Energy efficiency

The energy efficiency class of a property has a significant impact on its market value. For example, houses with the highest energy efficiency class A+ are on average 25 percent more expensive than those with the lowest energy efficiency class H. This trend is also reflected in apartments: properties with class A+ achieve a premium of 25 percent compared to those with energy efficiency class D.

The Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Construction, Klara Geywitz, has emphasized the importance of the vote on the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in the European Parliament. With this decision, Europe is taking a major step towards a more environmentally friendly building sector. The aim is to reduce primary energy consumption in existing residential buildings and thus achieve a...

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has removed around a third of the 550 questions previously included in its energy monitoring. One of the reasons for this is a "reduction in bureaucracy". There are deletions in each of the ten questionnaires. The "Energy and Construction" team of the German Federation of Consumer Advice Centres and Consumer Associations (vzbv) criticizes this development because it...

People with a regular income may also be able to claim social benefits for high heating costs. On the one hand, this assistance is possible if an independent contract has been concluded with a gas supplier. On the other hand, they can also be applied for if the costs are settled with the landlord through the utility bill. The consumer advice center points this out...

The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) is receiving funding of around 4.3 million euros from the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg. This budget is earmarked for measures to increase energy efficiency and to secure research operations under the current energy challenges. The funding will be used for structural...

Renewable energies achieved a record share of 59.7% (260.68 terawatt hours) of net public electricity generation in Germany in 2023. Electricity generation from fossil fuels amounted to 38.8 percent (169.38 TWh) and 1.5 percent (6.72 TWh) of the electricity generated came from nuclear energy. This is according to a publication by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems...

The increase in CO2 prices from 2027 would mean an additional burden for 18.6 million households in Germany. This would be the case even if a so-called "climate money" were to be introduced. This is the result of a study by the IMK of the Hans Böckler Foundation. Among those affected are middle-income owners who own older properties in rural areas. The reason for this is that...

KfW offers subsidies for the installation of climate-friendly heating systems in private residential properties. Interested parties can find out about the requirements and details on the KfW website and register in the customer portal from Thursday, February 1, to apply for funding. From the end of February (probably Tuesday, February 27), owners of single-family homes will be able to apply for...

From 2024, the Building Energy Act (GEG) will require the use of renewable energies for new heating systems, with hydrogen being considered as a possible alternative to natural gas. Despite the compatibility of hydrogen with existing heating technologies and gas networks, there are currently no heating systems that can be operated exclusively with hydrogen. The energy consultancy of the...

The "Energetic Neighborhood Quarter Fliegerhorst Oldenburg" (ENaQ) has won the ODH-Quartier Award 2023 in the "Integration" category. The project, led by the Oldenburg information technology institute OFFIS, has been recognized for its progressive energy concept in the Helleheide residential district.ENaQ is characterized by modern technologies such as PV systems, heat pumps and electrical and...