One of the most common forms of home ownership in the country is the borettslag, a housing cooperative model that combines private living rights with collective ownership and shared financial responsibility.

For many people, a borettslag offers a more affordable route into the housing market. For others, it introduces restrictions and risks they did not fully understand at the point of purchase.

Understanding how borettslag ownership works is essential before you commit.

This guide explains what a borettslag is, how the finances really work, and why details such as shared debt, house rules, and governance matter more today than ever.

What is a Borettslag?

A borettslag is a housing cooperative with a specific legal structure. Rather than owning an individual apartment or house outright, residents own shares in the cooperative. Those shares give the exclusive right to live in a specific home.

Borettslag are most commonly associated with apartment living, but they can also include terraced housing (rekkehus) and, in rarer cases, detached homes. The term describes the ownership model, not the physical type of building.

The cooperative itself owns the buildings and land. As a shareholder, you must follow the borettslag’s articles of association (vedtekter) and house rules (husordensregler). These regulate everything from noise levels and renovations to pets and renting.

In return, the borettslag is responsible for maintaining shared structures and facilities, while you retain responsibility for the interior of your own home.

Borettslag vs. “selveier”

Typically, when looking at buying a house in Norway, foreign buyers often compare borettslag ownership with selveierÌę(freehold ownership).

With selveier, you own your individual unit outright and typically have greater freedom to rent it out or make changes. With borettslag, your rights are more limited, but the purchase price is often lower and major maintenance costs are shared collectively.

The trade-off is simplicity versus control. Borettslag ownership works well for people who want predictable maintenance and fewer personal responsibilities, but it is less suitable for buyers seeking investment flexibility.

How Borettslag Ownership Works in Practice

When you buy into a borettslag, you purchase a specific share number linked to a specific home. That share gives you:

– the exclusive right to live in your unit
– access to common areas
– voting rights in the cooperative
– in many cases, pre-emption rights on future sales

Because the cooperative owns the property, changes to façades, balconies, windows, roofing, and shared installations are usually outside your control. Even internal renovations may require board approval if they affect structure, plumbing, ventilation, or neighbours.

Money Matters

The most misunderstood aspect of borettslag ownership is shared debt, known in Norwegian as fellesgjeld.

When a borettslag is built, the cooperative typically takes out a large collective loan to finance construction. Over time, additional loans may be added to fund major improvement projects such as roof replacement, façade upgrades, new balconies, or energy improvements.

Each apartment carries a defined share of this joint debt.

Total cost, not asking price

The headline purchase price can be misleading. The true cost of a borettslag apartment is purchase price + your share of the joint debt.

Banks assess affordability using this combined figure, not the advertised price alone. In cities like Oslo, it is increasingly common for the shared debt to represent a substantial portion of the total cost.

Monthly common costs

Your share of the joint debt is repaid through the monthly common costs (felleskostnader). These usually include:

– interest and instalments on shared debt
– municipal fees
– buildings insurance
– caretaker and cleaning services
– electricity for common areas
– routine maintenance and exterior upkeep

Because interest rates rose sharply after 2022, borettslag with high shared debt have seen significant increases in monthly costs. This has made the financial structure of a cooperative far more important than it was a decade ago.

‘Avdragsfrihet': the hidden risk

Many newer borettslag loans include periods of avdragsfrihet, meaning interest is paid but no principal is repaid for several years. This keeps monthly costs artificially low in the early years.

Once repayments begin, common costs can jump dramatically.

Buyers should always check:
– whether the shared debt is currently interest-only
– when repayments are scheduled to start
– whether refinancing is planned

These details are usually buried in board reports rather than sales ads.

Can you repay shared debt early?

Some borettslag allow individual shareholders to repay their portion of the shared debt early, often referred to as an . If permitted, this can significantly reduce monthly costs.

However, not all cooperatives offer this option, and conditions vary. It is not a universal right and must be confirmed in advance.

Maintenance Responsibilities in a Borettslag

A common rule of thumb is:

– The borettslag is responsible for the exterior and shared structures
– You are responsible for everything inside your unit

This typically means the cooperative handles roofs, façades, windows, entrances, stairwells, drainage, and shared systems, while you maintain kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and internal wiring.

Damage that affects other units, such as leaks, can blur these boundaries, so responsibility is not always straightforward.

Renting Out a Home in a Borettslag

Renting rules are one of the most restrictive aspects of borettslag ownership. Unlike selveier properties, you do not automatically have the right to rent out your home. Rules are set by the articles of association and enforced by the board.

Common restrictions include:
– a minimum period of owner-occupation before renting is allowed
– limits on rental duration, often two to three years
– requirements for board approval in advance

In some borettslag, renting is prohibited entirely except in specific circumstances, such as temporary work relocation or military service.

Anyone considering future rental income should treat borettslag restrictions as a potential deal-breaker and verify the rules before buying.

Selling a Borettslag Home

Selling a borettslag apartment is broadly similar to selling a freehold property, but with one important difference: pre-emption rightsÌę(ŽÚŽÇ°ù°ìÂáĂž±èČő°ù±đłÙłÙ).

In many cooperatives, existing members have the right to purchase the property on the same terms as an external buyer. This process can delay completion and, in some cases, derail a sale entirely.

Priority systems are often administered by large housing organisations , which operates membership-based queues. Whether pre-emption rights apply, and how long the process takes, should always be clarified during the buying and selling process.

Governance and Decision-Making

Borettslag are democratic organisations. Each shareholder normally has one vote, regardless of apartment size or value.

Major decisions are made at general meetings. Such decisions include:
– taking on new loans
– refinancing existing debt
– approving large maintenance projects
– changing house rules

For buyers, this means future costs are not fixed. Well-run borettslag with transparent finances and active boards tend to be more stable. Poor governance can lead to sudden cost increases or delayed maintenance.

Reviewing recent annual reports and meeting minutes is one of the most important steps in evaluating a purchase.

Tax Considerations

As a borettslag shareholder, you can deduct interest paid on your share of the joint debt in your annual tax return, just as you would with a private mortgage.

Most cooperatives provide an annual statement summarising deductible amounts. This information is also typically pre-filled in Norwegian tax returns, but it remains your responsibility to check it is correct.

Is Borettslag Ownership Right For You?

Borettslag ownership suits buyers who:
– plan to live in the property long-term
– value shared maintenance and predictable management
– do not need rental flexibility
– are comfortable with collective financial decisions

It may be less suitable for those seeking investment freedom, short-term ownership, or full autonomy over their property. Understanding the cooperative’s finances, rules, and governance is just as important as liking the apartment itself.

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There’s something undeniably satisfying about walking through the door of your own home for the first time. Whether it’s a cozy city apartment or a small house tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood, the feeling of having your own space is hard to beat.

For many young people living in Norway, owning a property is an achievable dream—yet in today’s economy, the steps to get there can feel steep.

Between rising house prices and the high equity requirements for securing a mortgage, saving enough to buy your first home can feel like an impossible task. But what if there was a way to make that dream a little more reachable?

Enter BSU—Norway’s housing savings scheme designed specifically for young people under 34. It’s one of the country’s most beneficial savings tools for future homeowners, offering a good interest rate and also helpful tax deductions.

If you’re an international living in Norway, this could be your stepping stone to owning property here. It helped me when I first moved here, even though I was only eligible to save in a BSU scheme for a couple of years.

How Does BSU Work?

