Nikodemová: The call for insulation for family houses is insufficient

The Buildings for the Future platform is responding to the call of the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic for applications for a subsidy of a maximum of 8,800 euros for the insulation of a family house older than 10 years.

Bratislava, May 5 (TASR) – Announcing a call for insulation for 150 family houses is a wasted opportunity to help the construction industry and stimulate domestic demand. At a time when the parliament has just approved the government's program statement, in which the cabinet also committed to the energy efficiency of buildings, such a number is insufficient. This is what the director of the Buildings for the Future (BPB) platform, Katarína Nikodemová, thinks.
The platform is thus responding to the call of the Ministry of Transport and Construction (MDV) of the Slovak Republic for applications for a subsidy of a maximum of 8,800 euros for the insulation of a family house older than 10 years. Interested parties can send calls from May 4 to June 30 or until the ministry receives 150 electronic applications.
The platform also points out that building renovation, which also includes insulation, could be part of Slovakia's green economic recovery after overcoming the corona crisis. "Such a form of support for building renovation is very necessary. However, we consider it very restrictive that the maximum number of registered applications is set at 150 for the whole of Slovakia. It is an incredibly small number," Nikodemová assessed. According to the platform, the subsidy program for insulation has another drawback, which is that it is unknown to residents. "According to our 2018 survey, only two percent of respondents were spontaneously aware of it. That is why one of the measures we propose is to allocate additional funds for a media campaign and promotion of the program itself," said BPB analyst Richard Paksi, adding that the ministry should also issue these calls for a longer period than less than two months.

The platform cites the neighboring Czech Republic as an example that Slovakia could draw inspiration from. The Czech program New Green for Savings is well-known and finances around 7,500 renovation projects annually.

As Nikodemová added, building renovation can also be considered an ecological measure. Buildings are currently responsible for around 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. "To achieve the climate goals in 2050, their proper renovation can significantly help us. According to the low-carbon study prepared for Slovakia by the World Bank, the greatest potential for energy savings is in the building sector," concluded Nikodemová.

source: https://www.teraz.sk/ekonomika/nikodemova-vyzva-na-zateplovanie-pre/464903-clanok.html, 7.5.2020