No construction lasts forever and at a moment in time, every building needs to be renovated and repaired. Maintenance can however be performed in many different ways as it can be either reactive or proactive. Renovating buildings to reach a higher energy performance - or in other words: to better use the energy that is needed for heating, cooling, ventilation etc. - can be very cost-effective in the long run and can contribute to decrease the waste of energy.
To use less non-renewable energy will have a positive impact on climate change, and it can also contribute to better energy security. It can also enhance the quality of life for people living and working in the buildings. Economically, investments in renovating buildings create new jobs and lower the long-term energy-costs for both households and real estate owners. An energy efficient renovation of a building is an ongoing process that has many challenges to overcome, both in terms of financial planning and technical development. It is an area of huge interest, involving architects, investors, contractors, energy specialists, environmental organizations and other stakeholders.