The ‘Boligsparing for Ungdom' (‘Property Savings for Youth', known as BSU) account is a specialised savings scheme available to anyone under the age of 34 who is planning to buy property in Norway.

The program offers two major benefits: tax deductions and high interest rates. Here’s a breakdown of how you can make the most of it:

Annual savings limit: You can deposit up to NOK 27,500 per year into your BSU account. This might not sound like a huge amount, but the program is designed to encourage steady, long-term savings.

Tax deduction: Perhaps the biggest draw of BSU is the tax deduction. You can deduct 10% of your annual savings from your income taxes. For example, if you save the maximum NOK 27,500 in a year, you’ll receive NOK 2,750 in tax deductions.

This extra incentive can really add up over time, especially for someone in their 20s with a relatively lower salary.

Interest rates: BSU accounts offer some of the best interest rates available in Norway’s savings market. Typically, interest rates hover around 5-6%, meaning your savings grow faster than they would in a regular account.

Just be aware that the interest cannot be included in your annual savings limit, but it will continue to accumulate until you use the money for buying your home.

Who Is Eligible for BSU?

The BSU scheme is open to anyone under the age of 34, but there are a few important conditions to keep in mind:

First-time buyers: BSU is most beneficial for people who don’t yet own property. If you already own a home, you can still save in a BSU account, but you won’t be able to claim the tax deduction. However, you’ll still benefit from the high interest rate.

Income requirements: While there’s no minimum age to open a BSU account, you must have a taxable income to claim the tax deduction. If you’re under 17 or not earning enough to pay tax, you won’t benefit from the tax relief just yet.

What Can You Use BSU Savings For?

The money in your BSU account is reserved for property-related expenses, so it’s important to know exactly what you can and can’t use it for. Here are some of the approved uses:

Buying your first home: Whether you’re purchasing a small apartment in a borettslag or your dream house, your BSU savings can go towards the down payment.

Paying off your mortgage: You can also use BSU funds to pay down your existing mortgage, including both interest and principal.

Home improvements: BSU savings can be used for maintenance, renovations, or even outdoor upgrades like building a veranda or installing an EV charging station.

What You Can’t Use BSU Savings For

While BSU is a great savings tool for property-related expenses, there are on what you can't spend the savings on.

The account is specifically designed to help you buy or maintain your primary residence, so funds can’t be used for anything beyond that. Here are some of the restrictions:

Holiday homes: The BSU savings cannot be used for buying a second home, such as a cabin, holiday house, or rental property. The account is strictly for your main residence.

Furniture and appliances: If you’re excited about furnishing your new home, you’ll need to use other funds for that. BSU savings can’t be spent on furniture, freestanding household appliances, or tools.

Non-permanent homes: If you dream of owning a houseboat, a camper, or a mobile home, BSU won’t help with those purchases. The money must go toward a traditional brick-and-mortar home.

Extra land: You can use BSU savings to buy a plot of land for building a home, but it must be for your primary residence. You cannot use the funds to purchase additional plots of land.

Renovations on other properties: While you can use BSU funds for renovations or upgrades to your main home, you can’t use the money to renovate or improve a secondary residence or holiday property.

By understanding these restrictions, you can make more informed decisions about how and when to use your BSU savings. This helps ensure that you make the most of this beneficial scheme, without facing unexpected penalties.

But there are a few restrictions. You can’t use the funds for furnishing your home or purchasing a holiday property. The money is strictly reserved for your primary residence.

Why BSU Is Worth Considering for Internationals

If you’re a young international living in Norway, saving for a home might seem daunting, especially with rising property prices. But BSU offers a significant financial boost.

If you plan on staying in Norway long-term, this savings scheme can help you build up a deposit faster, thanks to the high interest rates and tax deductions.

Just remember that you’ll need to meet the income requirements to get the full benefit from the tax deductions.

A Word of Warning

But what if your plans change? Let’s say you need to leave Norway unexpectedly or decide not to buy property here. In such cases, you can still access the money in your BSU account, but there’s a catch.

If you withdraw the funds without using them for property-related purposes, you will lose all the tax benefits you've accumulated, and you may be subject to additional taxes on the savings.

Essentially, the BSU account is designed to reward those who follow through on purchasing a home in Norway. So, if you’re unsure whether you’ll stay long-term, it’s something to consider carefully before locking your savings into a BSU account.

How to Open a BSU?

There isn't one place to go to open a BSU. They are a financial instrument (like a pension) that can be offered by banks and other financial institutions. Opening a BSU account is simple, and most major banks in Norway offer this savings scheme.

If you already have a bank account in Norway, check if your bank offers BSU accounts. Don't have one? Here's how to open a bank account in Norway.

You can typically open a BSU account online through your bank’s website or mobile banking app. Once the account is open, you can start saving. Keep in mind that you can only open one BSU account during your lifetime, so choose wisely.

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After a long and arduous search, the excitement of finally moving into your new home in Norway is palpable. The picturesque landscapes, cozy interiors, and the promise of new adventures make this moment truly special.

Amidst the joy of settling in, one crucial aspect that often goes overlooked is fire safety. Ensuring your home is protected from potential fire hazards is essential for your well-being and peace of mind.

Note: In an emergency, contact the fire service on 110

Fire safety involves several precautions aimed at preventing fires that could lead to injury, death, or property damage. It also includes measures to alert occupants of an uncontrolled fire, enabling them to evacuate safely and reduce potential damage.

Many fire-related fatalities in homes result from smoke poisoning, highlighting the importance of having proper knowledge and fire protection equipment.

Mandatory Fire Safety Requirements in Norway

To ensure fire safety, every Norwegian home must have a minimum of one approved smoke detector and one fire extinguisher.

The property owner is responsible for installing these devices, and it is highly recommended to have them on each floor of multi-level homes.

Fire extinguishers are mandatory for all properties and can be either a fire hose, capable of reaching all areas of the property, or a portable extinguisher with a minimum effect of 21A.

Read more: Emergency Services in Norway

In buildings with multiple apartments, a common area fire hose is acceptable. The equipment should be visible, easily accessible, and regularly maintained, with all residents familiarized with its use.

Smoke detectors must also be installed in every property. For larger homes or those with multiple levels, multiple detectors connected in series are advisable to ensure simultaneous alarms.

Placement is crucial—detectors should be near stairwells, escape routes, and at the highest points of ceilings, at least 50 centimeters from walls. The alarms must be audible in all bedrooms, even with doors closed.

Regular Testing is Critical

While the property owner provides the smoke detectors, residents are responsible for testing them monthly, particularly after vacations, and for changing the batteries annually or when the detector signals a low battery. This simple monthly check can be a lifesaver.

In the unfortunate event of a fire, if it is small and manageable, adults and older children may attempt to extinguish it using a fire hose or extinguisher. However, if the fire seems threatening, prioritize evacuation and call the fire department at 110, clearly stating the address.

Regular fire drills with your family are highly recommended. If you live in a building with several properties, organizing drills with your neighbors can be beneficial.

Know all escape routes, agree on alerting measures, and practice these during drills. Ensure your children understand fire prevention and evacuation procedures.

Fire Prevention Measures in Norway

Preventing fires is just as important as knowing how to react to them. Avoid overloading electrical systems, especially in winter when heating demands increase. Turn off appliances when not in use rather than leaving them on standby.

