Energy efficiency

Companies that have developed innovative and sustainable technologies for the renovation of existing buildings can still apply for the "German Renovation Award". The technologies must be designed in such a way that they meet the EU climate targets for the renovation of existing buildings. Companies can present their ideas on Friday, August 26, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the "1st German...

The association Wohnen im Eigentum (WiE) is calling for legal simplifications for the supply of electricity to condominiums. WiE has two specific concerns in this regard. Firstly, homeowners' associations (WEG) should be defined as "self-suppliers". Secondly, there should be an obligation to purchase self-generated solar power for all residents of a WEG. With regard to the first point...

The "Real Green Award" from the German Energy Efficiency Initiative for Businesses (DENEFF) was recently presented to several companies that are already building residential and non-residential buildings in a climate-neutral way or are creating corresponding strategies for this. The award was presented in two categories: the "Real Green Award" for "Ambitious Corporate Approaches" and the "Performance...

The Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR), in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart, provides information on the measures that can protect residential buildings in Germany from extreme weather events such as flooding, hail and storms. In the brochure "Climate-adapted buildings and properties - recommendations for planners, architects and property owners", the BBSR...

Renate Sachse recently received the €10,000 Bertha Benz Prize from the Daimler and Benz Foundation for her dissertation "Variational Motion Design for Adaptive Structures" (Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Stuttgart). In her dissertation, she presents a mathematical method that can be used not only by those responsible in the construction industry, but also...

Together with citizens in 338 cities and municipalities, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has submitted applications for a filter obligation for new wood-burning stoves and an obligation to retrofit old wood-burning stoves. Particularly in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Bonn and Freiburg, DUH criticizes the excessive fine dust pollution caused by wood firing. Due to the war in Ukraine, more and more people are currently...

Landlords of retail properties are reluctant to invest in energy-saving measures. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of the study "Energy efficiency measures for tenants in the retail sector", published by adelphi and the climate protection offensive of the retail sector. The reason for this is a so-called tenant-landlord dilemma. This describes the fact that the tenants responsible for implementing the...

In a four-part series, the energy advice service of the consumer advice center informs private individuals about how they can save energy. In part 1, consumers learn how they can "optimize heating". Part 2 deals with how energy can be saved through "Cost-effective measures that you can do yourself". In Part 3, private individuals learn more about how to "Save hot water"...

Building owners who value sustainability should look for test certificates for building materials. The Association of Private Builders (VPB) advises this. Certified recycled concrete, for example, can effectively reduce gravel extraction and carbon dioxide emissions. According to the VPB, builders can also contribute to sustainability if they ensure that as few different and good materials as possible are used.

Owners who buy or inherit a detached or semi-detached house must implement energy standards. The energy advice service of the consumer advice center points this out. The requirements that apply to residential buildings with regard to energy efficiency are regulated in the Building Energy Act (GEG). According to energy advice, the property must meet the requirements of the GEG within two years. So...