(h) of the Law of 31 May 1999, as amended, establishing a fund for the protection of the environmental, municipal administrations, municipal associations and public bodies under the supervision of the municipalities may receive aid covering up to 50% of the investment cost for projects for the rational use of energy and the promotion of new and renewable energy sources. This financial aid is accessible to all municipalities, regardless of their commitment to the climate pact.

Yes, the EPC training courses developed by the Ministry are open to everyone, including municipal employees. They can be booked on the Internet portal www.guichet.lu/experts-energie. In addition, in 2017 a workshop was organised on the subject of site inspections led jointly by the Ministry of the Economy, Klima-Agence and Syvicol. Klima-Agence is also prepared to strengthen its collaboration with the municipalities. If necessary, the municipality can contact the qualified adviser at Klima-Agence. Some additional EPC training courses are also available on the main Luxembourg training portals.

With regard to building permits, the municipalities systematically check that buildings are set back from the municipal public domain or plot boundaries.

As a rule, the planning regulations for setbacks are regulated by the municipalities in their General Development Plan (Plan d’Aménagement Général, PAG) or in the Special Development Plans (Plans d’Aménagement Particulier, PAP).

For municipalities whose PAG has not yet been adapted to include current legislation, the planning regulations relating to setbacks are still included in the written part of the PAG or in the building regulations. For these municipalities, the measurement of setbacks in the event of energy retrofitting is set out individually, by municipality, in those documents.

On the other hand, for those municipalities whose PAGs have been completely revised since 2011, the Grand Ducal Regulation that is the basis for the applicable definitions provides that the building setbacks are to be measured without the additional insulating layer in the case of an energy retrofit.

In both cases, the municipalities can include derogation mechanisms in their regulations in order to promote energy retrofitting, for example through a reduction in the minimum setback to be observed.

Since 1 January 2017, every new construction of a residential building in Luxembourg must be a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in terms of energy consumption. As a rule, the NZEB corresponds to the AAA energy classes. However, certain conditions relating to the construction location may cause variations in these energy classes.