Always extinguish candles before leaving a room and refrain from smoking indoors. Regularly clean your stove, oven, and kitchen ventilator to prevent grease buildup, and avoid cooking when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Check fuse boxes for burn marks or excessive heat, and keep lighters, matches, and candles out of children’s reach. Fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned regularly, typically every four years by the fire department.

If fuses are hot or frequently blow, your system may be overloaded. Reduce electricity use or distribute it across more circuits.

Electrical heaters should be directly connected to sockets, not extension cords, and must not be covered. Avoid running dryers and washing machines overnight or when you’re not home. Movable heaters should be supervised when in use.

Flammable liquids should be stored away from ignition sources, and stairways and exits must remain unobstructed. During summer, be cautious with grills on decks, as they are flammable.

For pet owners, regularly check electrical cords for signs of chewing or damage. The property owner must ensure the electrical system meets regulations and can handle the load.

If faults are suspected, disconnect relevant equipment and contact a registered electrician. Tenants should report any electrical issues to the property owner immediately.

By taking these steps, you can ensure your new home in Norway is safe from fire hazards, allowing you to enjoy your new beginning with peace of mind. Welcome to your new home, and stay safe!

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Despite exchange rate movements in recent years, moving to Norway remains an expensive undertaking. One of the biggest expenditures is almost always going to be finding somewhere to live.

Even if you intend to stay in the country long-term, buying a house in Norway is not recommended for new arrivals.

This is largely due to the complexities of the housing market, the high costs associated with purchasing property, the need for a substantial downpayment, and the difficult of obtaining a mortgage without being ‘in the system'.

For those who are just getting settled, renting a place to live is often the most practical and financially viable option.

Introducing the Norwegian Hybel

The cheapest way to rent is to rent a room in a shared house or apartment, but that's not something that many people would like to consider once their student years are behind them. This is where the ‘hybel' comes in.

A ‘hybel' is a small, self-contained living space that is typically rented out to individuals. It is akin to a bedsit or a studio apartment and is especially popular among students and young professionals due to its affordability and convenience.

‘Hybler' (the plural of hybel) are usually compact, combining living, sleeping, and kitchen areas into one room, with a separate bathroom, and its own entrance.

They are often, but not always, converted basements of larger houses, rented out by the owner who more often than not lives in the rest of the building. However, apartment blocks of studio apartments can also be called ‘hybler'.

How to Rent a Hybel

Generally speaking, most advice on finding property in Norway tends to start and end at . As Norway's everything marketplace, Finn has a great selection of accommodation and is usually the best place to start your search.

However, hybler are not limited to Finn.no. Another good place to search online is . Here, you're more likely to find hybler and other smaller accommodations including flat shares, often with shorter term rental agreements and lower deposits.

If you're a student, the international office of the university or institute will be the best place to start. Here, you'll get advice, assistance, and possibly a curated list of places to consider.

It's also possible to find a hybel simply by asking around. However, be wary of unscrupulous landlords! Always get a written contract and, if you don't speak Norwegian yet, make sure you understand what it says.

Regardless of the contract, there are some aspects of renting a studio apartment that are protected by law. This includes access to a bathroom and toilet, even if it isn't part of the studio. Windows and escape routes are also required.

How Much Does a Hybel Cost?

How long is a piece of string? Seriously, the cost of a hybel varies on so many factors. The most important include the specific city, the proximity to the city centre, proximity to public transport, and the student demand in the area.

In Oslo, you're unlikely to find anything for less than NOK 7,500 per month, although in much of the city the rents are in to five figures.

Here in Trondheim, a hybel starts from approximately NOK 5,500, but increase to NOK 8,000 if you want to be close to the city centre.

These are just approximate amounts, so it's best to have a quick look at Finn.no or Hybel.no to get an idea for the area you're interested in.

Advantages of Renting a Hybel

Affordability: Hybler are often more affordable than larger apartments or houses, making them an attractive option for those on a budget.

Simplicity: With limited space, hybler encourage a minimalist lifestyle, which can be liberating for those looking to declutter and simplify their lives.

Location: Many hybler are located in central areas, close to universities, workplaces, and amenities, reducing the need for long commutes. It also provides experience of living in a particular area, before you decide on a longer-term choice.

Flexibility: Renting a hybel often comes with shorter lease terms, providing flexibility for those who may not be ready to commit to a long-term rental or property purchase.

Things to Consider Before Renting a Hybel

Space: Evaluate whether the limited space of a hybel will meet your needs. Consider your lifestyle and how much space you require for daily activities and storage.

Utilities: Check what is included in the rent. Some hybler come with utilities included, while others do not. Ensure you understand the full cost of living in the space.

Furnishings: Many hybler are rented furnished. Verify what is provided and the condition of the furnishings. If the hybel is unfurnished, factor in the cost and hassle of buying and moving furniture, especially if the lease is short.

Privacy: Hybler in larger buildings or shared houses may offer less privacy than standalone apartments. You will likely have your own entrance, but if not, consider the noise levels and the presence of any common areas.

Lease Terms: Review the lease terms carefully. Note the duration, the notice period required for termination, and any penalties for breaking the lease early.

Have you ever rented a hybel in Norway? If so, I'd love to hear your experiences and advice down in the comments.

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Welcome to our comprehensive guide to apartments in Norway. Whether you're moving to this beautiful country or simply looking to relocate within it, this article will help you navigate the ins and outs of Norway’s property market.

We'll explore the various types of Norwegian apartments, from a charming historic ČúČâȔÄ°ù»ć in the heart of Oslo, to a modern, energy-efficient new build with all the modern amenities.

We'll also dive into the nuances of renting versus buying, and provide helpful tips on apartment sizes, costs, and the renting process.

So sit back, get cozy, and join this exciting journey through the diverse world of Norwegian apartments.

An introduction to Norwegian apartments

Norwegian apartments range from rustic old buildings, full of character, to hypermodern, energy-efficient smarthomes. For the purpose of this article, we divided Norwegian apartments into four main categories.

The list is not exhaustive but it encompasses a large share of what’s available out there.

”țČâȔÄ°ù»ć

This is your traditional, uber-European apartment block. Typically built between 1840 and 1910, the units in these blocks vary in size and quality depending on what refurbishments were carried out over the decades.

They are full of historic charm and are often located in attractive locations, which can be a bit noisy. Due to their age, the inside can vary from draughty and shabby to swanky and modern, depending on the amount of TLC their successive owners have given them.

You will find loads of these in Oslo, and quite a few in Bergen and Trondheim. Smaller cities like Ålesund also have some.

The post-war nondescript blocks

Countless apartment blocks were built in the 1950s and 1960s, to meet a skyrocketing housing demand during the post-war rebuilding period.

With their square, empty-looking windows, they don’t look like much from the outside, but they often have balconies (which a ČúČâȔÄ°ù»ć usually lacks) and sizeable rooms.

Because of the period they were built in, they are typically not quite as central as the ČúČâȔÄ°ù»ć, but “not quite as central” in Oslo is still not necessarily very far.

The new builds

These are built during the past 15-ish years. Unlike the units in the previous two categories, they have modern ventilation systems, and high energy efficiency.

What you save in energy bills will likely disappear in mortgage or rent though. Expect top-tier prices for apartments in such buildings.

The sokkelleilighet / hybel

Perhaps the least appealing of all the types we have described, the sokkelleilighet (basement apartment) can be an attractive option if you are looking to rent and want to save money.

Beware of unscrupulous owners, or even well-intentioned ones who don’t know the rules. More on how to spot these below.

