Renovating in Renens: A guide for homeowners

6 °C, Renens has a temperate but demanding climate for buildings. Heating needs are characterized by 2758 heating degree days per year, with about 48 frost days.5 °C.

The municipality is certified as an Energy City Gold and aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 through its communal Climate Plan. Property owners should consider this strategic vision, especially regarding water management, provided by the Lausanne City Water Service.

This water, classified as soft with a hardness of 14 °fH, requires regular maintenance of sanitary facilities to prevent limescale deposits on new equipment.

Energy renovation in Renens must align with the ambitious goals of the Climate Plan, which aims for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Prioritizing the building's thermal envelope is the most effective step to reduce final energy demand.

Insulation of roofs and facades, as well as window replacement, allow for meeting current energy efficiency standards.

These interventions must be considered globally, integrating renewable heat production systems. The shift to local renewable energy is encouraged, particularly to reach the goal of a 51% share of renewable energy in heat supply by 2035.

By simultaneously improving insulation and the heating system, you not only maximize indoor comfort but also sustainably increase the value of your property in a changing market.

Renens has efficient district heating infrastructure, which is essential for decarbonizing the building stock. Networks such as CadOuest and ECUCAD, the result of a collaboration between SIE and Romande Energie, allow owners to connect to systems using local wood, geothermal energy, or waste heat recovery.

These networks often integrate advanced technologies, such as the '3-pipe' network in the Malley area, optimizing energy recovery.

For buildings that cannot be connected, the installation of heat pumps (HP) is the preferred solution for replacing fossil fuel boilers. In accordance with Vaud regulations, these projects are subject to the simplified procedure.

Particular attention must be paid to noise pollution for air-to-water or air-to-air models to ensure respect for neighbors while benefiting from the energy efficiency of these technologies.

In Renens, as in the entire canton of Vaud, most energy renovation works benefit from the simplified procedure or an exemption from the building permit.

This particularly concerns the installation of photovoltaic panels and window replacement, thus simplifying administrative procedures for owners wishing to improve the performance of their property.

However, this simplification does not apply if the building is listed or located in a protected zone, or if the work significantly alters the exterior appearance or the building's dimensions.

In such cases, it is essential to contact the municipality or the prefect before starting the work to validate the project's feasibility. For heat pumps, although simplified, the procedure must always take into account acoustic constraints to ensure harmonious integration into the city's dense urban fabric.

The Buildings Program Vaud is the main leverage to subsidize work. Contributions are available for facade insulation, window replacement, solar thermal, and heat pump installation. Each subsidy is calculated according to precise criteria, such as power for heat pumps or insulated surface area.

For photovoltaics, in addition to the federal single remuneration via Pronovo, complementary aid may exist depending on local specificities.

Tax-wise, the owner has advantageous choices. For each tax period, you can opt for the deduction of actual costs or the flat-rate deduction. If investment costs for energy exceed your income, the balance can be carried forward to the following two tax periods. This measure greatly favors sustainable investments.

Be careful, however : if you receive a public subsidy, only the portion you actually finance is tax-deductible.

A successful renovation in Renens requires rigorous planning to coordinate the different trades and optimize costs. Before any commitment, evaluate the current state of your property and define energy priorities.

Collaboration with local companies is recommended, especially those specialized in renewable technologies compatible with the region's district heating networks like CadOuest.

When choosing providers, favor those who know the Vaud administrative requirements, especially for simplified procedures. Request detailed quotes that clearly distinguish between items eligible for subsidies (insulation, heat pumps, solar) and classic renovation work.

Do not forget to include in your schedule potential delays related to subsidy requests from the Buildings Program. Assistance from a professional can save you from costly mistakes and ensure the longevity of the chosen installations.