Step by Step Toward a More Energy Efficient Home: How André and Pieter Improved Their Energy Label from G to C

André and his partner Pieter have lived happily in their characteristic 1948 home in the village of Ottersum, in the south of the Netherlands, for nearly fifteen years. “It’s a lovely small village with about two thousand residents,” André says with a smile. “We live right in the centre, yet it feels very open and free. Pieter was born here and always knew he wanted to stay. I moved here for him, and I’ve never regretted it.”

They immediately fell in love with the house the moment they first viewed it. “It truly feels like home. The house isn’t large, but it’s perfect for the two of us. We love the charm of an older home. It has a really nice garden with a large vegetable patch, everything we wanted.” That charm did come with challenges. “The house was very draughty, and we had to use a lot of heating to stay comfortable. That meant rising energy costs.”

In 2024, André and Pieter decided to take concrete steps to reduce their energy consumption. “We had all the walls insulated and had the exterior brickwork repointed and treated,” André explains. “This prevents moisture from getting into the walls and creates a much more stable indoor climate.”

These measures not only reduced their energy costs and improved comfort but also helped extend the lifespan of the home. “It’s an old house, but you want it to last for many more years. These kinds of improvements help keep the house in good condition. That feels reassuring.”

The reason for future-proofing the house was mainly practical. “The west-facing wall, which gets the most exposure to wind and weather, was in poor shape. We thought: if we’re going to do this, let’s do it properly.” At the same time, they struggled with a common question. “You read and hear all sorts of things, but what is actually the right choice for your specific home?”

Because André and Pieter have their mortgage with Rabobank, they learned about Rabo Vooruit met je Huis. Through this service, they received independent energy advice and clear insight into which measures would have the greatest impact on their home. They were also able to claim back up to €500 in insulation costs. “All of this combined gave us clarity and peace of mind,” André says. “We knew we were making sensible choices either way.” The insulation budget, alongside the professional guidance, provided an extra incentive to make the house future-proof more quickly. “We were already saving for maintenance, but receiving a few hundred euros extra is simply a nice bonus.”

Although they were motivated, André admits they had some doubts at first. “You do wonder whether the time and effort you put into it will actually pay off,” he says. “But the whole process turned out to be much easier than expected.” After registering online, they quickly scheduled an appointment with an independent energy consulting firm. Within four weeks, they received a detailed energy report.

“We received many suggestions we would never have thought of ourselves. We work in completely different fields, so this isn’t our daily expertise. The advice helped us understand the options, the impact of different choices, and the best order to take the steps. That was very helpful.”

Based on the advice, they decided which measures to carry out first. “Those were exactly the recommendations listed at the top of the report.” They arranged the work themselves with a construction company. “That went smoothly as well. Through our network, we quickly found reliable contractors.” After the work was completed, the home’s energy label was reassessed. “Our house improved from energy label G to C. That’s a huge step.”

In the Netherlands, an energy label is mandatory when selling a home and can increase its value.

“For us, the biggest benefits are improved comfort, lower energy costs, and a smart long term investment. Financial support, like the insulation budget, was very welcome on top of that.”

What André and Pieter especially appreciated was how user friendly and clear the process was.

“In the Rabobank app, everything is in one place: your accounts, insurances, mortgage, and the ‘Vooruit met je Huis’ module. You can easily schedule an advice appointment, and the €500 insulation budget is paid directly into your account. Combined with possible government subsidies, it makes improving your home’s energy efficiency much more accessible.”

Petra Eussen, Lead Sustainability Mortgages at Rabobank, adds: “What I value most about Rabobank as a cooperative bank is that we can give something back to society. With Vooruit met je Huis, we see homeowners regain a sense of control. Our advisers sit at the kitchen table with our customers and help them understand where to start and which steps are realistic. By supporting our mortgage customers with advice, clarity and overview, we contribute to future proof homes. That makes me proud of my work and of our bank. Since the introduction of Vooruit met je Huis, more than 130,000 customers have already received independent energy advice.”

For homeowners who are hesitant to begin, André has a clear message: “It may seem complicated, but with good guidance and reliable advice, decisions quickly become manageable. You don’t have to do everything at once. It’s still an investment you need to plan for, but Rabobank’s financial support can give you that extra push to take the first step.”

Would you like energy advice, an insulation budget and an updated energy label, just like André and Pieter? Explore Rabo Vooruit met je Huis and take steps toward a more comfortable and energy efficient home.

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This article was made in collaboration with RTL.