Known as a hybel, such studio apartments are found in detached houses, usually dating from any time after the war.

More recent ones are more cleverly done. The older ones are often an afterthought by owners looking to make extra money or wanting space for an elderly relative.

Speaking of relatives, be aware that this type of rental is more liable to a sudden termination of the contract by the owner if they decide that they need the apartment for a relative. They can also terminate the contract to do extensive renovations.

The notice period specified in the contract still has to be respected of course, and this kind of termination can happen in any type of rental. But it is more likely to happen in cases where the owner only has the one sokkel apartment to rent out, than when they own a building full of units.

The size of Norwegian apartments

Norwegian apartments are somewhat smaller than their American counterparts, and comparable in size to British flats.

One important detail to know about when looking for one is how Norwegians refer to apartment sizes. In the US and UK, it’s customary to “count the bedrooms”. You’ll refer to an apartment as a “one-bedroom apartment”, for example.

In Norway, a one-bedroom apartment is referred to as a “to-roms leilighet” (literally: two-room apartment). Essentially, Norwegians count the living room and kitchen as one room, and each subsequent bedroom as an additional room.

A tip for our American friends looking to buy or rent in Norway: you will have to start thinking in square metres instead of square feet. Luckily, the conversion is not too difficult: one square metre equates to around 10-11 square feet.

Renting an apartment in Norway

Norwegians have a strong belief that owning a home is inherently better than renting one. Government policies favouring home ownership have made this a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Because of this, the rental market in Norway is smaller and less developed than in countries such as the US or the UK. This means there are comparatively fewer apartments to rent, and many of the available ones are not in apartment buildings.

In fact, as we described above, it is quite common for apartments to be a section of a detached house (typically in the basement of a house, with the owner living on the ground floor).

This, again, comes from a desire to make home ownership easier. Having rental income helps with paying a mortgage.

The cost of rental apartments in Norway

Renting an apartment in Norway is not as expensive as you might think, considering how expensive everything else is in this country.

Of course, everything is relative, but the average Norwegian one-bedroom apartment costs about the same as in the UK, and much less than in the US.

A to-rom (one-bedroom apartment) will set you back, on average 9880 NOK a month (942 USD/759 GBP at the time of writing). Of course, most people don’t live in an “average apartment”, so your experience may vary.

If you’re looking for a one-bedroom apartment in Oslo, expect to pay about 3000 NOK more than the Norwegian average every month. Prices in Bergen and Trondheim are close to the average, while prices in smaller cities can be expected to be below average.

How to rent an apartment in Norway

Finding an apartment to rent in Norway is best done by browsing ads on , a website that effectively holds a monopoly of sorts on the classified ads market in Norway. You can easily filter your search by area, size and price.

When looking at the ads, make sure to check what the price includes. Some places include things like cable and internet, hot water and heating, or even the entire electricity bill. Also check if the ad mentions anything about included furniture or appliances.

Read more: Scandinavian Furniture

Normally, you will select a place and schedule a visit with the owner or broker. If both parties agree to move forward, the next step is to sign the rental contract.

The contract should look something like this , the Norwegian consumer protection agency. It should contain details about the security deposit, which is an important point.

The security deposit in Norway is massive by international standards. The owner can legally demand up to six times the monthly rent as a security deposit.

Regulation states that the deposit should be placed in a special, that serves no other purpose than holding that particular deposit. NEVER agree to anything else.

If a house owner wants you to transfer the deposit to any other account, run away and don’t look back, as that is a massive red flag.

The account system is custom-designed to protect both you and the owner, and since the amount is potentially so substantial, you want to be sure things are done correctly.

If you cannot afford the security deposit, be aware that special loans are available to cover it. When you stop renting the apartment, you get your deposit back, with interests, provided that you did not trash the place.

Another detail: check if the contract gives you responsibilities, such as snow removal or washing common corridors or stairs. It is not unheard of for such responsibilities to be shared by all residents of a building. 

Buying an apartment in Norway

To buy an apartment in Norway, the best place to start is to browse the ads on – you guessed it – . There are certain confusing details you need to know about before you start.

The first of these is the type of ownership. Apartments are sold in Norway in two main ways: andelseier and selveier.

Andelseier apartments: owning a share of a building

If an apartment is sold under the andelseier type of ownership (also referred to as borettslag apartments), the buyer is essentially buying a share in a building allowing them to live in their apartment.

This may sound scary, but in reality, it’s very much the same as owning the apartment.

The difference is that the building itself is owned by a separate legal entity (the borettslag, led by a board composed of residents). A borettslag is a housing cooperative that aims to provide its shareholders (members) with the right to use a property in the cooperative's ownership.

Properties in a borettslag are usually apartments or townhouses/terraced houses, but other types of housing can also be included. All residents of such a building have to contribute to the coop’s common fees, which include maintenance, municipal fees and loan repayments.

One major benefit of purchasing a borettslag apartment is that you don’t need to pay the dokumentavgift (document transfer tax), which amounts to 2.5% top of the total price.

There are drawbacks though, such as having to ask the board for permission if you want to sublet your apartment or do certain types of renovations.

Selveier apartments: your own apartment

If a coop-inspired system doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you could go for a selveier (self-owned) apartment.

You will have to pay the 2.5% document transfer tax, but in exchange, you really own the place with (almost) no strings attached and get more freedom with regards to renovations.

Doing building maintenance and repairs with this form of ownership can be a bit more complicated. Unlike the borettslag, which is its own legal entity, the board of a building of selveier apartments cannot take up a loan as easily to say, repair the roof.

This means that larger projects are financed either by using the savings accumulated by the building’s board from years of monthly fees, or by asking the various apartment owners to pay for their respective shares. Some of the owners may end up having to get loans to achieve this.

These extra complications sometimes result in maintenance or repairs being delayed if the various owners fail to come to agreement over what needs to be done. In a borettslag, responsibility for the building’s basic maintenance is delegated to the board, which makes the process a bit more straightforward.

That being said, if you prefer not having to ask anyone’s permission to fix up your place, the selveier model is the right one for you. The same applies if you want to rent it out to someone else.

Heating in Norwegian apartments

A very important detail in a Nordic country in these times of energy crisis: check your prospective apartment’s insulation and heating system. Does the apartment have a wood burning stove?

If it does, remember they are not all created equal. Newer stoves heat more efficiently and pollute less.

Does the apartment have old-fashioned, not-so-efficient electric heating (called panelovner in Norwegian). Is it connected to a district heating system?

Or, did one of the previous owners of the place install a heat pump? Energy-efficient air to air heat pumps are massively popular in Norway, but they are often unavailable to people living in borettslag apartments, because of installation practicalities and noise considerations.

Dugnad: a very Norwegian word

Regardless of the ownership type you go for, chances are you won’t escape the ever-present dugnad. A dugnad is a collective, volunteer action by a community that benefits the entire community.

Think old time barn raising – a whole village getting together to rebuild a barn after a fire, but applied to a wider range of situations. In the context of an apartment building, this can mean all hands on deck in the spring to sweep the parking lot, rake the lawn and trim the bushes.

The penalty for not attending is
 well, nothing more than shame I suppose. The benefit is an occasion to meet your otherwise not-very-talkative Norwegian neighbours who will suddenly strike up a chat in the midst of working towards a common objective.

Tell us what you think

Have you purchased or rented an apartment in Norway and lived to tell the tale? Are you horrified at the idea of not actually owning your apartment, but instead just owning a share in a building allowing you to live there? Let us know in the comments!

