How quickly can you benefit from sustainability investments?

Are sustainability investments right for your business?

The energy market is uncertain and constantly changing. Investing in sustainability makes you less dependent on price fluctuations and you save energy.  "Unfortunately, there is also a downside," says Sven Ringelberg, an energy expert at simpelsubsidie.nl. He helps municipalities and housing associations save energy. "In today's market, energy-saving products such as insulation and heat pumps are in high demand, resulting in shortages. This has made products more expensive and has caused waiting times of up to 6 months in some cases.

Sustainability investments are still interesting despite higher material costs and longer waiting times because you benefit from lower energy costs throughout the life cycle of your investment.

LED lighting

Investing in LED lighting pays off because although the initial price of LED lighting is much higher than old-fashioned light bulbs, it consumes a lot less energy. After about 2.5 years, LED becomes a cheaper alternative overall. Besides, you do not have to call in expert help: you can usually replace your lighting yourself. Make the switch to LED lighting to start saving money now (in Dutch).

Moreover, LED lighting tends to last a lot longer than traditional alternatives. On average, an LED bulb will last about 15 years. Because of its long lifespan, you replace an LED bulb less often than other types of bulb. This in turn saves waste.

Saving energy for tenants

Are you renting? The law does not specify whether tenants or landlords are responsible for implementing energy-saving measures. Talk to your landlord about making the property more sustainable and find out what you can do together.

Solar panels

Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular. According to Ringelberg, you will earn back your investment in business solar panels in an average of 7 to 9 years. Solar panels last for 20 to 25 years, so after recovering your investment, you will have years of free solar power. Research the condition of your building well in advance, though. Most problems arise with the construction of the roof, says Ringelberg. "Many roofs cannot support the extra weight of solar panels. In that situation, first see whether you can refurbish the roof insulation. In doing so, you can immediately improve the supporting structure of your roof."

Heat pump

If your property is well insulated, a heat pump may be an interesting investment and a sustainable alternative to a traditional central heating boiler. "If your office building does not have a class-A energy label, opt for a hybrid heat pump to cut back on your gas consumption," Ringelberg recommends. “You will see your energy use change right away. And it generally takes 8 to 10 years to get back your investment."

Insulation

It is important to make sure that commercial buildings are properly insulated. The better you are able to trap heat or cold air in your building, the lower your energy bill will be. Did you know that energy costs can be up to 30% lower in a well-insulated building?

Roof insulation

Warm air rises and if your roof insulation is poor, heat will easily dissipate through your roof. Insulating your roof properly can cut lost energy by up to 30%. You will recover your investment within 5 to 10 years (in Dutch). There are many different insulation materials to choose from, such as PIR, PUR, and glass wool. Insulating your roof costs anywhere from €80 to €240 per m2. Consult an energy adviser to discover the best option for you.

Cavity wall insulation

If your commercial building was built before 1980, the cavity walls may not be insulated. In this case, 25% of all energy is lost through the walls. Having a cavity wall insulated is a relatively simple procedure. A specialist injects insulation material into the wall through small holes in the outer wall, which are then filled. When complete, you will have a well-insulated outer wall within a few hours and with minimal inconvenience.

The costs for cavity wall insulation average between €15 and €25 per m2, depending on the materials. You will recover this investment within 5 years.

Glass insulation

13% of the heat in your building is lost through your windows. To change this, replace your double glazing with high-efficiency glazing. HR++ glazing, for instance, performs a lot better than standard double glazing. And it can even be installed in the same window frames. HR++ glass costs on average €175 per m2, and will lower your overall gas use by 24 m3 per year, per m2.

If your window frames are also in need of replacement, you can choose to have HR+++ glazing installed. This triple glazing is an even better insulator than HR++ glass, but can only be installed in new window frames. At €240 per m2, HR+++ glazing is considerably more expensive than HR++ glazing, but it will help you save 29 m3 of gas per m2 of glazing. Enquiries with various glass suppliers show that you will recover your investment in high-efficiency glass on average between 7 and 13 years. The glass lasts 25 years on average.