Transform your home into an efficient, sustainable space

In light of this burgeoning interest in  property renovation, Transformación y Resiliencia de la Economía española (Transformation and Resilience of the Spanish Economy), UCI (Union of Property Credits), and its home renovation channel créditos.com analysed the main renovations and the estimated cost of converting a house into an efficient and sustainable home depending on its age.

Needed renovations according to the age of the property

• Houses aged 40–70 years (1950–1980): these account for 42% of Spanish homes (10.4 million). They are mostly buildings with concrete structures made of aluminous cement, often built with low-quality materials, which means that the structure may be significantly compromised.

Initial renovations in these homes should focus on elements connecting to the outside, such as walls, façades, and windows. The estimated cost of these works ranges from €20,000 to €40,000 for a 90- to 120-square-metre property. However, these structural changes often affect the entire building.

It is also advisable to inspect the condition of the installations (electrical and plumbing). In many cases, the latter may be made of lead or galvanised steel (materials that pose health risks), so it is advisable to completely change the installation and avoid 'patchwork' solutions that combine old and new materials.

• Houses aged 20–40 years (1980–2000): these account for 27% of properties (6.5 million). Although they were built with higher-quality materials, they were constructed before the building code came into effect (and did not take efficiency and sustainability criteria into account).

The main improvements required by these types of homes are replacing windows (replacing them with ones that have airtight seals and double glazing can result in energy savings of up to 30%) and installing insulation in walls and ceilings (such as polystyrene, mineral wool, EPS boards, or wood fibre panels). They also involve installing underfloor heating (with an average cost between €12,000 and €16,000) and renovating kitchens and bathrooms (costing between €10,000 and €20,000).

Based on these renovations, modernising a property of this age may cost around €20,000 to €30,000.

• Homes aged 10–20 years (2002–2011): these account for 18% of the Spanish property stock (3.9 million properties).

These buildings were erected according to energy efficiency criteria. That said, although their materials and structure are designed to help insulate the home from the outside, they still require maintenance to keep everything in good condition (heating and insulation for windows, floors, and walls).

The most highly recommended renovations for these newly built homes include replacing inefficient heating systems (for example, gas) with efficient, renewable alternatives such as air source heat pumps. In these cases, an investment of between €10,000 and €25,000 can lead to energy savings ranging from 35% to 70%.

It is also advisable to invest in photovoltaic solar panels for hot water and electricity. Finally, home automation can significantly contribute to achieving a more efficient home (temperature controllers, etc.).

It is highly recommended to speak to a professional for advice on the most suitable renovations for your home and the associated costs.

Install efficient appliances and heat pumps

An increasing number of users are demanding more efficient and durable household appliances. The focus has shifted away from performance and power alone. Since information about energy efficiency has been available to consumers, most brands have strived to implement the latest technology to meet their expectations. This allows us to save money and get the most from our investments.

Opting for more efficient appliances means benefiting from reduced consumption, savings, and more sustainable use of energy. This way, we achieve better results for less effort and improve our day-to-day lives.

On the other hand, one of the most efficient heating solutions available for our homes is heat pumps. These systems are not widely used in Spain, but they are expected to become one of the most popular heating sources in the coming years due to their significant advantages over other systems.

Heat pumps work similarly to refrigerators, but in reverse. What's more, if they are reversible, they can be used for both heating and cooling the home as needed. Their main advantage is that they do not produce heat; instead, they collect it. The energy they use comes from aerothermal sources, extracting heat from the outdoor air, even when it is at very low temperatures.

This makes them more energy efficient as more heating power is attained with lower energy consumption. In fact, the energy extracted from the air can result in energy consumption reductions of up to 70% compared to other systems.

By making your home more efficient and sustainable, not only will you improve your quality of life, but you will also be caring for the environment and reducing your energy bill.