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It’s no secret that living costs in Norway are high when compared to other countries. That’s especially true when it comes to finding affordable property to buy or rent.

These days, electricity is expensive too. Amid rising costs, many people don’t have enough income to cover their housing expenses. In such situations, it is possible to apply for financial support from the government.

This is what you should know about housing benefits in Norway.

Norway’s housing policy

Norway’s housing policy aims for more people to obtain and remain in their own home, whether you are an owner or a tenant. 

In short you can apply for:

• Housing allowance (grant) – including electricity bills from the Norwegian State Housing Bank
• Start-up loan from NAV

Housing allowance

Housing allowance is a government grant and not a loan you have to pay back. 

Requirements for your home

There are some requirements for your home in order to be eligible. Your home must have:

• its own entrance
• its own bathroom and toilet
• kitchen facilities
• somewhere for resting

Maximum income (income ceiling)

In order to qualify, the total income of the household has to be lower than the income ceiling. If the total income exceeds this amount, you are not entitled to a grant.  

This is regardless of what your actual housing costs are. 

The income ceiling depends on your municipality. This is because housing expenses are higher in some areas than others. 

Also, the more people in the household, the higher the income ceiling. See how much the income ceiling is for you .

Example (Jan 2023):

The income ceiling for a 3 person household in Oslo is (before tax): 38 723 kr. And in BodĂž (Nordland, Northern Norway), is 34 921 kr.

If your family makes more than this a month (before tax), you don’t qualify.  

So if you qualify, how much do you get?

This depends on a few things; like number of people in the household, type of housing (owner or tenant), total income, and tax value of your property (if owned by yourself).

You can calculate housing allowance . 

Let’s do a couple of examples:

5-person household 

All numbers are for the total household. And before tax.

Type of housing: rental home.
Total income per month: 40 000 kr.
Net wealth: bank assets: 10 000 kr, student loan 210 000  kr = – 200 000 kr. (= debt)
Rent per month: 16 000 kr. Heating not included.

Housing allowance per month (Oslo):

Estimated housing allowance: 3479 kr.
Estimated electricity allowance: 2100 kr.

Housing allowance per month (BodĂž):

Estimated housing allowance: 1987 kr.
Estimated electricity allowance: 2100 kr.

Frequently asked questions about housing benefits

There is a lot of detail within the housing policy. As such, there are many common questions. Here are some answers to some of the most common questions.

If you are new to Norway, can you apply?

In order to qualify, you need to be a resident of Norway. This means you have a national identity number. A D-number is not sufficient. How long you have lived in Norway is of no significance.

Who are considered members of the household?

They have to be a resident of Norway (same address), and have a Norwegian national identity number. Children included.

Read more: Heat pumps explained

What about housing allowance and benefits from NAV?

NAV is the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration. They administer and pay most benefits in Norway.

Yes, you can get housing allowance in addition to other benefits such as unemployment benefits or disability benefits. 

If you apply for financial assistance from NAV (social assistance) to cover your housing expenses, the municipality will normally require you to apply for housing allowance as well. And this will be deducted from your NAV-support.

Are benefits considered income?

Most benefits are considered income. The same goes for pension. Exempt as income is social assistance from NAV and child benefits. More frequently asked questions are

Application advice

Norway has integrated systems and it is important to give the right information.

The Housing Bank also and will know what benefits you get and how much tax you pay. They can also demand repayment if you have received more than you were entitled to.

It is also important that you tell the bank about changes like: numbers of people in the household, change in housing expenses like mortgage, or change of address.

How do you apply?

You apply online and sign in with BankID. This is the easiest way, and it is also in English.

If you are not able to apply electronically, you can use this , which only is in Norwegian.

Help with high electricity expenses

If you need help with , this is considered a part of the housing allowance, and also a part of the same application, as the one above. 

The Norwegian Government has (temporarily) increased the income limit to entitle more people to housing allowance. 

Start-up loans for mortgage

Start-up loans are for families with children and other people in particularly challenging circumstances. Start-up loans are administered by NAV in your local municipality, and not the Norwegian State Housing Bank.

Such loans are also called m. They are for people who can’t get a mortgage from a normal bank and who are unable to save up for a deposit.

If a normal bank is, in fact, willing to give you a mortgage,  you don’t qualify for a start-up loan. Neither if you are a young first-time buyer.  

In addition to a loan, you may be entitled to a grant. This depends on your municipality. How applications for start-up loans are processed also varies from municipality to municipality. More information about who qualifies is .

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Renovating your home is something of a national sport in Norway. The country regularly tops European rankings for the amount spent on renovations, and someone talking about how they are fixing up their place is a recurring topic of conversation at coffee break.

So whether you’re curious about why they renovate so much, or want to start a project yourself and wonder how it’s done, we have got you covered. We will go over everything you need to know, from what permits to get to what pitfalls to avoid, and most alarmingly: how much it’s going to cost.

Why Norwegians renovate so much

There are several reasons for Norwegians’ love of renos, but the biggest would have to be the rate of home ownership. As many as 60% of Norwegians own detached houses, and keeping them in good shape ensures they hold their value.

The housing market is another big driver for home improvement in Norway. It has been more or less continuously growing since the early 1990s – the financial crisis of the late 00s was a mere blip in oil-rich Norway.

The effect of this booming housing market on renos is twofold: First it means people are more liable to want to sell their house for a profit, and fixing up the place a bit is a good way to ensure a satisfactory selling price.

Secondly, the increase in a home’s value makes it possible to bump up the mortgage to finance expensive projects. It’s something Norwegians have been doing routinely over the past few decades.

The logic is sound, if done within reason. Renovating a house will increase its value, so paying for those projects via the mortgage can be seen as a hybrid between an investment and “getting something nice for yourself”.

How to renovate your home in Norway

There are several factors to consider when renovating your home in Norway. We will now give you an overview of the most important.

What can and can’t be done

The first and probably most important is that certain projects or parts of projects can only legally be done by tradespeople. The best example of this is the bathroom.

The Norwegian building code stipulates that bathrooms should be built as “wet rooms”. A wet room is essentially like a big bathtub: the floor is equipped with a drain.

The floor and lower walls are also completely sealed. This means that you can empty a bucket of water anywhere in the room without causing any problems to the floor below.

Building a bathroom to that standard is obviously a complex affair. The waterproof membrane can theoretically be installed by a non-professional, but it has to be approved by a professional, which largely defeats the purpose of going through the trouble of doing it yourself.

Another layer of complication resides in the fact that most (read: all) Norwegian bathrooms have underfloor heating. This is not a legal requirement but it is so common that not having it would count as a negative when trying to sell.

The underfloor heat is either waterborne or electric. In both cases a faulty installation can have very expensive consequences, either causing a major leak or a fire.

Speaking of which: electricity is another area where the amount of work you can do yourself is limited. The rule of thumb is that if it has a plug, you can install it yourself.

You can also switch the cover plates to light switches, power outlets and connection boxes. Aside from that, you need an electrician.

Need to connect an electric heater that does not have a plug? Electrician. Switch a ceiling light fixture that connects wire-to-wire? Electrician. Replace a light switch with a dimmer? Electrician.

Another reason to get tradespeople to do the work is that you then have documentation that it has been done professionally. This can be useful when selling, but also if something bad happens, particularly in apartment buildings.

A leak that originates from your apartment, for example, can cause you much bigger headaches if it comes to light that the pipes were fitted by an amateur.

