How a Family in Pärnumaa Reduced Their Home’s Energy Use with Coop Pank’s Home renovation loan

“The heating bills were far too high and the rooms cooled down very quickly,” Rauno recalls. “It felt like all the heat was just escaping from the house.” The electric radiators were running constantly, yet the rooms still felt chilly.

Merle and Rauno decided it was time to act. They put together a plan with three major steps: new triple-glazed windows, a smart and efficient air-to-air heat pump, and solar panels on the roof. In total, the work cost around 20,000 euros, which they financed with Coop Pank’s Home renovation loan.

Step by step towards better energy efficiency

“We wanted to do everything properly and all at once,” says Merle. “If you’re renovating, do it in a way that the results will last at least the next twenty years.”

1. Windows

The first stage was replacing the windows. The old double-glazed units, which had been in place for 30 years, no longer provided sufficient thermal or sound insulation. They decided to install triple-glazed PVC windows, which offer significantly better heat retention.

“You could feel the difference that same evening,” says Rauno. “There was no more draught from around the frames, and the air in the room felt completely different. We also no longer get condensation on the windows.”

2. Heating system upgrade

Next, they tackled the heating problem. The electric radiators were replaced with an air-to-air heat pump, which heats the home evenly and keeps costs under control. The indoor unit of the heat pump was installed on the living room wall, and a single indoor unit is enough to heat the entire house.

“The hardest part was deciding which model to choose,” says Rauno. “We asked for several quotes and eventually found a unit that matched the size of our home and had as high a COP value as possible. It’s definitely worth choosing a slightly more powerful model so you don’t run out of capacity on very cold winter nights.”

The family can now control the temperature via a mobile app. “It’s a very convenient solution. If we’re away from home for longer, we can lower the temperature, and then turn it back up before we return,” explains Merle.

3. Solar panels

The final step was adding solar panels to the roof. Twelve panels now produce a significant share of the household’s electricity. The system is connected to the grid, so any excess electricity can be sold back to the energy provider.

“In summer, the panels cover almost all of our electricity consumption, and even in spring and autumn the bills are noticeably lower,” Rauno explains.

The home renovation loan made it possible to do everything at once

For the family, it was important to complete the work as a single project rather than stretching it out over many years. “The Home renovation loan gave us security and flexibility,” says Rauno. “If we had had to do everything gradually, the old system would have been troubling us for several more winters.”

Applying for the loan was simple. “We submitted the application on Coop Pank’s website and received an answer within a few days,” Merle recalls. “Everything was done conveniently online and we didn’t have to go anywhere in person.”

The result: lower costs and a better indoor climate

As a result of the upgrades, the family’s electricity bills have fallen by around 30–35%. The house now has a stable indoor temperature in winter, and in summer the air-to-air heat pump also helps to cool the rooms. The solar panels produce about 4,500 kWh of electricity a year, covering a large part of the family’s needs.

“Previously it felt like we were just heating the outdoor air,” says Rauno. “Now our home is warm, our wallet is happier, and we know we’re using energy much more wisely.”

Coop Pank’s Home renovation loan is a simple way to make your home more energy-efficient, whether you are replacing windows, upgrading your heating system or installing solar panels. You can apply for the loan online and receive a decision on your application in just a few moments.