Discover how Den Haag is reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability with heating cushions for terraces. Learn about the city’s subsidy program for hospitality businesses to adopt eco-friendly outdoor heating alternatives like Sit & Heat.
Transitioning to Clean Heating on Terraces in Den Haag
Den Haag, known for its vibrant city life and sustainable initiatives, is making significant strides in promoting clean energy. Among its many projects, the transition to clean heating for terraces is a key focus, reflecting the city’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and amplifying environmental sustainability.
The Broader Sustainability Vision
The Hague's commitment to sustainability is anchored in the more sustainable use of resources, which includes clean energy for homes and buildings, clean transport, a clean living environment and more sustainable use of resources. The city's initiatives are not only limited to buildings and transport, but extend to public and private outdoor spaces, including popular restaurant terraces. And in the Netherlands in general, Dutch households are becoming mandatory from 2026 To choose more sustainable alternatives, such as heat pumps or connection to heat networks, when replacing central heating systems.
Grants and funding options are available to facilitate this transition.
Green Energy Neighbourhoods
The concept of Green Energy Neighbourhoods in The Hague is another important part of the city's sustainable initiatives. These neighbourhoods exemplify energy-efficient buildings, extensive use of solar panels and other clean energy methods. They serve as an inspiration and practical model for the rest of the city, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of transitioning to renewable energy sources for both residential and commercial properties.
Clean Heating for Terraces
Specifically for patio heating, Hague encourages the switch from traditional gas heaters to cleaner alternatives. Heated cushions, which are more efficient and produce no direct emissions, are recommended as a suitable solution for heating outdoor spaces. Sit & Heat specialises in customised heating cushions for hospitality businesses and has already provided more than 1,600 terraces in the Netherlands and Europe with sustainable terrace heating. The city is encouraging businesses and residents to start using these clean heating options, in line with wider goals to reduce CO2 emissions and the improve air quality.
Why Clean Terrace Heating Matters
Terrace heating, especially in a city known for its terraces and international social scene, plays an important role in the city's carbon footprint. Traditional gas heaters are ineffective and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By switching to heat pads or other sustainable heating technologies, The Hague aims to achieve several environmental and economic benefits:
Reduce Carbon Emissions:Sit & Heat's heat cushions have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to gas heaters, especially when running on renewable energy. These cushions use minimal electricity and are equipped with smart sensors that automatically switch off the heating when not in use, ensuring energy efficiency.
Improve Air Quality: Unlike gas stoves that produce combustion emissions, electric heat pads do not emit pollutants, contributing to cleaner air in densely populated urban areas.
Promote Sustainability: The switch to heat cushions is part of The Hague's broader goal of promoting a sustainable and environmentally conscious culture among its residents and businesses. This initiative is not only in line with the city's sustainability goals, but also sets an example for other cities.
Energy Efficiency: heat pads are designed to deliver heat directly to people, requiring less energy to heat the surrounding air. This method ensures efficient use of energy and significant cost savings for companies.
Lower Environmental Impact: The lower environmental impact of heat pads includes no direct emissions, lower energy consumption, improved efficiency and a long lifespan with minimal maintenance.Enhanced Customer Experience:: heat pads offer a personalised heating experience, allowing guests to set their own heat level. This improves comfort and increases the usability of outdoor spaces all year round, transforming cold and empty city spaces into vibrant and economically viable hotspots.
The Path Forward
The transition to clean heating on terraces is part of The Hague's broader strategy to become one of the most sustainable cities in Europe. Plans continue, with ongoing improvements and new technologies being integrated to ensure the city meets its ambitious environmental targets.
Subsidy Program for Sustainable Heating
To support this transition, The Hague is offering grants of up to €2,500 for companies investing in energy-saving and sustainable heating solutions. Find out how you can benefit from this programme here:
- Request an Appointment: Schedule a free consultation with a heating expert who will assess your terrace and discuss available subsidy options.
- Design and Proposal: For the next step, Sit & Heat can produce a custom design and quote for your custom terrace heating cushions.
- Installation and Paperwork: The necessary paperwork to secure the subsidy will be handled by our team, and your new heating cushions can be installed promptly.
Interested? Visit contact with us for free patio advice or request more information on the available subsidy for clean patio heating in The Hague.
For residents and entrepreneurs, participating in this transition means not only supporting the city's sustainability efforts, but also contributing to a healthier and more environmentally friendly urban environment. The Hague's leadership in this area serves as an example for other cities seeking to reduce their ecological footprint and promote sustainable living. Apply for your grant now.
Moving Forward in Den Haag
The Hague's initiative to switch to clean heating for terraces demonstrates its commitment to sustainability. By embracing cleaner technologies and encouraging civic participation, the city is paving the way for a greener future. For more detailed information and updates on The Hague's sustainability efforts, visit the city's official website here.