When to apply for a permit

If you own a detached house, you are usually okay without a permit as long as the work you are doing does not affect the outside appearance of the house, or does not change the purpose of the rooms.

Renovating your bathroom in a detached house for example, does not require a permit, while converting an empty attic into a bedroom with on suite bathroom does. Expanding your kitchen into the living room a bit does not require a permit, but making changes to a load-bearing wall does. 

If the work changes the outward appearance of your detached house, chances are you will need to apply for a permit. There are exceptions for extensions of less than 15 square metres, but even then, local regulations might overrule these exceptions and the distance from your house to your neighbour’s still has to respect the minimum required by regulation.

When in doubt, the safest bet is to check with your local municipal authorities. If you live in a cooperatively-owned apartment building (borettslag), any work that can affect a neighbour needs to be approved. This applies to adjoining walls, floors and ceilings, for example.

Taking the climate into consideration

If you have experience renovating homes outside of Norway, remember to consider the climate when carrying out a project. Not all windows are suitable for Norwegian winters for example, and insulation is crucial.

Wood burning stoves are common and come with their own sets of complications and regulatory requirements. Awnings are another fixture that are more common in Norway than elsewhere, due to the low-lying sun that can be a nuisance at certain times of the year.

Norwegian hardware shops usually carry products that are suited to the local market, so getting those triple glazed windows should not be too difficult. Builders are also well-aware of the particular challenges posed by the climate and can provide guidance if you are in doubt.

How to find a builder in Norway

Finding a builder can be a daunting task, and being in a country you’re not familiar with can make things even more difficult. Luckily, there are ways to reduce the risks.

Several bidding sites allow you to publish a description of your project and get builders to make offers. Examples are , and .

Once the offers start coming in, you may want to check if the company is legit. Google can be of great help here, of course, but be sure to check the to see that the company is actually in operation and not bankrupt.

Another link that’s super useful is kompetansesjekk.no. The site allows you to type in the name of a builder or company, and check a few things all at once.

The site tells you if the builder is approved to build a wet room, if they have a professional certificate in the subject in question, and if they have central approval. Such approval means that they don’t have to apply for local liability for each individual building project.

Needless to say, you had best steer away from wandering builders who go door to door offering you their services. These builders often use pressure sales tactics and have been known to disappear with the money before completing their projects.

Renovating your home in Norway: two example projects

Over the past couple of years, my partner and I carried out a few renovation projects at our apartment. One of them we did ourselves, the other we contracted out fully to a builder. Here’s what we learned.

Do it yourself: save money but not time

Our first project, at the height of the pandemic, was to redo the floors for much of the apartment. We went for engineered oak floorboards, and did all but one room for a total of about 65 square metres.

Since we did the work ourselves, we only had to pay for materials, which amounted to about NOK 70,000 (approx. $7,000).

The total project, including fitting the floor, removing thresholds, replacing skirt boards and building a new wardrobe, took about a month of hard work, with a few interruptions here and there for red wine, arguments and exhaustion.

Get it done: save time but lose a fortune

Our second project was to renovate a bathroom, joining two rooms into one. The bathroom initially had the toilet in a separate, tiny, sink-less room. We also extended the bathroom a little into an adjoining bedroom.

Read more: Renting a Home in Norway

Given the complexity of the project, we chose to hire a builder for the entirety of the project. The builder took care of the demolition, the rebuilding, the waterproof membrane and the tiling, as well as juggling the other trades such as electrician and plumber.

We still had to do a bit of project management ourselves, but overall, the big technical questions were taken care of by the builder while our input was required mostly for some interior design questions. The project took 10 weeks from start to finish.

The duration is due to the fact that a room had to be entirely demolished and rebuilt, that several trades were involved, and that an adjoining bedroom was affected and also had to be redone.

Since walls had to be demolished and new grooves dug into the cement floor for new drain pipes, we had to get permission from our borettslag. Other than that, no special permits were necessary.

The total cost amounted to an eye-watering NOK 500,000 (approx. $50,000). A very tiny portion of that will be reimbursed to help finance the energy-efficient hot water tank we had installed.

The government agency can help homeowners finance improvements that will make a house or apartment more energy efficient or otherwise environmentally-friendly. Bear in mind that the programme typically finances “early adopter” solutions, so tried-and-tested improvements such as better windows will not necessarily qualify.

How to save money on home renovations

Given the astronomical price of renovations in Norway, cost-cutting measures are sometimes necessary. As explained above, doing some of the work yourself can save money.

A drawback is that it can also create longer delays or stressful periods of intense work for large projects where something specific has to be finished before the next tradesperson comes in. But DIY for finishing touches such as painting, plastering or installing skirt boards can be a good idea.

Shopping around and being flexible when it comes to design can also save you a lot of money. Given Norwegians’ love of renovating, the local market is well-served with options in all price categories.

Waste disposal is another area where you have to choose between cost and time. Norway is serious about proper waste disposal – you can’t just dump building site waste anywhere.

For a fee, you can rent large bags that will be picked up for you once filled. This has the benefit of saving you time that’s better spent doing some work.

If you want to drive the waste yourself to the disposal site, you will have to sort it properly (as getting rid of actual waste costs money, while disposing of materials that can be recycled is free). When renting the bags described above, the sorting is done for you after pick-up.

Financing the project properly is another way to save money. Of course, the very cheapest solution is to save up until you have enough to pay for the whole thing.

Many people will need a loan, though, and if you do, raising your mortgage a bit may end up being more advantageous interest wise than getting a consumer loan.

Last but not least, let’s not forget the hidden cost of doing a bad job the first time around and having to redo part or all of it – or worse, having bad workmanship causing a minor disaster later down the road.

Have you ever renovated a house in Norway? Did it take longer or cost more than you initially expected? Let us know in the comments!

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As temperatures plunge across Norway, thoughts as always turn to heating. Foreigners considering moving here often email to ask us what to expect in terms of heating, energy bills and so on.

Heating your Norwegian home in cold weather can be done in a multitude of ways. Electric heating, heat pumps and wood-burning stoves all have their benefits and drawbacks.

One of the cheapest and most sustainable ways to heat your home in Norway is district heating, called fjernvarme (literally: remote heat) in Norwegian. This system is well-liked in Norway for many reasons.

So join us as we explore the ins and outs of district heating, its history, benefits and drawbacks, and the many reasons why it’s so popular in Norway. If you're about to move into a home with district heating, this is the post for you.

What is district heating?

District heating refers to a system where heat is produced centrally and distributed to buildings via a network of pipes. The heat is usually transported in the form of hot water, but steam is another possibility.

Building the network of pipes necessary for the system to work is costly, so the investment is only worth it in areas that are densely built up. For this reason, district heating is usually found in Norway’s larger cities, and virtually absent in rural areas.

The ancient origins of district heating

District heating has its origins in ancient Rome, where the Romans used a system of central heating known as the hypocaust. The hypocaust consisted of a network of underground tunnels, over which hot air was circulated using a series of furnaces.

This hot air would then be directed into the floors and walls of buildings, heating them from the inside out. The Romans also used a similar system to heat public baths and other public buildings.

This early form of district heating was a highly advanced technology for its time, and it allowed the Romans to enjoy a level of comfort and luxury that was unmatched in the ancient world.

How district heating works

If you move into an apartment heated with district heating, you can expect a few things. First, radiators will be installed here and there around the house, typically close to windows.

