If houses are built nowadays, more and more technology is usually built into them. State-of-the-art technology can quickly turn out to be a cost trap.
Why it can be worthwhile to rely on less technology.
The third rent
Energy efficiency is one of the biggest issues in modern construction. More and more helpers, large and small, are being deployed to make living as comfortable as possible for the residents. But this can quickly be expressed in the so-called third rent, which is due for the maintenance of the technology in the house. “In the future, the costs for the third rent will far exceed the energy costs saved. There is a strong rebound effect, ”construction expert Timo Leukefeld told Immobilien Investment Akademie.
For example, when it comes to heating, there is increasing focus on keeping the heat efficiently in the building. In view of the milder winter, you should actually invest a lot more in how a building can be efficiently air-conditioned in summer. Here, when cooling down in terms of a kilowatt hour, there are three times as much costs as for heating, as Timo Leukefeld said in a guest post in Capital.
Keep costs down
But other factors can ultimately lead to higher costs, although the aim when installing the latest technology was actually to keep operating costs low. A proper buzzer is already due when the purchase is made to enable smart and energy-efficient living. However, modern systems also incur high maintenance costs every year if a craftsman can be found who has the necessary know-how. Due to the prevailing lack of qualified craftsmen, experts can in turn demand a higher wage or there are long waiting times, as Leukefeld points out.
In addition, the total number of smart devices can turn out to be real power guzzlers and thus put an additional burden on the housing budget. The lifespan of the helpers would also decrease continuously, as Leukefeld observed, which means that expensive new acquisitions are necessary more often than was planned. In Germany, hot and cold water meters have to be replaced every six years anyway.
De-technology can be worthwhile
For these reasons, it can be worthwhile to do without unnecessary technology if you want to reduce permanent costs. “We need simpler, more solid and less technology when building. Affordable housing requires less technology, ”says the former craftsman. Especially since rents, especially in cities, are already increasing due to a lack of living space. Due to fluctuating electricity, gas and oil prices, tenants also have to adjust their operating costs up and down. It helps if there are no additional costs due to the built-in technology. De-technology could be a way to save costs here.
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