The Project

Objectives

The overall aim of RenoHUb project is to trigger an upscale of the energy retrofits of the Hungarian homes through the development of an integrated business model (RenoHUb) that is capable to substantially expand within and beyond the project lifecycle in an economically viable manner without involving additional public grant co-financing.

The purpose of RenoHUb structure that initially includes an on-line platform and two offices (“RenoHUb information hotspots”) is to promote energy efficiency refurbishment and building integrated renewables in the residential sector, both in single and multi-family buildings, with increasing leveraging of private funds, and where relevant, gradual phase-out of public grant finance.

Generally, the project targets all homeowners in Hungary. The residential sector in Hungary represents about one third of the total final energy consumption. Based on estimates by professionals, the overall energy saving potential of the residential building stock ranges between 40-50% of the current energy consumption level. However, according to recent nation-wide surveys, approximately 24% of the Hungarian household share considering to implement full or staged energy saving refurbishments in their homes within the next 3-5 years. The project will specifically focus of these homes in multi-apartment or single-family houses to facilitate to turn their plans into completed investments.

Overall methodology

The project delivers a RenoHUb system: a combination of the online platform and two physical offices called Information Hotspots combined with “Meet RenoHUb!” roadshow in 30 locations countrywide. RenoHUb ensures maximised coverage of homeowners as the three instruments reach out to different segments of the target audience.

Whilst the platform is anticipated to rather target the younger generation who routinely use IT-based applications, the information hotspots and roadshow locations will most likely be used by the older generations and people with less experience with internet and the use of internet-based applications.

The following phases determine the overall methodology

1 - Baseline research

It addresses personal decision-making mechanisms, focusing on the stimuli, attitudes, motivations, as well as perceived barriers regarding the values of energy refurbishment, the renovation process itself and external financing. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions with target groups will be carried out. It also includes, among others, assessments of Hungarian building stock for creating benchmarks, of existing financing schemes and of available and operating one-stop-shop models, all of which conducted for the purpose of gaining tools to simplify the customer journey. The baseline research will also include a comprehensive market study on the impact of the energy renovation homes on the real estate price.

2 - Developing the integrated service model

Results of the baseline research will be utilized to develop the RenoHUb structure. The design and the establishment of RenoHUb will be performed with the purpose to contain easy-to-use tools making the home renovation process easier for the homeowners, such as an Online Platform with a calculator and a toolkit of standardized documents and templates.

3 - Setting up of the Online Platform and Information Hotspots

The milestones of the project are the setting up of the Online Platform and the Information Points. Through these, the practical implementation of the integrated service model begins. It is essential to test the developed service model under operational conditions, to be able to fine-tune the model to customer needs. Therefore, pilot renovation projects will be carried out during project period. In order to reach RenoHUb's target audience and attract potential customers and contractors, we are also launching a comprehensive promotional campaign.

4 - Special focus on financing

As one of the major reasons for low energy refurbishment rates reported by homeowners is the high investment costs, a whole work package is dedicated to the investigation and improvement of financing schemes. The key project focus includes the promotion of trilateral cooperation between the homeowners, the existing local "Baussparkasse" (building saving society) institutions and commercial and development banks.