24 April 2007 –This Wednesday, the German Cabinet will discuss a proposal for the introduction of an energy certificate for buildings as part of the implementation of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive. The so called Energie Einspar Verordnung (EnEV) will be introduced by the end of 2007 .  

The energy efficiency certificate or Energieausweis should reflect the building’s energy efficiency. This should provide the renter or the house owner with information on expected costs for room heating and warm water. Proper insulation could save 500 Euros per year in heating costs for a 83 square metre apartment. The certificate will be introduced stepwise over time for all existing buildings.

For new buildings, the energy efficiency certificate has an additional purpose, next to informing the inhabitants. The new house’s energy efficiency, as disclosed by the certificate, should be improved by 30% as compared to the current standard. According to Minister Tiefensee (Transport, Building and Urban Affairs) buildings account for 20% of national CO2 emissions in Germany.

The introduction of the Energieausweis was announced last Friday at the EU-G8 Conference in Berlin on Energy Efficiency. At the next G8 Summit at Heiligendamm, Germany hopes to set an example on energy efficiency. It wants to show that economic growth can be decoupled from increasing energy use, said Minister Glos (Economics and Technology).

More information:

German Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs: “Bundesregierung setzt auf bessere Energieeffizienz”