Energy efficiency

Heating in Germany has become more expensive due to the CO2 tax, which has been levied since 2021. Until now, tenants have had to bear the additional costs alone. However, this is set to change on January 1, 2023. The CO2 tax is then to be split between tenants and landlords. To this end, the German government recently agreed on a phased model for residential buildings. According to...

The GDW Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies recently published various tips on the subject of "saving energy" to mark the current situation. These include lowering the room temperature. According to the association, temperatures of 20 to 22 degrees are sufficient during the heating period. If the apartment is aired, the heating should be turned off beforehand to reduce energy costs.

A technology for optimizing solar systems is the goal of the Dig4morE joint project, which includes the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg and the photovoltaic companies Sunsniffer, Aquila Capital and Sunset Energietechnik. The project partners want to use artificial intelligence to develop a methodology that suggests optimization measures for solar installations. Thanks to the...

The United Income Tax Association points out that - in view of the rise in energy costs - it can be worthwhile investing in renovation measures using renewable energies in your own home. Owners can claim up to 20 percent of the costs and up to 40,000 euros in tax relief for energy-efficient refurbishment measures. This is regulated in paragraph 35c, section 1 of the...

The Ethouse Award 2022 from the ARGE Quality Group for Thermal Insulation Systems (QG WDS) was recently presented in Vienna. This prize is awarded to those responsible for holistically realizing the topic of energy efficiency with regard to renovations and setting architectural impulses with a thermal insulation system. The prizes in the categories "Public Buildings", "Residential Buildings with...

The German Property Federation (ZIA) has presented a position paper with proposals for the realignment of federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG). According to the ZIA, the funding system should be consistently geared towards CO2 savings, among other things. In addition, the expansion of renewable energies in Germany should be increased. Furthermore, the ZIA is calling for a new...

How can employees save energy when working from home? The Consumer Advice Center for Energy is looking into this question. It points out that, according to estimates, electricity consumption can increase by around five percent due to the regular use of laptops, desk lamps and electric stoves, among other things. The additional costs amount to around 30 cents to 1 euro per day. In addition...

Together with the Thuringian Housing Association (VWT), planners have developed a concept for the energy-efficient refurbishment of mass-produced residential buildings from the 1980s. This is being tested in a prefabricated GDR building owned by the Stadtroda housing association in Stadtroda, a small town in Thuringia. Among other things, the GDR panel building is to receive a new type of heat exchanger by 2023....

Owners and tenants can reduce their heating costs by taking various measures. This is now pointed out by the VdZ - Forum for Energy Efficiency in Building Technology. For example, they can lower the room temperature slightly. For every degree lowered, around six percent of energy can be saved. In addition, the radiators should not be set to the highest level, as this can cause rooms to...

Due to the rise in energy prices, the Heat+ initiative advises owners to renovate their homes to make them more energy efficient. This has several advantages: The energy efficiency of the property can be increased and costs can be reduced. Owners also make a contribution to environmental and climate protection. One of the measures the Initiative Wärme+ advises owners to take is to heat with...