Houses in Europe, largely due to their age, can be notoriously hard to heat. This is a significant challenge for homeowners and the environment alike. Most houses were built during an era when knowledge about energy consumption was not as advanced as it is today. With energy costs increasing and energy security becoming a growing geopolitical concern, tech startups are innovating to address this issue.
The Need for Simple Energy Solutions
What’s needed is a simple way for consumers to engage with the problem of how much energy their home needs, how to manage that, and crucially, how to finance the changes required. This requires a comprehensive understanding of energy consumption and management, as well as accessible financing options.
Enter: A Climate Tech Company Making Waves
An example of this is Enter, a climate tech company based in Germany. Enter designs, manages, and finances home weatherization and electrification projects. In October 2022, they raised €19.4 million in Series A funding led by Target Global. The round also included investments from VC firms Coatue, Foundamental, A/O Proptech, and Partech.
How Enter Works
Homeowners complete a digital survey, which is then followed by an assessment of the energy status of their building. Enter’s system provides suggestions on how to reduce outgoings and takes care of the appropriate subsidy applications for renovations. This streamlined approach aims to make energy-efficient renovations more accessible and affordable for homeowners.
Justus Menten on Traditional Energy Assessments
According to Justus Menten, co-founder and managing director of Enter, traditional energy assessments are too slow: ‘Currently, around 200,000 properties are renovated in Germany every year. But to achieve our climate goals, it must be more than one million. Today’s certified energy efficiency consultants cannot achieve this goal in the traditional way.’
The Challenge Ahead
Menten emphasizes that training new advisors is already running at full speed, but it will take several years before sufficient capacities are available in Germany. Enter aims to bridge this gap with its innovative approach.
75% of Homeowners Worry About Affordability
Enter claims that 75% of homeowners are worried they can’t afford energy-efficient renovations. This concern is reflected in the company’s mission to make energy-efficient solutions more accessible and affordable for all.
A Unique Approach
Over a call, Max Schroeren, co-founder and managing director, explained how Enter achieves its high accuracy rates: ‘We end up with 250 data points and we only need about 10-15 to get a good picture of the house. We use this information to provide homeowners with tailored recommendations for energy-efficient solutions.’
Targeted Solutions
Enter’s system takes into account various factors, including insulation levels, window quality, and building orientation. By providing personalized advice, Enter aims to help homeowners make informed decisions about their energy consumption.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Enter is committed to working with experts in the field to develop effective solutions for reducing energy consumption. The company’s partnerships will play a crucial role in ensuring that its services are available to as many people as possible.
Conclusion
As Europe continues to grapple with the challenges of heating old houses, climate tech startups like Enter are innovating to address this issue. With their unique approach and commitment to making energy-efficient solutions more accessible, they offer hope for a more sustainable future.
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