How to obtain funding for the construction of an energy-efficient house?

The costs of building an energy-efficient house can be 15-35% higher compared to the costs that have to be incurred in the case of a traditional house. At the same time, the operation of such a building is definitely cheaper, we use several times less electricity, not only paying less for bills, but also protecting the natural environment from pollution. It is for this reason that a project has been created that provides for subsidies for energy-efficient houses from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW). However, if you want to obtain funding for the construction of a house, you must meet certain requirements and complete formalities.

Table of contents

• What is the EUco index and what is its significance for co-financing the construction of an energy-efficient house?
• Are you building an energy-efficient house? Funding step by step

What is the EUco index and what is its significance for co-financing the construction of an energy-efficient house?

Subsidies for the construction of a house are largely dependent on the EUco index and it depends on it whether they will be paid and in what amount. It informs us about the unit demand of the building for energy that is intended for heating purposes. For single-family houses, there are the following standards:

• – NF40 standard – EUco ≤ 40 kWh/(m²·year) – surcharge of PLN 30,000 gross
• – standard NF15 – EUco ≤ 15 kWh/( m²·year) – surcharge in the amount of PLN 50,000 gross

The values are different for multi-family houses, where:

• – NF40 standard – EUco ≤ 40 kWh/( m·year) – surcharge in the amount of PLN 11,000 gross
• – standard NF15 – EUco ≤ 15 kWh/( m·year) – surcharge in the amount of PLN 16,000 gross

We calculate the EUco index taking into account several key factors, which include, m.in. the number of residents, ventilation and heating system, climate zone and cardinal directions, as well as the level of shading of all windows in the building. Therefore, applications for a subsidy for the construction of a house are always considered individually. The amount of subsidies planned for the years 2013-2022 is impressive and amounts to PLN 300 million.

Are you building an energy-efficient house? Funding step by step

In order to be able to apply for subsidies for energy-efficient houses, you must first prepare a construction project, which will also include information about the demand for usable energy. The project must also comply with the requirements of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. It is also necessary to obtain a building permit, for this purpose an application must be submitted to the department of architecture in the district office. In the next stage, the construction project is verified by a verifier, who you can choose from the list of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, available on the website of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. The requirements must be confirmed, and this applies to, for m.in, detailed designs in the field of ventilation or calculations of the building’s energy performance. Funding for the construction of a house can only be obtained if the next step is to choose a contractor for the project. After verification of the project, we apply for a loan with a subsidy. In the case of building a single-family house, such an application should be accompanied by appropriate documents, such as: a construction design, a statement confirming compliance with the guidelines of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, a document confirming the disposal of the property and, of course, a building permit.

After all these stages, the application is verified by the bank. A positive assessment means that the loan with a subsidy has been granted. We can start building. During its duration, the bank will require us to document the individual stages of construction and purchase equipment and materials to meet the criteria of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. After the construction is completed, the house is verified and a leak test is performed. The compliance of individual parameters with the design and the requirements of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management is checked. If the verification is positive, we can apply for a subsidy for the construction of a house, presenting a set of documents, including an acceptance protocol, a certificate confirming the achievement of the energy standard, as well as an extract from the land and mortgage register. The last stage is the receipt of the subsidy and partial repayment of the loan.

Only the fulfillment of strictly defined conditions by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, as well as covering a long distance along with completing all the steps one by one, is a guarantee of receiving a subsidy for the construction of an energy-efficient house. The support of project contractors, as well as experts in the construction of energy-efficient houses, who will not only take the appropriate measurements, but also present the conditions that must be met, can be very helpful. Find out what it looks like to build an energy-efficient house and enjoy a great home.