Four ways spending money pays off

Spending a lot of money isn't always a bad thing. When invested correctly, an initially expensive purchase can prove to be a worthwhile investment. Especially when you're considering buying an older home, certain investments in your new home can really pay off in the long run. We'll show you how spending money can pay off for you as a future homeowner.

19.05.20228min8min

A smiling married couple is happy about the money saved after energy renovation.

Once you become a new homeowner, it's inevitable to regularly invest in your own four walls. However, you should not just limit yourself to maintaining the status quo of your property. Beyond mere "value-preserving investments," there are many ways to put your money to work so that it pays off for you in the long term. At this point, the concept of energy rehabilitation comes to the forefront. It offers attractive opportunities not only to increase the value of your property but also to achieve sustainable financial benefits for you. Here, you'll learn why:

  1. Worthwhile energy-related renovations future-proof a property and reduce the energy costs. This normally leads to an increase in value – and a considerable one at that! If a photovoltaic system is installed that feeds electricity into the grid, then the effect is even greater.

  2. You’ll save on energy costs and become more energy efficient in future years. As a rule, you can expect a 30% percent reduction in your energy costs if you completely overhaul an old building’s energy system, for example. A photovoltaic system can cut your electricity bill by up to 50%.

  3. Subsidies or grants are likely to be available for such measures. The support provided is mostly regulated at a cantonal level. However, municipalities and, in some cases, private energy suppliers also offer financial support for energy-related renovations. Then there’s the federal and cantonal buildings programme, which funds measures that help to reduce CO₂ or boost energy efficiency. Learn here how you need to proceed with applying for grants.

  4. Since 2020, tax incentives have been available for energy-related renovations, at least for the federal taxes. Some cantons have also adopted these provisions. The investments can be deducted from your taxable income and – specifically in the case of energy-related renovations – spread over a maximum of three tax periods.

Key measures of an energetic rehabilitation at a glance

  • Thermal insulation and insulated windows greatly reduce heat loss; roof insulation is particularly efficient. Added benefits include an improved room climate and sound insulation. Extensive insulation including appropriate windows can cut energy costs by up to 40%.

  • Heating: Modern heating systems combined with renewable energies can help you to greatly reduce CO₂ emissions and energy costs. Countless different heating systems are available these days, so the savings potential varies accordingly. It can total up to 30% though. Another nice side effect is that newer systems are easier and cheaper to operate.

  • Solar panels: These can be used to generate both electricity and heat. Expect your electricity bill to be as much as 50% lower with such a system, hence it usually pays for itself after just a few years.

Of course, you have to invest money for the corresponding renovations. However, with good preparation and planning, you can significantly reduce the costs. When the respective investments will pay off depends entirely on the specific measure and its effects. It can be assumed that expenses are amortized on average after 15 years – sometimes much earlier, sometimes later.
It's also important: Rarely do you tackle all measures at the same time. After all, the existing systems are usually in different states and still energetically fine. Or they depend on each other. With careful renovation planning, not only can the measures be sensibly coordinated (basic rule: from outside to inside), but the financing can also be better planned.

Tip: Many energy renovation measures are financially supported by the state. Before starting construction, inform yourself about the various subsidy options. You can find more on the topic of energy funding programs in Switzerland here.

Conclusion

Energy renovations represent an investment in the future and always generate added value for homeowners - be it through the increase in property value, long-term savings on energy costs and taxes, or through improved environmental karma. In short, spending money on energy renovations may seem like an expensive affair - but certainly one that pays off in the long run!