Energy efficiency

Effective insulation can contribute to climate protection and reduce energy costs. The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) points this out. In its campaign "Zukunft Zuhause - Nachhaltig sanieren" (Future at home - sustainable renovation), it emphasizes that proper insulation ensures greater living comfort and preserves the value of properties all year round. Energy-efficient refurbishment measures are used both in summer and winter.

In Germany, residential buildings account for almost a third of CO2 emissions, which is why energy-efficient renovations are increasingly being promoted. However, federal funding for efficient buildings is mainly aimed at owners, which leads to social inequalities. The German Tenants' Association and the Öko-Institut are calling for funding programs to focus more on social justice and...

Considerable progress has been made with regard to the energy efficiency of residential properties in Germany since 2014. In the eastern federal states in particular, extensive refurbishment measures since reunification have significantly increased energy efficiency. Improvements have also been made in the western federal states, particularly in urban and southern German regions. While...

Germany's potential for using solar energy on buildings is enormous, but still largely untapped. In 2023, 61.1 terawatt hours of solar power were produced. This corresponds to only twelve percent of national electricity consumption. According to the knowledge magazine "scinexx", if Germany's annual electricity requirements were to be covered by solar energy, the area of the island of Rügen - i.e. almost 1,000...

Chinese researchers from Wuhan University and Northeastern University in China have developed a new method for recycling end-of-life solar modules. It is a method that is both energy efficient and takes into account the increasing demand for sustainable recycling methods. The innovative process is based on the use of a molten mixture of sodium and sodium carbonate to...

The energy efficiency class of a building is decisive for its energy consumption and therefore influences both the environmental impact and the running costs. These classes range from A+ for very efficient buildings to H for the most energy-intensive. Classes A+ to B indicate new buildings with high standards such as passive houses. They are shown in green in the energy certificate, which indicates their...

Many balcony solar systems lose a lot of power in the shade. This is shown by a recent study by Stiftung Warentest. Of eight systems tested, none generated electricity when partially covered. Only one system achieved an overall rating of "good". There were problems not only with the performance under suboptimal conditions, but also with the inclination of the panels and the stability...

Turning waste into ecological cement and thus making production more environmentally friendly - this is what Trier University and several partners are researching. The project aims to use mining waste and industrial raw materials as a substitute for conventional Portland cement. This could significantly reduce CO₂ emissions during cement production. The...

To develop strategies against the challenges of climate change in urban areas, the Technische Universität Braunschweig has launched two new "Climate Future Labs" - the "Urban Climate Future Lab" and the future lab "Open Planning Cultures. Design Principles for Transformative Spaces". These future labs will develop innovative solutions for climate-friendly urban...

Heat pumps are gaining popularity as sustainable heating systems. They can often both heat and cool. However, Peter Kafke from the consumer advice center emphasizes that the heating function is often more important for the energy balance and costs than the cooling function. A high annual coefficient of performance (COP), which is the ratio of heat generated to electricity required, should therefore be aimed for.