"I didn't have to pay anything myself for the entire investment of €3833."

11-06-2025, 14:03

Her husband was a pioneer. He installed solar panels on the roof himself 20 years ago. After his death, Hanneke van der Wijk took over. ,,After I called the municipality, everything was arranged for me. Great.''

What was the trigger?

''We have to get rid of gas. That message from the government always kept me busy. But yes, what to do? I had no knowledge about this. My husband used to arrange such things. Until last year I received the leaflet from the municipality about their insulation campaign. I then called the municipality and said I was interested. Energy explorer Lisanne Runhart helped me fantastically after that.''

What was your desire?

''The house had simple wall insulation in the 1980s. Later we installed glass insulation ourselves and insulated the roof. We used the energy explorer to see what the options were. We decided to insulate the floor and redid the walls. I insulated my home nature-friendly. Only after the bats could fly out safely did the work start. My house is now completely "bat-proof!''

I am not a big consumer, but still think I will use less gas and electricity. I don't want to be in the cold, but when the sun shines, I don't have to heat as much in the living room. I also have a heat blanket from Stoov for my chair, which is also very nice. I never have the heater on upstairs, by the way. I don't think that's necessary.

Is the house ready now?

''For now, yes. I still cook on gas. I will continue to do that for the time being. The yield from the solar panels is not very high and with the abolition of the balancing scheme, that investment is not attractive. When the central heating boiler has to be replaced I will consider buying a hybrid heat pump.''

Was it a difficult journey?

,,I am quite critical by nature, but in this process everything was so well organized. All I had to do was give my approval. What was also very nice was that Lisanne pointed out to me the possibility of a municipal subsidy as well as a provincial subsidy. That made a nice difference. Even better: I didn't have to pay anything myself for the entire investment of € 3833.

I chose to work with one company so that I could have several energy measures done at once. That did mean that I first had to advance the amount myself. Fortunately, I was able to pay that. But that's not always necessary. An energy explorer can explain it to you exactly!''