Guarantee Real Estate does not wait until the obligation of a minimum energy label C for offices becomes final. The real estate company is already planning energy-saving measures for the Laan Corpus den Hoorn office building in Groningen. The office building goes from energy label E via C to A.
“We want to achieve a certain level of quality for our tenants in terms of sustainability and comfort,” says Rick Homan of Waarborg Vastgoed. “The mandatory energy label C encouraged us, but we also think sustainability is important. We want to comply with the Environmental Management Act and maintain and increase the value and rentability of the property in order to continue cash flows.”
Energy performance advice
Waarborg Vastgoed had an energy performance advice drawn up for the 2,917 m2 office building2. This provided clarity about the current and desirable situation: what is necessary and feasible and at what investment. Homan: “The building has energy label E. Our ambition is energy label A. But in order to reach a higher level in the short term, we split our approach into two steps. From energy label E to C. Then label C to Energy Label A.”
Energy saving measures
The step to energy label C can be made quickly. “We are already achieving this by replacing all conventional fluorescent fixtures and incandescent lamps with LED lighting with presence detection and daylight-dependent control. We also insulate central heating pipes and fittings. We install thermostatic valves on the radiators. And we are improving the heating, which can then also be controlled remotely.”
Homan had also thought about the measures towards energy label A. “Renewal of the roof, floor insulation and solar panels are now on the list. We have already applied for the SDE+ subsidy for the solar panels.”
Equity or debt
The company must complete the first sustainability step of almost exclusively installation technical adjustments this year. It is an investment of 35,000 to 40,000 euros. Homan: “We can make it to energy label C on our own. We need outside capital to make the jump to label A. We are in discussions with ING about the financing, which should supplement our own resources.”
