Pensioner project
The Danish Energy Authority gave grants to pensioners
for energy saving renovations in their private
houses, a program which existed for several years.
The grant was 50 %, maximum 25,000 DKK (3,247
EUR) and the investments had to be 25,000 DKK
(3,247 EUR) or more. The Danish Government has a
general interest in energy reductions. These investments
also saved public funds allocated to subsidize
pensioners’ heating costs. In addition, the investments
improved the comfort of the houses.
Prior to the campaign launch in 1999, the grants
were allocated to app. 10 households annually. In
the four years from the launch, 192 households
made use of the grant - app. 48 households a year.
The campaign was initiated with a letter sent by
the municipality to all 444 pensioner housholds on
Samsø. This letter described the available grants for
investments in energy saving installations and explained
where information about renewable energy
installations in private homes could be found. A visit
by an energy adviser was free and many pensioners
applied for visits. The first year 63 households were
awarded a home improvement grant.
The campaign went on for three more years and
ended in 2002 when state funding ended. During
the last three years of the campaign, 129 families
were awarded a grant. Altogether, improvements
were made to 192 houses on the island and local
craftsmen increased their revenue by more than 8
million DKK (1.1 million EUR).