Utrecht residents who own a poorly insulated home will soon pay a flat €50 for a professional, in-home energy consultation, down from the several hundred euros such advice currently costs upfront. The gemeente announced the change on Monday, saying the city's executive board (college van burgemeester en wethouders) has decided the new rate takes effect on 1 October.

Small private landlords qualify for the same €50 rate. Households that need extra support, including U-pas holders, will get the consultation for free.

Alderman for Energy Julia Kleinrensink said the move follows through on a commitment in the city's coalition agreement to help more residents make their homes more sustainable. "That brings climate gains and a lower energy bill," she said in the announcement. "With this scheme we're immediately putting that into practice. We think it's important that advice is low-threshold, so people take the step more easily." The city is targeting homes that are poorly insulated specifically, she added, because that is "where the gains are greatest."

Removing an administrative hurdle

The gemeente says it noticed that its existing subsidy arrangement for energy advice was needlessly complicated: residents had to pay the full cost of a consultation themselves first, then apply afterward for a subsidy to get part of it back. According to Utrecht's regional Energieloket, an independent consultation currently costs between €335 and €375, with the city reimbursing up to €300 of that if the homeowner goes on to carry out a recommended measure.

Under the new approach, that upfront cost and the separate reimbursement claim disappear. Residents pay only the one-time, low fee, and the municipality covers the rest directly. The gemeente says it hopes to reach at least 2,000 homeowners through the new scheme, noting that a consultation is often a first step toward homeowners actually carrying out insulation or other sustainability measures.

What the consultation covers

The process starts with a home visit from one of the independent energy advisors under contract with the city. The advisor assesses the specific features of the house and the household, and discusses what the resident wants and what is feasible. The homeowner then receives a written report recommending sustainability measures suited to the property, along with expected costs, potential savings and available financing options. The report also flags possible next steps, such as joining a collective purchasing scheme for insulation or other work.

The new pricing takes effect on 1 October 2026. More information is available through Utrecht's Energieloket, the municipality's energy information point for residents.