FAQ

Since 1 January 2017 (date of the energy consultant's invoice), thermal insulation must meet energy efficiency and durability criteria. The energy efficiency criteria correspond in substance to those of the previous PRIMe House scheme and are expressed in four energy performance standards.

The durability criteria refer to the environmental quality and nature of the thermal insulation, as well as the way in which it is attached.

Environmental quality is defined by the environmental impact of insulation materials assessed using the environmental indicator I_eco12.

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. 

Under the Klimabonus subsidy scheme, only energy advisers approved by the Minister for the Environment are able to draft reports relating to energy advice. An energy adviser must be approved by the Minister for the Environment in accordance with the Law of 21 April 1993.

(Law of 21 April 1993 on the approval of natural persons or legal entities, private or public, other than the State, for the performance of technical study and verification tasks in the environmental field).

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.

The possibility of developing integrated housing in single-family homes is dealt with in the Particular Development Plan (PAP). For PAGs that have been completely revised since 2011, the development of an integrated dwelling is permitted unless the municipality expressly rejects it in the PAP.

According to the Grand Ducal Regulation in force, an integrated dwelling is defined as additional accommodation forming part of a single-family house and belonging to the owner of the main dwelling. In theory, integrated dwellings allow for a soft densification of existing structures.