Casa Verde is the type of program for which interest is greater than the state’s offer. Despite the reluctance of Romanians towards green buildings, the amounts allocated to the program are exhausted, according to history, shortly after the official launch. Many of those who manage to obtain state funding start researching and gathering the necessary documents even before the exact requirements are announced. Currently, the Casa Verde 2016 program is just at the beginning, but it shows promise not only for beneficiaries but also for the entire real estate market, as well as for the economy.
Casa Verde 2016 is designed for the next generation of buildings. Unlike the previous program, this one is adapted to the developments that have taken place in the green construction market, which is why reimbursements also include less known and used materials, such as hemp or wool insulation or basalt stone. The most frequently used green installations are still covered, even for those who want to make their home efficient at a minimal level.
“The program is intended for anyone, from homeowners to tenant associations, schools, hospitals, public institutions, etc. Funding can be obtained for changing light bulbs and that’s it, as well as for larger projects, such as modernizing roofs or installing consumption efficiency systems,” explains Marius Anastase, builder, for IMOPEDIA.ro.
A green home can reduce bills to zero, depending on the systems chosen
In fact, lower consumption is the primary reason why Romanians consider building or modernizing their home to be energy efficient. Bills reduced to almost zero, depending on the systems used, are attractive to anyone. Until now, initial costs have been the problem, but the Casa Verde program can solve this aspect for at least some of those truly interested.
“The initial price scares people. Not necessarily that it would be something colossal. In fact, depending on the solutions chosen, the price can be only 15% higher. But a house is an investment that many make at the limit of their budget, and 15% really matters. Not even the idea that the investment pays off in a few years, and in another few years, the owner enters into profit, helps,” explains Madalina Marcu, construction materials sales specialist, for IMOPEDIA.ro.
For the year 2016, the total budget allocated to the Casa Verde program is 150 million lei.
For this year, the estimated budgets are 95 million lei for replacing heating systems, and the total budget is 150 million lei, approximately 30 million euros. A special case is represented by those who submitted files for the previous edition of the program, but for whom the funds did not reach. For them, the state has allocated a special budget estimated at 44 million lei. All these aspects will lead to a boom in the green construction market.
“In addition to the real environmental benefits that this program will offer, it will have a series of other very important benefits. We were talking about reducing bills, but also about a great advantage in business development. This entire market is still in a pioneering phase and I would like, through the measures we are taking, to stimulate the growth of businesses in this area. Boosting the consumption of ecological construction materials will create a competitive market in this sector and I hope it will also lead to the creation of new jobs,” explained Cristiana Pasca Palmer, Minister of Environment.
The first edition of the Casa Verde project was in 2008 and had a massive success. In the first month alone, over 23 thousand files were submitted. The program was subsequently suspended due to lack of funds, then unblocked mainly for the files that already existed in the state’s records.
Source: Imopedia/Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Casa Verde 2016 program?
The program is available to a wide range of applicants, including individual homeowners, tenant associations, schools, hospitals, and public institutions.
What costs are covered by the state funding?
The program covers heating system replacements and the use of ecological insulation materials like hemp, wool, or basalt stone, as well as broader efficiency projects.
How much funding was allocated for the 2016 session?
A total budget of 150 million lei (approximately 30 million euros) was allocated, with specific amounts set aside for heating systems and previous applicants.