The Finnish government is considering how the popular domestic help credit could be used in order to improve the efficient use of energy in homes.
According to the information gathered by Helsingin Sanomat, the government has been contemplating whether or not the domestic help credit granted by the Finnish Tax Administration could be applied to some other renovation expenses as well. For example the domestic help credit could also cover renovation materials, provided that the new solutions would improve energy efficiency.
At present the domestic help credit covers those services which households buy from various entrepreneurs, including cleaning and renovation services. The deduction is based on the amount of work that has been done.
On Thursday, the government held a preparatory meeting linked with next week’s budget talks. The focus of the meeting was on the government’s energy and climate strategy.
At the top of the agenda was the largest amendment that the govenment intends to make to the 2009 budget proposal compiled by the Ministry of Finance.
Some tens of millions of euros are about to be allocated to the improvement of energy efficiency and the promotion of the use of renewable energy. The reform would be beneficial to both households and enterprises.
The heating of buildings causes some 30 % of all greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for some 40 % of the overall energy consumption.
If a total of 100,000 detached houses transferred from oil heating to geothermal energy or pellets, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by one million tons.
For some time, households have already been able to apply for energy allowances in order to adopt environment-friendly heating systems as well as to improve energy efficiency in the home.
This year’s budget for households’ energy allowances is EUR 14 million.
The sum has not been sufficient for the purpose, and according to information received by Helsingin Sanomat, the government plans to double the figure in next year’s budget.
