The government on Thursday adopted a decision on launching a programme to improve the energy efficiency of family houses for the 2014-2020 period, with a detailed plan for the period from 2014 to 2016.
Construction and Physical Planning Minister Anka Mrak Taritas said the programme envisaged the upgrading of 2,000 houses annually to make them comply with energy saving standards.
The programme will focus on houses built before 1987 when Croatia adopted the first regulation on the energy properties of buildings.
The programme envisages improvement of heating systems and replacement of energy products, notably electricity and heating oil, with more economical energy products, notably renewables.
The programme will be financed with money from the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund and EU funds, as well as by citizens through housing savings banks and loans. Local and regional self-government units are also expected to provide funding.
The programme is expected to encourage investments in the amount of 207.5 million kuna annually, with a share of government subsidies of 4%.
Citizens' energy bills are expected to go down by 24 million kuna annually and the emissions of carbon dioxide are expected to decrease by 14,500 tonnes annually.
The programme is expected to provide employment for 700 people annually and increase the market value of real estate as well as contribute to the development of the manufacturing industry, notably the industry of heat insulation material and the wood industry.
(Hina) rml
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