A new year brings a lot of changes. Below is an overview in terms of building and remodeling.
1) New construction homes
Stricter S-level, stricter requirements to qualify for property tax rebate and restriction on connection to natural gas and fuel oil, EPB requirements for new construction: single permit as of 2022
The mandatory E-level in houses and apartments remains at a maximum of E30, but the mandatory S-level drops from S31 to S28. However, an intermediate solution is provided. In newly constructed residential buildings whose S-level is S29, S30 or S31, the S-level will also be met if the E-level does not exceed:
- E25 if the notification is made or the environmental permit for urban development actions is applied for from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022;
- E20 if the notification is made or the environmental permit for urban development actions is applied for from Jan. 1, 2023.
Property tax rebate for new construction: (see also https://www.energiesparen.be/korting-op-onroerende-voorheffing-voor-nieuwbouwwoningen-met-verlaagd-e-peil)
- 2021 environmental permit application: 5-year 50% discount for achieving E30 / 5-year 100% discount for achieving E20
- Environmental permit application 2022: 5-year 50% discount for achieving E20 / 5-year 100% discount for E10
- application for planning permission from 2023: only applicable for rebuilding or partial rebuilding: 5-year 50% discount for achieving E20 / 5-year 100% discount for E10.
In new construction or buildings undergoing major energy renovation (residential and non-residential buildings), with application for an environmental permit from Jan. 1, 2022, fuel oil boilers may no longer be installed, even if no connection to the natural gas grid is possible.
Since 2021, a natural gas distribution system operator may no longer provide a natural gas connection in large projects, such as new large subdivisions, new large apartment buildings and new large group housing projects, for which the environmental permit for urban development actions was applied for from Jan. 1, 2021. These were large projects of 25 (residential) units or more. For environmental permit applications from Jan. 1, 2022, natural gas connections may no longer be provided as early as 15 (residential) units.
2) Housing renovation, changes from mid-2022 onward
The energy premiums for energy-saving investments given by the Flemish government through the grid operator Fluvius will continue next year. The premium level and conditions will be maintained for roof, wall and floor insulation, insulating glazing, solar water heater, heat pump and heat pump boiler. The planned decrease in the premium for solar panels will not take place and the premium will remain at the 2021 level. Learn more: https://energiesparen.be/maatregelen-waarvoor-er-energiepremies-zijn-in-2022
| basic insulation grants in existing homes | ||
| roof or attic floor insulation | 4 euros per m² | Rd-value at least 4.5 m²K/W |
| roof or attic floor insulation + asbestos removal | 12 euros per m² | |
| exterior wall post-insulation | 30 euros per m² | Rd-value at least 3 m²K/W |
| post-insulation outer walls via exterior + asbestos removal | 38 euros per m² | |
| post-insulation cavity wall | 5 euros per m² | Cavity at least 5 cm, construction in accordance with STS 71-1 |
| post-insulation of exterior walls from the inside | 15 euros per m² | Rd-value at least 2 m²K/W |
| post-insulation floor or basement | 6 euros per m² | Rd-value at least 2 m²K/W |
| high-efficiency glazing | 16 euros per m² | U-value of up to 1.0 W/m²K |
| basic grants for energy efficient techniques | |
| heat pump | geothermal heat pump: 4000 euros |
| air-water heat pump: 1500 euros | |
| hybrid air-water heat pump: 800 euros | |
| air-to-air heat pump: 300 euros | |
| heat pump boiler | per housing unit and up to 40% of the bill: 300 euros |
| solar water heater | per residential unit up to 2750 euros and up to 40% of the bill: 550 euros/m² collector area |
| photovoltaic solar panels | maximum 1500 euros and maximum 40% of the invoice: first 4 kWp: 300 euros per kWp, 4 to 6 kWp: 150 euros per kWp |
Higher premiums apply for specific target groups, such as protected customers or customers with only night-time tariffs.
The income-related renovation premium of the Wonen-Vlaanderen agency continues through 2022.
The energy premiums of Fluvius (except solar panels) and the renovation premium of the agency Wonen-Vlaanderen will be integrated in the second half of 2022 into the new 'Mijn VerbouwPremie' (more info: mijnverbouwpremie.be).
3) Ban on replacement fuel oil boiler if natural gas is available
As of Jan. 1, 2022, in existing buildings (residential and non-residential), it is no longer permissible to install a fuel oil boiler if a connection to the natural gas grid is possible in the street. So rather consider an alternative. However, minor repairs to existing appliances remain possible.
More info: https://www.energiesparen.be/duurzaam-verwarmen/verbod-stookolieketels.
4) Decrease in home battery premium from Jan. 1, 2022, introduction of environmental contribution
For all premium applications from January 1, 2022, the premium for the installation of a home battery decreases. For complete application files submitted by December 31, 2021, the premium will be a maximum of 2550 euros. From 2022, that premium will drop to a maximum of 1725 euros.
In 2022, the premium is 225 euros per kilowatt hour for the first 4 kWh, 187.5 euros per kWh for 4 to 6 kWh and 150 euros per kWh for 6 to 9 kWh actual capacity of the battery system. The premium can be up to 1725 euros and up to 40% of the invoice, including VAT. The Flemish Government has also already set a timetable for the phasing out of the premium.
