Marta Gellová: From the perspective of energy savings, comprehensive renovations bring the greatest effect
The Nová zelená úsporám program will reopen for owners of family and apartment buildings and will support both comprehensive and partial renovations. It will also concern retirees, who often live in more energy-demanding buildings and at the same time have the least options to finance the renovation from their own resources. For a typical apartment in an apartment building, renovation can mean a savings of approximately ten thousand crowns annually on heating, explains in an interview Marta Gellová, director of the Šance pro budovy alliance.
What is the future of energy-efficient and eco-friendly construction in our country?
Sustainable and energy-efficient construction will be one of the main topics in Czech construction in the coming years. The Czech housing stock mostly consists of older buildings. A large portion of apartment buildings were constructed between the 1960s and 1990s. The energy demand of these buildings is still relatively high. Therefore, the potential for energy savings in the Czech Republic remains very significant. This applies not only to the residential sector but also to public buildings.
Building renovations are not just a matter of energy or climate policy. A well-renovated house or apartment provides higher living comfort, a healthier indoor environment, and most importantly, lower operating costs, which is extremely valuable in today's volatile times. Housing expenses are among the largest items in family budgets today, and energy savings can significantly reduce their long-term burden.
And how does the work of the Chance for Buildings Alliance contribute to this?
The Chance for Buildings brings together more than 350 entities from the entire sector. From manufacturers of building materials and technologies, through designers to energy specialists and financial institutions. We connect companies and experts who share a common goal: to support the development of sustainable construction and energy-efficient renovations.
To achieve a real shift in this area, it is important to bring in an expert perspective from practice and be a partner for the government and other institutions. Thanks to a broad membership base, we can bring market-wide experiences to public debate and represent the industry in discussions about the shape of support programs and legislation.
What do you think about the fact that the New Green Savings program will continue under the new government?
We consider the continuation of the program to be very important. Today, the New Green Savings is one of the main tools in the Czech Republic supporting building renovations, and in the European context, it ranks among the most successful and long-running programs of this type.
However, it is also good to remember that building renovations are a long-term process, and no single program will solve it on its own. The key is primarily the stability and continuity of support, as well as the predictability of conditions. This applies both to households and the construction sector. Neither would work without sufficient availability of information and strengthening motivation for renovations.
What do you consider a key point in this program?
The key is for the program to long-term motivate energy savings and not just be perceived as a subsidy tool. The purpose of renovations should primarily be to reduce energy consumption, and thereby achieve long-term reductions in building operation costs. Renovations also increase the property's value and reduce households' vulnerability to energy price fluctuations, which have been significantly affected by the geopolitical situation in recent years. The positive impact on the family budget can also be reflected in later stages of life when household incomes usually decrease. The stability of the program is equally important. Renovating a house is an investment for decades, and households need assurance that the basic principles of support will not fundamentally change at short intervals.
For what type of renovations is the New Green Savings program designed?
The program allows for both partial and comprehensive renovations. In terms of energy savings, however, the greatest effect is achieved through comprehensive renovations, where the building is addressed as a whole, including the building envelope, technical systems, and energy source.
In practice, however, there are often gradual, partial modifications. If the individual measures do not follow each other and are not well coordinated, part of the potential savings may be lost. Therefore, it is important for the support system to better motivate thoughtful and comprehensive solutions that will bring maximum economic effect. Planned renovation passports can also help, allowing households to better plan their renovation and correctly time each step.
Can you provide a specific example of how renovating a house can be worthwhile?
For a typical apartment in a residential building, renovation can mean a savings of approximately ten thousand crowns per year on heating. For family houses, the savings can be even more significant. These savings also recur every subsequent year, so from a long-term perspective, it is a significant economic benefit. In addition to energy savings, renovations also bring other benefits. For example, higher living comfort, a more stable indoor environment, or an increase in property value.
Does the New Green Savings think about pensioners?
The program also considers vulnerable households, such as seniors with lower incomes. For these groups, direct subsidy support is maintained, even in the case of apartment buildings. Therefore, it is possible to apply for support for low-income households within an apartment building. This is important because low-income households often live in more energy-demanding buildings and at the same time have the least space to finance renovations from their own resources.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, a system for preparing and processing the so-called renovation passport for family and apartment buildings is also being developed. How do you view this?
The renovation passport can be a very useful tool if it is set up correctly. Building renovation is quite a complex process, and many households are unsure how to properly combine individual measures. The renovation passport can help create a clear renovation plan, outlining which steps make sense, in what order to implement them, and what energy savings they can bring.
Final question: you have been in your position for almost three years. What is it like to lead such an organization as a woman?
In this position, it is important not only to be knowledgeable about the subject matter and legislation, but primarily to have the ability to listen, connect different perspectives, seek common solutions, and communicate them further. And I believe that the same skills were required by my predecessors who led Chance for Buildings before me.
Continuity is also crucial here. The longer I serve in this role, the better I understand the needs of individual alliance members, and the more metaphorical doors I can open when negotiating with the public sector. My main role is to create a space for constructive dialogue between the public administration and various parts of the sector.
For this role, I consider practicality and a focus on finding solutions to be important. These are qualities that are close to me and are very useful in leading such an organization. At the same time, I am grateful for the support of my male colleagues, who are knowledgeable in technical details. Just like in everyday life, cooperation is also needed in the professional sphere. We have it within the alliance, and I am very grateful for it.
Thank you for the interview.
Sources: editorial team, interview
