Natural gas-free living

One of the agreements in the 2019 Climate Agreement is that the Dutch government wants to reduce the use of natural gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is running out. Moreover, using natural gas releases CO2, which contributes to global warming.

That is why in the Netherlands we are looking for ways to live sustainably and without natural gas. Together with experts, energy companies, housing corporations and of course with their residents, all municipalities are looking at how best to do this. We describe these ways in the Transition Vision Heat. 

Do you want to get started already?

Then you can go to the WoonWijzerWinkel Limburg for independent advice. They will help you with both small and large insulation measures, such as sealing strips or a heat pump. They will also help you with questions about subsidies, requesting quotes and other financing. By insulating, you use less energy and save on your energy bill.

Grants for homeowners, business owners and associations

Do you own your own home or property? Or are you a private landlord? On the subsidies for making your home or building more sustainable page you will find various options for applying for subsidies.

Heat Transition Vision

In the Heat Transition Vision, the municipality describes what we are going to do in the coming years to achieve energy-efficient and natural gas-free living by 2050. It also describes how we will do this together with residents and other partners. 

This goes in steps. That is why there will be a new Transition Vision for Heat every five years. 

Heat Transition Vision 1.0

Transition Vision Heat 1.0 is the first version of the transition vision. In it we explain what is needed to take the next steps. For example, it sets out the options available in Kerkrade for getting off the gas. In Transition Vision 1.0, we do not yet choose exactly what we are going to do and where we are going to do it.

Transition Vision Heat 2.0

The municipality would like us in Kerkrade to use between 25% and 30% less gas in 2030 than in 2022. In the Transition Vision Heat 2.0, we will look at how we are going to do that. And we will choose which measures we will take to make our homes more energy-efficient and gas-free. And in which neighborhoods we will do this first.

At this moment the draft version of the Transition Vision 2.0 is ready. You can download it . 

Resident survey results natural gas-free living

In December 2022, we asked our residents to participate in thinking about how we can live in Kerkrade in 2050 in an energy-efficient manner and without natural gas. We did this through a questionnaire. As many as 3044 residents answered our questions. We used these answers to create the draft version of the Transition Vision Heat 2.0. 

Starting with homes with low energy labels and people with small grants

We asked where the municipality should work first on energy-efficient and natural gas-free housing. According to residents, the municipality should start working first in neighborhoods with homes with a low energy label, followed by neighborhoods with people who have difficulty making ends meet. Kerkrade is opting for the people with the least financial means.

Kerkrade is increasingly aware of sustainability

It also appears that a sustainability movement is already underway in our municipality. To take further steps, residents are mainly looking for clear information and want more participation in the plans that deal with energy-efficient and natural gas-free living. Over half of the people who completed the questionnaire want to make their homes more energy efficient. The main reason they gave for making their homes more energy efficient is to lower their energy bills. Homeowners also see this as an opportunity to increase the value of the home. Renters see this as an opportunity to increase home comfort.

The results will be used in the preparation of the Heat 2.0 Transition Vision, the insulation program and in subsequent neighborhood implementation plans.

For all the results, download the infographic.

District implementation plans

When the Transition Vision 2.0 is ready, we will start working with the neighborhoods that are first in line to become more energy efficient with "Neighborhood Implementation Plans. The following neighborhoods of Kerkrade have been designated as starter neighborhoods:

  • Hopel
  • Erenstein
  • Nulland
  • Bleijerheide
  • Rolduckerveld
  • Holz
  • Kerkrade-Centrum

We do not make the plans alone, but together with residents, the grid operator and housing associations. Of course, the alternatives to natural gas must be affordable. For homeowners and tenants, but also for building owners, grid operators, heat companies, municipalities and other parties. 

We study how much it costs to make the houses in the neighborhood energy efficient. After this study, we can say whether the neighborhood can actually become energy efficient and gas-free before 2050. We will also see if we can find an energy-efficient solution for all the houses together, such as a heat network. Or that all the houses get their own solution, like a heat pump. Or a little bit of both. 

Eventually there will be a plan for each neighborhood that states: 

  • how many people in the neighborhood want to live natural gas-free
  • what measures will be taken
  • What the costs are for energy-efficient and natural gas-free living and who will pay those costs
  • when what will happen
  • Whether we can do other work at the same time at the same time. Like renewing the sewers, for example.

Questions from residents about natural gas-free living

The MoVe2030 questionnaire also provided an opportunity to ask questions about sustainability at the same time. Many residents took advantage of this.
We have listed the most frequently asked questions and our answers to them .

The Heat Transition Vision in the Parkstad Sustainability Newspaper

In January 2021, together with the other Parkstad municipalities, we published and distributed the Parkstad Sustainability Newspaper. In the newspaper we discuss all relevant topics, such as the Regional Energy Strategy (RES), the Heat Transition Vision and the task we face with energy transition. In this Sustainability Newspaper, the municipality of Kerkrade takes you through its search for solutions for a future-proof, sustainable Kerkrade.

Interested? Then check out the Sustainability Newspaper on the Parkstad Limburg website

WoonWijzerWinkel

For all kinds of information and advice around natural gas-free living, visit the regional sustainability counter, the WoonWijzerWinkel Kerkade. View the website or visit. The WoonWijzerWinkel is located at Roda JC Ring 61 unit I in Kerkrade.