Read more: Paying for Power in Norway

These radiators will be connected to pipes, which themselves are connected to a main hot water pipe coming in the apartment. The hot water flows in through the pipes, and to the radiators, where it releases its heat and heats up the room.

On the radiator itself is a tap-like knob that functions like a thermostat, allowing you to regulate the flow of water. In addition to the thermostat, the amount of heating provided by district heating is also regulated according to outside temperatures.

This means that if the outside temperature is very cold, the inflow will be warmer. In addition to the valves installed on the radiators themselves, some apartments have a main valve regulating the inflow of hot water into the house.

This valve is generally located in a utility room, together with the meter calculating how much heat has been used. Some buildings have only one such entry point for the whole building, and in those cases the total heating bill will generally be split between tenants according to apartment size.

You will receive a regular bill for the amount of hot water used. In these times of high electricity prices, those with district heating tend to see lower overall costs for energy than equivalent households not connected to a distrcit heating system.

The benefits of district heating

Heating your home with district heating has many advantages. The first is the quality of the heat itself.

Where electric heaters or wood burning stoves work in an on-and-off kind of way, providing their heat in bursts or waves, district heating provides a stable, continuous source of heat.

Another benefit is that the system producing the heat is located outside your house. This means that unlike a furnace, a heat pump or a fireplace, it requires no maintenance on your part.

From the city's point of view, producing heat centrally and distributing it to buildings has many advantages. The first one is an economy of scale.

Instead of having to build and maintain several different boilers to heat a city’s hospital, schools and office buildings, the city only builds one. This is less costly, and saves spaces in each individual building, since furnaces and boilers won't need to be fitted.

Another benefit is that the people operating the thermal energy plant are highly qualified and are focused on just that one task. For a smaller boiler or furnace dedicated to just one building, the person in charge will usually have the responsibility for many other systems, and is likely not to be a specialist in operating heating systems.

District heating and sustainability

This is a big one. When making improvements to the thermal plant supplying heat to the district heating system, you are making all the buildings that are connected to it more sustainable.

Take wood burning stoves, as an example. A homeowner using wood for heating may decide to install a more efficient and less polluting stove, which will make her house a bit more sustainable.

But that improvement will come at a significant cost to the homeowner, and will only affect their one house. An improvement at a district heating facility means that the heating of multiple homes and businesses will now be more sustainable, with the investment only having to be done once.

Many of Norway’s district heating facilities are connected to waste incineration plants, which solves two problems in one go – waste disposal and heat generation. In Oslo, a pilot project is in the works to equip the local incineration plant with a CO₂ capture unit, which will make district heating in that area even more sustainable.

In Trondheim, the sewage processing plant is connected to the district heating network. This is because a by-product of sewage treatment is methane gas, which gets collected and burned to heat water that circulates in the district heating network.

Existing district heating grids also provide an opportunity for ensuring excess industrial heat does not go to waste. The data centres powering the internet, for example, use enormous amounts of electricity and generate a lot of heat.

Connecting these data centre’s cooling systems to existing district heating networks presents an interesting possibility to make good use of that heat energy. In essence, a district heating system provides a natural outlet for any incidental energy that in and of itself would not warrant the building of expensive infrastructure.

District heating networks in Norway

In 2021, district heating facilities delivered heat equivalent to 6,672 GWh to homes, industry and businesses. That’s more than the total electric consumption of Alaska for the same year.

Statistics show that district heating is growing in Norway. The amount of energy delivered has been roughly doubling every ten years.

More than half of the heat goes to businesses and public buildings such as schools, hospitals and municipal office buildings. About a quarter goes to private homes, while the rest goes to industrial facilities.

In some areas where district heating is available, regulatory authorities can force a property developer to connect a new building to the network. Exceptions can be made if the building is equipped with an even more sustainable source of heat (a combination of passive heating and solar panels, for example).

Regulation may force the hand of developers in some cases, but common sense is usually sufficient, since having a property connected to district heating is a good sales argument.

District heating and the energy crisis

District heating has shielded many Norwegian consumers from the effects of the energy crisis. Prices have gone up, but not nearly as much as the electricity prices.

That being said, government support programmes for electricity bills, which do not apply to district heating, may end up equalising much of the difference.

Tell us what you think

Do you have any experience with district heating? What do you think about the idea of heating your house with an outside source of heat? Let us know in the comments!

The post District Heating in Norway: How Norwegian Cities Keep Warm appeared first on șŁœÇֱȄ.

Ask any Norwegian how to reduce your energy bills and heat pumps are likely to come up as a topic.

These machines are famously efficient at converting electricity into heat for your home, but they are bizarrely unpopular in the US and Canada and almost non-existent in the UK.

With energy prices skyrocketing, maybe it’s time to take another look at heat pumps and how they can help households make ends meet. And what better place to look than Norway, where half of households have heat pumps installed?

How heat pumps work

Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the outside air and releasing it into your home. They do this by circulating a refrigerant from the outside to the inside, with the help of a compressor.

Outside the house, the liquid changes states from liquid to gas, absorbing heat in the process. The gas then travels to the inside of the house, and changes back to liquid form, releasing its heat.

It may seem counterintuitive to think that you can heat your home by bringing in heat from the frigid outdoors, but that’s exactly what’s happening when you use a heat pump.

Interested in heat pumps in Norway? Get installation quotes from providers in your area with our friends at Tjenestetorget (affiliate link)

Even at freezing temperatures, there is still enough heat in the air that can be grabbed by a heat pump and transferred into your house.

Heat pumps work on the exact same principle as refrigerators and air conditioning systems. In fact, the exact same heat pumps used to warm up houses in Norway are marketed as air conditioners in warm countries.

Why heat pumps are efficient

Technically, electric heaters are 100% efficient: they convert all of the electrical energy to heat. But this figure tells a misleading story.

Because heat pumps are not heating up air but just moving heat around, they use less electricity to get your home to the same temperature. The reduction is of about 50% to 80%, depending on the type of heat pump and the outside temperature.

The different types of heat pumps

Broadly speaking, there are three types of heat pumps: air source, water source and ground source. Air source heat pumps extract heat from the ambient air outside.

Water source heat pumps extract the heat from a body of water or underground aquifer. This is even more efficient than extracting heat from the air, but is more expensive to install and has the obvious drawback of requiring you to have a body of water close to your home.

Ground source heat pumps extract heat from several metres underground, where the temperature is constant. Again, this is much more efficient than extracting heat from the air, but the drawback is that it requires a costly excavation to install the underground pipes – and that it requires you to have a garden to excavate.

The heat pumps we are talking about in this article, that are so massively popular in Norway, are air source heat pumps: cheaper to install and still much more efficient than traditional electric heating.

Heat pumps in Norway

The first time a heat pump was installed in Norway was in 1978. The technology remained quite rare in the country until the 00s, when it exploded in popularity.

Read more: District Heating in Norway

Part of the reason for this increase in popularity is that the technology reached a new level of maturity. Another factor is that electricity prices spiked in the winter of 2003.

The price hike was temporary, but it was enough to make consumers nervous, and to get them to look for ways of saving energy. In addition, the price increase led the government to create a cash-back programme for homeowners installing heat pumps.

All these factors combined led to an abrupt rise in popularity of heat pumps. Today, about half of Norwegian households have heat pumps installed, resulting in total energy savings of 10 TWh. That’s enough energy to make 368 trips to the moon.

