Energy retrofit for apartment buildings without equity

The problem: retrofitting costs money, doing nothing costs more

Apartment buildings in energy classes G and H are offered on average around 28 percent below comparable class A properties. Banks assess the energy performance with every financing, the CO2 levy on gas and oil rises every year, and the Building Energy Act requires 65 percent renewable energy for new heating systems. At the same time, tradespeople, materials and interest rates are as expensive as rarely before. Many owners are stuck: they cannot afford to retrofit, and waiting gets more expensive every year.

The solution: buy heat instead of owning a heating system

With heat contracting, a provider takes over the entire heat generation in the building. It converts the old boiler room, finances the technology and operates it over the contract term. The owner only buys the result: heat and hot water at a fixed price per kilowatt hour over 10 to 15 years. The provider bears the conversion costs, the owner's capital stays in the property.

What gets installed

• Heat pumps replace boiler and burner. The storage tank goes into the basement, the outdoor units stand next to the building or on the roof.
• Photovoltaics on the roof supply the electricity for operation where the building allows it.
• Learning controls with sensors and valves on the existing pipe network balance the risers hydraulically and lower the flow temperature. Up to 40 percent less energy consumption.

Work takes place in the boiler room, on the building and on the roof. No scaffolding on the facade, no access to the apartments, operation continues.

Result: up to five energy classes better

Because primary energy demand drops drastically with heat pumps, the energy class on the certificate improves by up to five levels depending on the starting point, for example from G to B. The property leaves the category of renovation case. The discount disappears on sale, the bank reassesses on financing, and tenants' heating costs become predictable.

Which buildings qualify

1. From 8 residential units. Apartment building, no upper limit. We assess several buildings of one owner together.
2. Central heating system. One system for the building. Individual gas boilers per flat do not qualify.
3. Energy class E or worse according to the certificate. For district heating we also look at better classes.
4. One owner for the whole building. Owners' associations do not qualify.
5. Heating costs run through the owner, who passes them on to tenants.

How it works

1. Submit the property. Address and key data, plus energy certificate and heating cost statements of the last three years. Takes two minutes.
2. Calculation. We check the key data and align the design with the provider. Feedback usually within 5 working days.
3. Offer and technical review. Written offer with a guaranteed price per kilowatt hour, site visit of boiler room, floor space and roof.
4. Contract. Heat supply contract between owner and provider, then scheduling of the installation.

What it costs

Assessment, site visit and offer are free of charge and without obligation for owners. The provider bears the conversion costs. You pay the agreed heat price per kilowatt hour, fixed over the term. Kola NetZero is paid by the provider; the heat supply contract is concluded directly between you and the provider.

Frequently asked questions