Challenge in times of crisis: Help, I'm renovating my house
Created: 12/31/2022, 5:00 p.m
By: Andreas Daschner
Almost done: Andreas Daschner in front of his freshly renovated house.
The scaffolding is still standing, inside it is already comfortably warm.
It all took a good three quarters of a year.
© ad
Climate crisis, energy crisis - all crisis.
In these difficult times, many will think about renovating their house energetically.
Tagblatt employee Andreas Daschner did it and reports on his experiences here.
Grafrath
– It wasn't the current horror prices for gas and electricity that made me subject my house to a complete makeover.
Rather, it was a combination of climate change and such an unexpected financial opportunity.
My house was only completed in 2001.
However, still with double-glazed windows, without facade insulation and above all: with gas heating.
Despite the relatively young age, there was something to do: new insulation, triple-glazed windows, a heat pump instead of a gas burner, ventilation, a photovoltaic system with battery storage.
Where should I start?
Phew, the measures are like a mountain in front of you.
So where to start?
There is an association in the district that is familiar with energy issues.
A call to Ziel 21 and I was already in contact with people who would draw up a roadmap for the planned renovations.
Timetable is not a metaphor, but actually the name for the planning: it's called a renovation timetable - and it has one major advantage: Anyone who has one drawn up receives five percent more government funding - for heating, for example.
The plan is drawn up by an energy consultant.
With quite a lot of paper in hand, the next step follows: looking for a craftsman.
I opted for local companies, which later turned out to be a wise decision.
The owners know each other and can coordinate work with each other.
That takes a lot off you.
Then it was time to get offers and have the energy consultant submit the BAFA subsidy application.
Looking back, how lucky it was that I was able to start the renovation in 2021.
The delivery difficulties with many materials were not yet felt too much.
lucky.
life on a construction site
What then began in April of this year became a challenge – especially a nervous one: living on a construction site.
The refurbishment was done while I continued to live in our apartment with my wife.
It started with the roof.
Hours of hammering get on your nerves, the construction crane swaying alarmingly in the wind creates uncertainty.
Well, the carpenters are not using the device for the first time and already know what they are doing.
I courageously climb up the shaky but of course well-fixed scaffolding on my house and check the construction progress from time to time.
And after a few weeks the time has come: the roof is newly insulated and covered.
When you visit the warehouse, you also notice it clearly: Whereas before there was more of a sauna feeling when the sun was beating down on the house, it can now be endured with pleasant temperatures.
A lot of dust followed when the windows were changed and the core drilling for the ventilation, further days of noise when the facade insulation was installed - and a proverbial tremor with the heat pump.
Because the delivery problems with the material struck now after all.
According to the manufacturer, the heat pump comes at the beginning of the heating season.
The problem: According to the manufacturer, the heating period begins in December.
Waiting for the heat pump
Since I had to cut my gas connection at the end of August for certain circumstances, and there were a few cold days at the end of September, the aforementioned tremors followed.
And the fear: How is that supposed to be in October and November?
But then came the relief: the heat pump was delivered shortly afterwards.
Breathe.
also read
Already inhabited: the roof of the new building has to be demolished - the client has disregarded several rules
READ
Water birth in the "paddling pool": Baby Jakob was born in his own living room
READ
Young bull runs through Germering for two days – fire brigade and police despair
READ
Small cinemas have it harder: Groebenlichtspiele fight for survival
READ
Vaccination center closes - farewell after eventful Corona years: "I would do it again"
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My space
At the time this text is being written, it is mid-December - and most of the work has largely been completed: the facade has been insulated and only needs to be painted.
The heat pump ensures comfortable temperatures, the windows are tight.
The photovoltaic system will follow in the new year – the craftsman had no free appointments before that.
The energy consultant has already called up the first grants, but the payment currently takes a good three months.
So wait.
And of course - as is usual during construction - there are still points during the work that drive up the prices a little.
But in the end I don't regret having tackled the not-so-cheap project.
Good for your wallet – and good for the climate.
