Most Dutch homes are more energy-efficient than official labels indicate
Many Dutch homes are more energy-efficient than official records suggest, according to a new report from Brainbay, the research division of real estate association NVM. While official registers show the average energy label for Dutch homes at C, NVM researchers say the true average is likely closer to B.
The discrepancy is largely due to outdated energy labels. Only about 16 percent of owner-occupied homes, roughly 700,000 properties, have a recent energy assessment conducted by a certified inspector. The remaining four million homes either have outdated labels or have never had one applied for, leaving no reliable data on their energy performance.
“For the remaining approximately 4 million Dutch owner-occupied homes, there is no current or reliable picture of energy performance,” said NVM researcher Rogier Weck.
To address this gap, NVM researchers developed a calculation model that estimates modern insulation values for homes without recent labels.
The main reason energy labels remain outdated is that they are usually requested during the sale of a home. After purchase, many owners renovate, adding double glazing or improved insulation, which would qualify the home for a higher energy label. However, owners often do not apply for an updated label due to the added cost and perceived limited benefits.
Energy-efficient mortgages, which offer lower interest rates to buyers of green homes, have emerged to encourage renovations. Still, the incentive to request a new label is often insufficient, NVM said.
Updated labels have a direct impact on property value. A home with an A-label now sells for an average of 17 percent more than a similar G-label property, roughly 74,000 euros extra. “Energy-efficient homes gain a significant market advantage,” said Lana Gerssen, chair of NVM-Wonen.
The study found that homes in newer neighborhoods, particularly in Flevoland cities such as Almere, Lelystad, and Zeewolde, benefit most from higher insulation values than previously recognized. Conversely, in municipalities in Groningen, Limburg, Zeeland, and wealthier areas like Gooise Meren and Bloemendaal—where larger, older detached homes are common—the average energy label remains at C.
