Arendsburght preserves with grant

In a residential neighborhood on the edge of Apeldoorn's forest stands the 60-year-old park apartment Arendsburght. "Originally it was a care flat, but for ten years it has been a regular flat for 55-plussers and with a VvE," says Dick van den Ende. Within the VvE board, he is the technical man. "In 2017, we received a letter from the Omgevingsdienst Veluwe-IJssel. With the message: make a plan of action for making the flat more sustainable."

The VvE board made a serious effort. "Also because the apartments were fairly uncomfortable; it was quite drafty. We had softwood window frames and aluminum sliding windows with thermopane that were at least 40 years old. There were no more parts available for the sash windows. And on the wooden window frames we had a lot of painting and wood repair."

Energetic advice 

The VvE board started looking into sustainability options. Through the National Heat Fund (formerly Energy Savings Fund), it turned out that the VvE could obtain a subsidy (SEEH scheme) as well as a loan. "Then we approached NVT Engineering. They carried out an exploratory study into energy renovation and then issued advice," says Van den Ende. Jaap van der Veen, sustainable development consultant at NVT Engineering, thus became involved in the project. "Based on our Maatwerk VvE Energieadvies, the VvE could apply for a loan from the National Heat Fund," he says. 

Sustainability scenario

The advice included four scenarios, rising from replacing window frames (scenario 1) to zero-to-the-meter: (scenario 4). "As a board, we quickly concluded that zero-to-the-meter was not realistic. The specter for us was Serviceflat Lindenhove: a failed zero-to-the-meter project in Apeldoorn, whose residents are still experiencing the aftermath." So the choice fell on replacing window frames in combination with insulating cavity walls. "You can only get a subsidy from the National Heat Fund if you take at least two measures," Dick explains.

Choosing frames

The board visited several window frame suppliers and requested quotes. "Gradually we realized that we needed professional guidance and advice in this process, including in evaluating quotations." NVT Engineering was asked to take the lead. Jaap van der Veen first helped the VvE board to come to a clear comparison of quotations. "We decided against aluminum window frames, because meeting the insulation requirements of the SEEH regulation was almost impossible with these," says Dick. "We decided to go for plastic window frames with triple glazing (HR +++). That was the most advantageous because the additional cost of triple glazing over double glazing was offset by the higher subsidy. We also opted for cavity insulation. That turned out to be quite easy to do with blow-in wool (supafil); there was no need to remove old insulation." 

Model apartment

"Thinking about how you're going to make it more sustainable is one thing, but thinking about how you're going to get the entire VvE on board is perhaps an even bigger task," Dick continues. "Because that requires calling a members' meeting, at which enough members - the quorum - must be present. Moreover, the decision must be made by 75% of the votes." 

Therefore, properly informing all residents of the 89 apartments was a must. "In consultation with Jaap, we decided to make one apartment, which is used by our permanent staff, more sustainable in advance. Residents could then come and see for themselves how the replacement of sash windows with tilt-and-turn windows with triple glazing and the replacement of doors would turn out." 

Jaap: "Furthermore, the residents were able to orient themselves to the screens that would replace the old blinds." Dick: "A neat job was done there with the cooperation of Aarnink Kozijnen Projecten. And that certainly contributed to the majority - over 90% - supporting the proposal at the May 25, 2020 membership meeting: plastic window frames based on VEKA profiles, cavity insulation plus the application for a loan." Aarnink produced the window frames based on the VEKA SOFTLINE 82 NL profile in the color 9001. Aarnink Kozijnen Projecten then delivered and assembled everything.

Implementation

The project started in August 2020 and was completed in February 2021. "We also hired a handyman at NVT. That helped residents, many of whom are older, clear work space for replacing the window frames. That involved moving and then putting back curtains, curtain rails and furniture, among other things. We had arranged storage for that as well." What did the project accomplish? "When I moved here five years ago, by winter I was getting a roll of tape to tape the seams against drafts. Now it's perfect: comfort has improved significantly and gas consumption has dropped by 20,000 cubic feet." 

Looking back

How do Jaap and Dick look back on the project? Jaap: "Very positively. I know that the lead time with a VvE is different than with homeowners or housing associations, who already have their plan ready, so to speak, and preferably want to start tomorrow. The VvE board managed to come up with a good proposal that proved acceptable to all residents."

Dick: "We are an active CoE and employ two administrators and a janitor. But this was a big project that required a lot of effort. The application procedures for subsidies and loans also played a role: there are so many conditions you have to meet. Jaap also helped us a lot with this. The efforts of NVT Engineering were necessary to cover the risks. When I think of all the things that could have gone wrong, it was worth the money. And we managed to keep the service costs virtually the same."