Making sure your home is properly insulated can do more than save you money on your energy bills. It can contribute to a higher market value, especially if the improvements result in a better registered energy label.
One of the more noticeable trends in the housing market at the moment has been the rise in interest in properties with a higher energy label. It’s something that both estate agents and clients have pointed out to me a lot in recent months and I expect having a good energy label will once again be a hot topic as we move into autumn and winter.
Dutch housing market
Figures from the National Estate Agents Association NVM last year showed that well-insulated, low-energy homes were commanding higher prices than identical properties without a high-energy label and were more likely to be sold for more than the asking price. More than that, energy-efficient homes sell more quickly than those without much in the way of insulation, and buyers are more likely to bid over the asking price.
So it makes good sense to think about taking action to make your home as sustainable as possible, particularly if you are thinking of selling at some point, whatever the impact on your energy bill.
Maximum mortgage
In 2026, the amount you may be able to borrow extra for energy-saving measures depends on the home’s energy label: up to €20,000 for E/F/G labels, €15,000 for C/D, and €10,000 for A/B and A+/A++ homes, subject to income and property-value limits.
If your home falls under the National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG) scheme, the 2026 limit is €470,000, or €498,200 if energy-saving measures are included in the mortgage.
Some banks may also give a discount on the mortgage interest rate if your property has an A or a B energy label. And if the improvements you make mean your label hits A or B, you may be able to apply for an interest rate reduction as well. Again, this is something your mortgage advisor can help you with.
Grants to boost energy saving
You may also be eligible for government subsidies, depending on the work you are planning to do. Be aware, however, that you have to apply for government grants once you have done the work, so you do need to have access to enough funds to cover the bills to start with.
Of course, if you can’t face the thought of all the disruption installing extra wall insulation, a heat pump or double glazing will cause, you can always opt for a newly built property instead. New-build homes must meet strict BENG energy-performance requirements and usually have a high energy label, which can mean lower energy bills, although actual costs depend on usage, installations and energy prices.
