The costs of thermal insulation usually amount to less than 5% of the total building costs. However, energy costs determine the lifetime costs of a building to such an extent that this relatively small investment plays a major role in deciding about 40% of the overall costs.

What is to be gained from investing an up to extra 3% of building costs to better thermal insulation? To start with, we would have only half the energy loss through the roof, walls and floors, bringing about substantial savings. The payback time of energy-saving investments can be as short as five years.

On top of the savings, builders and renovators will also reap the benefits of increased market values. The improved energy performance will manifest itself beyond doubt in the new certification standard, to be presented in all real estate and housing transactions, whether selling or letting, according to the new EU Directive.