Energy efficiency

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...

Trainees and students can also receive the heating allowance. This was recently decided by the cabinet. In a FAQ, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) now outlines the requirements they must fulfill. Trainees who have received a vocational training allowance or training allowance and no longer live with their parents will automatically receive the...

The GdW Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies and the energy services group Getec are offering a "Heating Check Online" for housing companies. The aim of the heating check is to increase system efficiency, lower energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. The heating check comprises four steps. Step 1 involves an inspection of the system and the...

Waterbeds are equipped with integrated heaters. On the one hand, this provides the necessary warmth. On the other hand, this heat ensures that perspiration evaporates. However, waterbeds also give off heat to the room through the integrated heaters. This is particularly the case when it is cool in the bedroom. The Saarland consumer advice center advises using a waterbed for a week in winter.

In order to improve climate protection, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is planning to implement various immediate measures in the near future. There are to be innovations with regard to the EEG amendment, solar energy, wind energy, the electricity price, climate protection contracts with industry, the heating strategy, building standards and subsidies and hydrogen energy, among other things. Planned...

The North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center has summarized in a press release what will change in 2022 in terms of energy, the environment and housing. Among other things, consumers will have to expect higher heating costs. This is due to the CO2 price, which has risen from 25 euros per tonne to 30 euros per tonne of CO2. On the other hand, consumers will be able to...