Attention: Energy-saving renovation is a must for new homeowners

The Building Energy Act does not distinguish whether the house was inherited or purchased. After a change of ownership, energy standards must be implemented.

Renovation obligation after purchasing or inheriting a house

The Building Energy Act (GEG) regulates which requirements residential buildings must meet with regard to energy efficiency. While owners who have lived in their house for a long time are currently exempt from many obligations, the requirement to bring the house into an appropriate energy condition applies when there is a change of ownership: the old building must meet the requirements of the Building Energy Act within two years.

Retrofitting obligations for heating and building envelopes

The GEG refers to the two areas of heating and building envelope.

For heating, gas or oil boilers that are more than 30 years old must be taken out of service.
It must also be ensured that heating and hot water pipes in unheated rooms are insulated. New heating systems should definitely use renewable energy to a large extent. With a few exceptions, oil boilers will no longer be allowed to be installed from 2026 onwards. With a view to climate change and rising prices, gas boilers are also becoming less attractive.

The state supports the switch to heating technologies that use renewable energy with up to 45 percent of the costs. These include heat pumps, biomass heating systems and local and district heating from renewable energy. Grants can be applied for from the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) before construction begins. Anyone who wants to finance the measures can apply for a KfW development loan with a repayment subsidy from their bank instead of a direct grant.

The second area of ​​renovation obligations under the GEG concerns the top floor ceiling. If there is currently no thermal insulation, the ceiling must be subsequently insulated.   

Failure to do so will cost twice as much

Violating the retrofitting obligations is not a good idea. It must be expected that in this case the energy consumption for heating and hot water will be too high. Given the high prices for heating energy, it is even recommended to do more than the law requires. In addition, fines must be expected if the regulations of the Building Energy Act are not met.

Always good advice with energy advice

Since building renovation measures involve high investments and subsidies, energy advice is always recommended before making a decision. Offers of energy advice from the consumer advice center and thematic help are available from the energy advice from the consumer advice center (HERE).

Basic information about energy-related renovations and funding can be found in the nationwide free online lectures from the consumer advice centers' energy advice. ( HERE )

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Source: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Consumer Center