More info: https://www.energiesparen.be/thuisbatterij.
From Jan. 1, 2022, an environmental contribution for home batteries will be introduced to ensure environmental care at the end of the home battery's life. Producers, importers and installers who import home batteries linked to a decentralized energy production installation for electricity and who are affiliated with Bebat will pay an environmental contribution when they sell or rent the batteries on the Belgian market from Jan. 1, 2022. Bebat will then take care of the full take-back obligation for the batteries.
The contribution applies only to home batteries placed on the market after Jan. 1, 2022, and amounts to 2.39 euros per kilogram for lithium-ion-based home batteries and 1.27 euros per kilogram for saline-based home batteries.
5) Only recent EPC allowed when selling homes
When selling a house or apartment (with a notarized deed), you may only use an EPC made as of 2019. You can recognize that EPC by the EPC label from A+ to F that appears on the EPC. Previously, the EPC was allowed to be up to 10 years old (for sale). For rentals, you may continue to use the existing EPC (up to ten years old).
6) Extension of EPC obligation for common parts.
On Jan. 1, 2022, all large apartment buildings with at least 15 building units must have an EPC for the common parts.
On Jan. 1, 2023, all medium-sized apartment buildings (5 to 14 building units) must also have an EPC for the common parts.
On Jan. 1, 2024, it will also be mandatory for smaller apartment buildings (2 residential units up to 4 building units).
Building units are both residential units (apartments) and small non-residential units (stores, offices, hairdressers, medical practices, childcare facilities, pharmacies, hospitality, B&B ...) present in the apartment building.
More info: https://www.energiesparen.be/epc-van-de-gemeenschappelijke-delen.
7) Renovation requirement for non-residential buildings.
As of Jan. 1, 2022, the renovation requirement for all non-residential buildings begins.
Each nonresidential building unit will have to comply with the following four energy-saving measures within five years from the date of the execution of the authentic deed in the case of a notarized transfer of full ownership, in the case of the establishment of a right of superficies or in the case of the establishment of a long lease:
- If the minimum R-value of 0.75 m²K/W is not achieved for roof insulation, roof insulation with maximum U-value of 0.24 W/m²K must be installed.
- If single glass is present, it should be replaced with glazing with maximum U-value of 1 W/m²K.
- All central generators for space heating that are older than 15 years must be replaced unless you can demonstrate that the system meets the minimum installation requirements for renovation. In addition, if a natural gas grid is available in the street, a fuel oil boiler older than 15 years may not be replaced with a new fuel oil boiler.
- You must replace all refrigeration systems older than 15 years that use ozone-depleting refrigerants or refrigerants with a GWP value* of at least 2,500 with refrigeration systems that do not use those harmful refrigerants. (*global warming potential)
In addition to these four measures, non-residential buildings must also achieve a well-defined energy label within five years of transfer.
- For transfers beginning Jan. 1, 2022, a small nonresidential building must achieve energy label C or better within five years of transfer, in addition to meeting the minimum measures package.
- For transfers beginning Jan. 1, 2023, a large non-residential building must have a minimum renewable energy share of 5% within five years of transfer, in addition to meeting the minimum measures package Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, that minimum renewable energy share will be translated into a minimum energy label.
New building owners, building owners and leaseholders will be able to demonstrate compliance with the non-residential building renovation requirement through an EPC.
More info: https://www.energiesparen.be/NR/renovatieverplichting.
8) Discontinuation of micro CHP premium
The premium for micro-CHP, also known as fuel cell, smaller than 10 kW will be eliminated from 2022 if a fossil fuel is used.
More info: https://www.energiesparen.be/premie-aanvraag-micro-wkk-kleiner-dan-10-kw-eigenaar.
9) Larger discount on registration fees single owner-occupied house in case of major energy renovation
When purchasing the only owner-occupied home, the registration tax rate for natural persons will be reduced from 6% to 3%. That new rate will apply to all purchase agreements whose authentic deed is recorded as of Jan. 1, 2022 (even if the sales agreement is still signed in 2021).
An additional reduced rate applies to individuals who carry out a major energy renovation (IPR) or partial reconstruction. They will pay only 1% registration tax instead of 3% from 2022 (compared to 1% discount until the end of 2021 (5% instead of 6%).
The EPB requirements for a major energy renovation will also become somewhat stricter starting in 2022. For environmental permit applications starting in 2022, you must achieve an E-level of no more than E60 (instead of E70).
10) Temporary premium for the removal and replacement of an asbestos-containing roof and installation of solar panels on non-heated non-residential buildings
Fluvius provides a temporary premium of 12 euros per m² of roof area whose asbestos is removed in 2022 for non-heated non-residential buildings, provided a new PV installation is installed on the same site.
All asbestos-containing materials in the subroof or roofing must be removed and the entire asbestos-containing roof section renewed. The new PV system must be placed on the remediated roof or on the roof of another building on the same site. The area of the newly installed photovoltaic solar panels must be at least 10% in proportion to the remediated roof area.
The premium applies only to non-heated non-residential buildings, such as sheds and barns. No insulation requirements apply.
Final approval of this premium is expected during January 2022. Further information can be found at www.fluvius.be.
Source: VEKA
