FAQ

The obligated parties have a certain degree of freedom in their choice of energy efficiency measures. In order to guide their services, they can achieve energy savings either through standardised measures or specific measures. The standardised measures set out different example cases and set flat-rate energy saving values for the following families of measures:

•  Thermal envelope of buildings (walls, windows, roofs, slabs)
• Heat production
• Mechanical ventilation
• Household appliances
• Office equipment
• Lighting
• Transversal industrial techniques (motors, pumps, ventilation, compressed air, boilers, refrigeration)
• Management energy
• Transport (replacement of cars).

Energy efficiency measures not included in the catalogue of measures are to be considered as specific measures, which cannot be accounted for by the obligated parties in case of certain calculation principles and if no standardised measures are applicable.

In order to claim for energy efficiency measures, the obligated parties must demonstrate that they have played an incentive role in carrying out the measures. This means that they must support the consumer who carries out the measure in question with a direct contribution. For example, this incentive might take the form of advice, technical support or a financial contribution. These incentives must be provided before the consumer orders the measure in question.

The obligated parties are electricity and natural gas suppliers active in Luxembourg.
Please check the website of the Luxembourg Regulatory Institute for a complete list of these suppliers.

To initiate energy efficiency measures, the obligated parties are free to act themselves or to use third party implementers.

In principle, the energy savings that can be accounted for by the obligated parties can be in any energy carrier, including fuels, oil, natural gas and electricity.

In principle, all energy consumers are affected, whether households, businesses or the public sector.

The implementation of this obligation mechanism was born out of the desire to achieve the objectives set out in the national energy policy on energy efficiency more effectively.

This measure allows the obligated parties to seize the opportunity to expand their business models and offer energy services to consumers. The experiences of other EU Member States that have already implemented such a mechanism have shown that this approach, based on sound regulation, makes possible the subsequent deployment of energy efficiency measures.

Houses are used for decades; in terms of their maintenance and modernisation, one must therefore take a long-term view. Every owner who adopts a sustainable approach will invest in the building to maintain or increase its value. Some measures pay for themselves very quickly, others only after 10 or 20 years. In all cases, a properly executed energy retrofit contributes to reducing dependence on rising energy prices by reducing energy consumption for heating. And even if, in rented buildings, the savings in heating energy do not immediately compensate for any increase in rent, one must always take into consideration the fact that heating energy prices are constantly rising. In most cases, therefore, the measures pay off in the long term.

When calculating the cost of an energy modernisation, don't forget that many measures will have to be implemented sooner or later and that financial aid can be requested today.

If you rely on non-airtight windows to ensure good ventilation, you are sure to make a mistake and it will be an expensive error: the exchange of air takes place in a purely random way, depending on the weather conditions and air pressure. On the other hand, on the coldest days you can be sure that you will suffer from heat loss. In addition, there is a risk that moisture in the air will condense on single-glazed windows, leading to the formation of mould. Windows that are not airtight will lead to an unpleasant indoor climate and unnecessarily high heating costs.

In the case of retrofitting, new windows must be installed by a specialist who not only works with the latest materials but also ensures that existing thermal bridges are eliminated.

Mould growth is caused by poor construction standards or poor/insufficient ventilation, not by levels of insulation.

In fact, if you insulate your house properly, you will prevent mould growth. This can be seen in many passive houses and in buildings undergoing energy retrofitting. These buildings are well insulated, airtight and completely free of mould. If the external walls are not satisfactorily insulated or not insulated at all, air moisture condenses in the cold areas, thus giving rise to the development of mould. Thermal insulation of the façade tends to raise the surface temperature of the external wall and prevent moisture from accumulating.

In this context, it is important to identify and eliminate all thermal bridges in the building. These include, for example, window apertures, i.e. the wall surfaces facing into the window or door openings, against which the respective frames are placed. In addition, external walls should not be encumbered with furniture, as this prevents the indoor air from circulating, meaning that the surfaces behind any furniture cool down.

Therefore, in summary, proper insulation of the façade and adequate ventilation are key measures that prevent mould growth.