Energy efficiency

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...

The BDEW Federal Association of the Energy and Water Industries is calling on those responsible to fill the so-called area tool (flaechentool.de) with life. The purpose of the area tool is to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. According to BDEW, federal, state and municipal properties as well as those of companies can be recorded in the area tool so that project developers can...

The Solar Decathlon Europe, according to the organizers the world's largest university competition for sustainable building and living, is being held in Germany for the first time. The event is also open to the general public: from Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 26, visitors can find out more about sustainable building and living, architecture and climate protection free of charge.

Interested parties have until Wednesday, June 8, to decide who will receive the "Blue Compass" public award for exemplary climate adaptation projects. Of the 240 applications received by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), 20 projects have been nominated. The federal "Blue Compass" award is being jointly organized this year for the first time by the...

Since May 1st, newly built houses in Baden-Württemberg must be equipped with solar roofs. The energy advice service of the consumer advice center points this out. Existing properties must be retrofitted from 2023 at the earliest. This so-called solar obligation will then also follow in other federal states. In Berlin and Hamburg, the installation of solar systems will be mandatory from...

Testing building automation and building management systems can ensure greater energy efficiency and save costs. This is the conclusion reached by TÜV Süd, which supports operators, owners and users in optimizing the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings. To this end, it offers a monitoring service that can be used to identify optimization potential or...

Specific support programs need to be strengthened so that low-income households can save on electricity costs. This is the conclusion of the ZEW policy brief published by the ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research in Mannheim and the University of Heidelberg, which is based on an empirical analysis of the "Electricity Saving Check". However, according to the ZEW, the funding programs should not...

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...