TY - RPRT
T1 - Possible financing schemes for one-stop-shop service for sustainable renovation of single-family houses
AU - Mahapatra, Krushna
AU - Gustavsson, Leif
AU - Haavik, Trond
AU - Aabrekk, Synnøve
AU - Tommerup, Henrik M.
AU - Svendsen, Svend
AU - Paiho, Satu
AU - Ala-Juusela, Mia
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - There are significant potentials to improve energy efficiency of single-family houses in the Nordic
countries. Technical solutions exist, but there are market and financial barriers to implementation of
such measures. The aim of this report is to identify financial barriers to implement energy efficiency
measures in Nordic single family houses and to discuss options to address those barriers.
In the initial phase of a market formation, the targeted potential customers (the “innovators” who
are few in numbers) usually have capacity to invest in energy-efficient measures. However, such
measures, though cost effective in a life-cycle perspective, often incur high investment cost and
majority of the consumers tend to stick to the least efficient products. Moreover, a lack of awareness
about the possible energy efficiency measures, including their benefits, and the uncertainty
regarding the level of energy savings due to a lack of standardised measurements and verifications
protocol may not encourage, both the customers and financiers, to go for energy efficiency
investments. Financiers perceive energy efficiency projects as risky investments maybe because of
their small size, difficulty to control energy use behaviour of the occupants and the difficulty to
predict future energy prices.
The options to finance energy efficiency renovations include homeowners’ own resources, mortgage
refinancing, flex loan, personal loan, financing by service providers, preferential loan,
subsidies/grants, credit cards, and financing supported by guarantee on energy savings. Each option
has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is less likely that the one-stop-shop service providers in
Nordic countries, at present, will give any guarantee on actual savings in energy use or cost. But, such
a concept is emerging in some European countries and could be an option in future.
The best option to finance energy efficiency improvements in Nordic countries seems to be that onestop-
shop service providers collaborate with commercial banks to offer mortgage refinancing. Such a
mechanism is convenient for the homeowners, and banks will have a less risky asset in their
portfolio. In situations where homeowners cannot avail additional mortgage financing, e.g. those
who recently purchased a house and used the limit to such loans, banks may consider an energy
efficient renovation plan prepared by an entrepreneur and pre-evaluate the post-renovation value of
the house. This pre-renovation valuation could form the basis for the bank to confirm the
homeowner and the service provider that certain amount of investment cost would be available from
mortgage refinancing. To cover the cost that exceeds the amount available from mortgage financing
(or base loan), national governments may consider to provide soft loans or subsidies.
In countries where tax deduction on home renovation is available, amendments should be made to
such programs to incorporate specific requirements regarding energy efficiency of implemented
measures. Also, higher tax deduction could be offered for energy efficiency improvement than for
other renovation. Moreover, a simple tool to inform the homeowners about the cost-efficiency of
energy renovation investment would be that banks and utilities collaborate to send a joint invoice
which contains the monthly cost of mortgage loan and the energy cost.
AB - There are significant potentials to improve energy efficiency of single-family houses in the Nordic
countries. Technical solutions exist, but there are market and financial barriers to implementation of
such measures. The aim of this report is to identify financial barriers to implement energy efficiency
measures in Nordic single family houses and to discuss options to address those barriers.
In the initial phase of a market formation, the targeted potential customers (the “innovators” who
are few in numbers) usually have capacity to invest in energy-efficient measures. However, such
measures, though cost effective in a life-cycle perspective, often incur high investment cost and
majority of the consumers tend to stick to the least efficient products. Moreover, a lack of awareness
about the possible energy efficiency measures, including their benefits, and the uncertainty
regarding the level of energy savings due to a lack of standardised measurements and verifications
protocol may not encourage, both the customers and financiers, to go for energy efficiency
investments. Financiers perceive energy efficiency projects as risky investments maybe because of
their small size, difficulty to control energy use behaviour of the occupants and the difficulty to
predict future energy prices.
The options to finance energy efficiency renovations include homeowners’ own resources, mortgage
refinancing, flex loan, personal loan, financing by service providers, preferential loan,
subsidies/grants, credit cards, and financing supported by guarantee on energy savings. Each option
has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is less likely that the one-stop-shop service providers in
Nordic countries, at present, will give any guarantee on actual savings in energy use or cost. But, such
a concept is emerging in some European countries and could be an option in future.
The best option to finance energy efficiency improvements in Nordic countries seems to be that onestop-
shop service providers collaborate with commercial banks to offer mortgage refinancing. Such a
mechanism is convenient for the homeowners, and banks will have a less risky asset in their
portfolio. In situations where homeowners cannot avail additional mortgage financing, e.g. those
who recently purchased a house and used the limit to such loans, banks may consider an energy
efficient renovation plan prepared by an entrepreneur and pre-evaluate the post-renovation value of
the house. This pre-renovation valuation could form the basis for the bank to confirm the
homeowner and the service provider that certain amount of investment cost would be available from
mortgage refinancing. To cover the cost that exceeds the amount available from mortgage financing
(or base loan), national governments may consider to provide soft loans or subsidies.
In countries where tax deduction on home renovation is available, amendments should be made to
such programs to incorporate specific requirements regarding energy efficiency of implemented
measures. Also, higher tax deduction could be offered for energy efficiency improvement than for
other renovation. Moreover, a simple tool to inform the homeowners about the cost-efficiency of
energy renovation investment would be that banks and utilities collaborate to send a joint invoice
which contains the monthly cost of mortgage loan and the energy cost.
M3 - Report
T3 - Nordic Call on Sustainable Renovation NICe
BT - Possible financing schemes for one-stop-shop service for sustainable renovation of single-family houses
PB - Nordic Innovation Centre
ER -