Partnerships with DIY stores/retailers are of great importance for promotion of energy efficient products and nZEB materials as these stores are highly popular and frequently visited by key target groups. nZEB specialized info points within DIY stores can help end-users to become aware of deep renovation advantages and introduce them with the materials and technologies that are used for nZEB construction or renovation and which can be provided by the DIY stores/retailers.
Bulgaria – EnEffect
After several unsuccessful attempts to organize joint events directly with DIY stores in the country, the opportunity to initiate an nZEB-related event together with the biggest commercial center in Sofia was pursued and realized, partially involving in the process one of the biggest DIY chains in Bulgaria – Mr. Bricolage. The event featured product exhibition and live demonstration organized in the framework of the nZEB Roadshow project, and training sessions supported by nZEB Ready. The interest was quite high, with some of the most prominent product suppliers (e.g. Knauf, LG) joining the event, and multiple visitors of the shopping center paying attention to the exhibition (including a kids’ corner) and training sessions.
Croatia-REA North
REA North organized in total three nZEB info points. First one in front of the MDV Centar in Varazdin, second in front of Pevex d.d. in Koprivnica and third one in front of Pevex d.d. in Varazdin. Energy advisors of REA North informed the citizens about the advantages of nearly zero energy buildings, about the materials used and lastly about the importance of having skilled and trained experts and workers ready to build and renovate according to nZEB standard.
Moreover, informal partnerships have been established with the producers and manufacturers of construction materials and equipment, namely Vaillant, Knauf Insulation, Rockwool, who supported this kind of events and are ready to provide additional informational materials on specific products, equipment and materials relevant for DER of existing buildings as well as for the new construction according to nZEB standard.
Poland-RIC Pro-Akademia
Despite the potential benefits of initiating partnerships with DIY stores or retailers to establish NZEB info points, this approach was not feasible to be implemented in Poland. The product assortment of DIY stores does not fully encompass the range of solutions required for nZEB projects. While they offer basic energy-efficient products, they lack the specialized expertise and product offerings necessary to address the comprehensive needs of nZEB customers. Furthermore, DIY stores typically prioritize product sales over customer education, especially on an in-depth level yet in wide area, ensuring comprehensive understanding of the nZEB components and their interrelations. Finally, DIY stores in Poland are large retail chains shops with a lengthy and bureaucratic decision-making process.
Romania – Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Cluster Pro-Nzeb, INCD URBAN-INCERC
Partnerships with DIY stores/retailers are of great importance for promotion of energy efficient products and nZEB materials at their premises. However, most of the DiY chains in Romania are not responding well to initiatives like nZEB specialized info points in their premises or to introducing new materials and technologies that are used for nZEB construction or renovation but are not yet popular or still considered as niche.
Nevertheless, one of the biggest chains of building services equipment and materials, ROMSTAL Imex, was approached by the nZEB Ready team in Romania and a partnership for collaboration to project activities was signed with Pro-nZEB Cluster.
A series of activities aimed at increasing the level of knowledge on the implementation of the nZEB concept were held – from the presentation of nZEB installation solutions, a guided tour of the ROMSTAL Academy, to a very informative workshop on photovoltaic systems to discussions on nZEB details with a focus on tear-offs and envelope sealing (solutions provided by RT Izolatii (RENOVATA and nZEB Shop) or Mander Forest (MIRADEX) timber frame structure).
Portugal-LNEG
LNEG participated in the largest international fair in the construction sector in Portugal, TEKTONICA, with the presentation of projects in the area of Energy in the Built Environment, acting as an info point of the European project nZEB Ready, which aims to act in the building market, informing stakeholders and stimulating the supply of skills in the construction sector related to energy efficiency and integration of renewable energy generation.
Also, LNEG participated in the ENERTECH regional fair in the area of renewable generation and energy efficiency, functioning as an information point for the European nZEB Ready project, which aims to operate in the construction market, informing stakeholders and stimulating the supply of skills in the construction sector.
