Households receiving basic income support or citizens' allowance in old age spend more money per month on heating and electricity than comparable households with low incomes. This is the result of a recently published study by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin). Between 2010 and 2019, the affected households paid an average of €5.30 more per month for heating and...

The winners of the "Häuser-Awards 2023" of the architecture magazine "Häuser" for individual solutions in existing buildings have been announced. First place goes to Berlin architect Thomas Kröger (Thomas Kröger Architekten) for the "Haus in den Söllen" in the Uckermark - a country house with a rendered façade. Second place goes to the DMVA office from Mechelen for the "Haus PVO" in the...

Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), the energy transition can be realized more easily. In addition, AI agents will be able to automate complex control processes that are currently still difficult for humans and technology to manage. These are the findings of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology IEE. In a three-year research program...

The agreement of reservation fees in the general terms and conditions of real estate agents is invalid. This was recently decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH). The decision also applies to cases in which the reservation fee is not included in the original brokerage contract but was agreed separately at a later date. Customers can therefore claim the reservation fee paid...

Babies become mobile in their first year of life and begin to explore their surroundings. It is therefore important to make the nursery and home childproof in good time. According to the German Furniture Quality Association (DGM), parents can look out for the RAL "Golden M" quality mark when buying furniture. This ensures that the furniture is child-safe and tested for harmful substances. To avoid the risk of injury...

There is a shortage of around 2.2 million age-appropriate apartments in Germany. According to consistent media reports, this is the result of a study conducted by the Pestel Institute on behalf of the Bundesverband Deutscher Baustoff-Fachhandel. Only around 600,000 of the 2.8 million senior households are currently age-appropriate. However, the institute predicts that by 2040 at least 3.3 million...

Colored photovoltaic modules can now not only be a visual highlight, but also offer high efficiency. To this end, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a new technology, MorphoColor® technology. This makes it possible to color PV modules in different colors without significantly reducing the efficiency of the module, as was previously the case.

From January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be powered by at least 65% renewable energy. This mandatory switch to renewable energies will also be enshrined in law in a new Building Energy Act. In this context, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) points out various funding opportunities. If private owners...

A creditor can extinguish a landowner's right of residence if the landowner is insolvent. This was recently decided by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH, V ZB 64/21). In the case in question, a property owner of a developed plot of land contributed it to a civil law partnership (GbR). The GbR was in turn entered in the land register and an entry of the...

Accessories and plants can create a homely atmosphere in a kitchen. Volker Irle, Managing Director of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche (AMK), points this out. For example, cookbooks, memorabilia and bottles of wine, oil or vinegar can be placed on open shelving systems to create a decorative effect. For example, lettering with a reference to the kitchen can be used to decorate the kitchen walls.