Heat pumps in the US

Heat pumps are relatively prevalent in the Southern states, where they are used both for heating in the winter and for cooling in the summer. In the North, they still suffer from a reputation for being inefficient at cold temperatures.

This reputation is due to the fact that two decades ago, the energy savings brought by a heat pump did not weigh up against installation costs in very cold climates (say temperatures at or below -15°C/5°F).

Nowadays, that reputation is undeserved. Heat pumps have become more efficient and still beat traditional electric heaters at temperatures as low as -30°C/-22°F.

The Inflation Reduction Act should help boost the adoption of heat pumps in the United States. It offers homeowners tax credits for installing them, including especially generous incentives for low-income households.

Heat pumps in Canada

Canada is behind Norway in terms of the rate of adoption of heat pumps for heating. This is in large part due to the perception, described above, that heat pumps do not work well in very cold climates.

The situation is changing though, as Canadians are becoming aware of the large savings heat pumps make possible, even in very cold temperatures. Like in the US, incentive programmes are encouraging consumers to switch to heat pumps.

The , which will provide households subsidies of up to 5000 CAD to cover the costs of switching from oil furnaces to heat pumps.

Heat pumps in the UK

The UK is at the bottom of the list in Europe when looking at the rate of installation of new heat pumps.

This is due to several reasons, including a history of (relatively) low gas prices in the country.

Another hurdle is that many households have central heating with boilers. These systems can be retrofitted with heat pumps, but the installation costs are quite high.

The UK has adopted strict climate targets though, and one of the low-hanging fruits to reduce emissions is a massive switch towards heat pumps.

Interested in heat pumps in Norway? Get installation quotes from providers in your area with our friends at Tjenestetorget (affiliate link)

Given the current energy crisis in the country, expect more in the coming years to encourage a switch towards more efficient systems powered by heat pumps.

Let us know what you think

Do you have a heat pump installed in your home? Have you considered installing one? Let us know in the comments!

The post Heat Pumps: How Norwegians Pay Less for Heating appeared first on șŁœÇֱȄ.

If you’ve ever been to Norway, you may have noticed how widespread chimneys are, even in large cities like Oslo. On a cold winter’s day, you will see smoke rising from many of them.

Heating with wood is common in most northern regions of the world. But wood burners in apartment buildings, which are very common in Norway, are almost unheard of in many large American cities.

In New York city, for example, the a few years ago. In many other cities, heating with wood is not banned but will increase the cost of your house insurance premiums.

So why are wood burning stoves still so popular in Norway? Let us dive in and explore the many reasons which make this heat source a viable option in the country.

Tradition of wood burning stoves in Norway

Let’s get the obvious reason out of the way right from the start. There is a tradition for heating with wood in Norway because for centuries, that was really the only option.

Sure, you could burn other fuels – turf and cow dung are known to have been used historically – but wood has always been the fuel of choice through the ages.

A solution for Norway’s climate

Heating may merely improve comfort further south, but in places like Norway, it is a life necessity. Drying, cutting and stacking a woodpile has always been one of the many tasks that needed doing before winter set in.

Most larger cities in Norway are located at sea level, which helps keep winter temperatures mild (relatively speaking). Places that are further inland, like RĂžros and Kautokeino, are more likely to experience periods of extreme cold.

Koselig

The very Scandinavian concept of kos comes into play when explaining the popularity of heating with wood. A crackling fireplace is a cosy thing indeed, and may be just the right antidote for a long, dark winter.

Some research has shown that . This can really come in handy in the evening during the dark season, when the body’s circadian rhythm is confused by the lack of daylight.

A backup solution for heating

Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket, as the saying goes. When it comes to heating, that means don’t rely exclusively on one source of heating like electricity or a district heating system.

If you rely on electric heating and the power goes out for more than a couple of hours when the temperature is below -15°C (5°F), you’re in trouble. Many residents of Quebec were glad they had other options than electricity during the , when the power went out for weeks on end in the middle of winter.

Several of the deaths that did occur were due to people not being able to keep warm. Others were due to people trying to keep warm by burning fuel without a proper way to evacuate toxic gases.

In that sense, the prevalence of wood heating in Norway means that the country is better prepared to face a similar disaster.

The looming threat of high electricity prices

Electricity prices in Norway go up and down according to demand, and have been doing so for a number of years. While electricity prices have historically been quite low in the country due to an abundance of hydropower, many still remember the winter of 2003.

That year, a mid-winter electricity price spike made it very advantageous to burn wood for heating. In many people’s minds, that winter underlined the importance of having more than one option for heating.

In December of 2021, a new electricity price spike had the same effect. The spike has since been made even worse by the war in Ukraine and its effect on the European energy market.

Benefits for Norway’s energy system

Since many people tend to use their wood burning stoves on the very coldest days, it can be argued that heating with wood benefits the country’s energy system.

By reducing the strain on the grid on the days where electricity consumption is at its highest, wood burning stoves help make the energy system as a whole more robust.

At warmer latitude, the same energy-system-supporting effect can be attained with solar panels. Peaks in consumption in warm countries often happen on the very hottest days, because of air conditioning.

This means that the peaks will coincide with the peaks in production by solar panels. In Norway, short winter days mean that solar panels will be at their minimum levels of production during the mid-winter consumption peaks.

The downsides of wood burning stoves

The coin has two sides of course, and heating with wood does have disadvantages. The obvious one is that it creates smoke.

Smog conditions

In an urban environment where many people may fire up their stoves on a cold day, this can mean smog-like conditions. Since fjord cities like Oslo and Trondheim are next to Gulf stream heated waters, the smog effect can be compounded on cold days by an effect called “temperature inversion”.

Essentially, this effect acts as a kind of atmospheric “lid” preventing the air from circulating, and worsening the smog.

This problem can be mitigated in several ways. Not using the fireplace or wood stove during a temperature inversion days is one, but since those days are often the coldest ones, this solution is not always ideal.

Another solution is to make sure the stove is modern, and that it is used according to its manufacturer’s instructions. Recent wood burning stoves combust the wood and gases much more efficiently, which results in fewer harmful emissions.

As a bonus, modern stoves are also more efficient. This means that they generate more heat from the same amount of wood.

Indoor air quality

When heating with wood, some smoke or gases can get into your house or apartment. This is particularly true in apartment buildings where many units share the same chimney.

To avoid this, make sure you use the stove properly, particularly with regards to regulating the air intake. Ensure that there is no “negative pressure” in the house caused by air being pumped out (by a bathroom or kitchen fan, for example).

Also, when opening the stove door, do it slowly, so as not to create a vortex that sucks harmful gases out.

Climate emissions

Burning anything creates emissions, notably of CO₂, but also of other more potent greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. Again, a modern stove, used properly, will have lower emissions.

Another factor to consider is that wood is a biofuel, meaning that the carbon it contains is part of an ongoing cycle and was already in the atmosphere before it was captured by a tree. This is in opposition to carbon from fossil fuels, which was sequestered underground and is effectively added to the atmosphere when burned.

That being said, there is no getting around the fact that heating with wood generates more greenhouse gases than heating with renewable electricity. For this reason, heating with wood is probably best saved for the very coldest days.

Because those days are also typically the ones when the electricity price is at its highest in Norway, that is when wood stove users will get the most bang for their logs, so to speak.

On a normal day, when there is just a slight chill in the air, stick to conventional electric heating or even better, a heat pump.

Do you use a wood burner in Norway? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

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