News

Owners of self-occupied single-family homes can now apply for subsidies when installing a new heating system. Further information can be found at the » KfW website (external link, German) on program 458.

Applications for owners of self-occupied multifamily homes (owner uses all flats himself or all flats are used by their respective owners) will be available in May. For rented flats landlords can apply for subisidies starting in August.

The combination of heating exchange (BEG EM 5.3) and optimization of the heating system (BEG EM 5.4) is not possible any more. Depending on age and type of your system various scenarios are possible to achieve the best financial support. I will gladly support you to find the best solution for your case.

The topic of Baubegleitung (support by the Energieberater) for exchange of the heating system still needs to be clarified. The guideline explicitly permits Baubegleitung, subsidising it with 50% and granting it an extra budget, also for exchange of the heating system. But the budget for Baubegleitung is allocated to BAFA, while the heating system is subsidised by KfW. Therefore there is still some confusion regarding the proper way of application for the additional support.

27.02.2024

The guidelines have been updated. There are several changes compared to last year. The main information can be found below:

For Einzelmaßnahmen (single measures) on the building envelope and non-heating technology subsidy rates remain at 15 % + 5 % iSFP-Bonus, if the step is described in Sanierungsfahrplan. The maximum eligible costs are 30.000 € per year and housing unit, with Sanierungsfahrplan 60.000 € per year and unit. The cap of 600.000 € per building has been cancelled.

Heating and optimization of heating will be handled by KfW instead of BAFA. The system has become rather complex, as it now distinguishes between self-used flats (only first seat of residence) and other flats. I have created a » calculator (DE) which gives information on the most typical cases. Not all sepcial rules and exceptions have been included so far. In case of a detailed project please send me an email. Applications for subsidies for self-used one-family houses shall be possible from mid/end of February, for other buildings later this year. Until 31.08.24 projects for heating and heating optimization may be started without prior application at own risk. The application must be handed in until 30.11.24. For all other steps (envelope, other technologies) the application must be handed in first! The subsidies for heating are not included in the 30.000 or 60.000 € for other steps.
Applications must now be based on a contract with a company. The contract shall include a delaying/cancelling paragraph in case the subsidies are not granted. A standard text has not been published yet. Furthermore the date of execution must be included in the contract. The maximum execution time is now 36 months, starting from grant of subsidies (was 24 months previously). Extensions are not possible anymore (used to be 2x 12 months).

06.01.2024

German TV station NDR has broadcasted a report on heat pumps and heat supply to buildings in general. The show is available at the » NDR Mediathek (externer Link) until December 2025.

12.12.2023

After donating to » atmosfair (external link) last week for projects to reduce CO₂ emissions, I was wondering about the CO₂ footprint of my job as Energieberater. So I tried to gather data for devices, mobility, office equipment, power and heat etc. on the internet. Some data is available, for other items there are only estimations. I have not included external factors like maintenance of public infrastructure.

The major share of 650 kg CO₂ is caused by production and transport of new electrical devices (laptop, screen, printer, router, mobile phone). The second largest share (350 kg) is caused by mobility (fuel, share of production, maintenance, disposal of compact car). Further sources are power (electricity, heating, and data transfer) as well as consumables (paper, envelopes, toner, usb-sticks etc.)

As numbers are partially estimated and some minor items have been neglected, I add another 25% to the sum to a total of 1.500 kg CO₂.


11.12.2023

As the year will end in a few weeks, I have donated to » atmosfair (external link). The money will be used to finance projects in developing countries to reduce CO₂ emissions. The projects are evaluated externally to quantify the actual effect.


06.12.2023

     
The » Parents for Future (external link, German) invite to their "Klimatag" (climate day) next Saturday (26.08.) in Bornheim:

Many organsations of Bornheim and around present a colourful market of ideas on climate and ambient protection. From clean up to Energieberatung, from beekeeping to solar cooking. There will be plenty of inspiration and activities for adults and kids. Surely you will find someone like-minded for your topic!
(translation of the German invitation by Parents for Future)

21.08.2023

As the new season starts, the juniors (born 2016) of » TB Witterschlick (external link) received new jackets. I am happy I could support the purchase by sponsoring. Thanks a lot to the volunteer trainers for their great work with the kids.

13.08.2023

Jörg Münchenberg of Deutschlandfunk discussed the upcoming reform of the GEG (Gebäudeenergiegesetz - building energy law) with Veronika Grimm, professor of economics and member of the German Council of Economic Experts ("Wirtschaftsweise"). Another topic was the developments of the German energy market. The interview can be found on the » website of Deutschlandfunk (external link).

01.07.2023

Update 22.06.

Today I have received the final information on the future process.

With acceptance by the Energieberater it will be possible to hand over the right to subsidies to him. I have chosen to proceed in this way. That means the customer can authorise BAFA to pay the subsidies directly to me. In return I will not ask for the subsidies in the invoice. So everything remains as is. But starting 01.07. I will require two additional signatures, to apply for subsidies in your name, and to have the subsidies paid directly to me.

Original information of 16.06.

The BAFA has published first information on its website regarding changes on the subsidising of Energieberatung für Wohngebäude, coming to force on July 1st. The directive shall be published in the Bundesanzeiger in calender week 25. Any application for subsidies until June 30th are not subject to the changes.

Until now the subsidising process was as follows: I applied for subsidies and did the Energieberatung, after receiving the confirmation. After finishing the Energieberatung I sent an invoice for his share to the customer and uploaded all necessary documents to BAFA. I would then receive the subsidies some months later.

The new process shall be smilar to the subisdising of Energieberatung für Nichtwohngebäude (for non-housing buidlings). There the customer must apply for the subsidies (or can be represented by me, though the process has not been published yet). The subsidies are paid to the customer, when the Energieberatung is finished. This requires a payment confirmation of the full cost, which means the customer will have to pay first and then wait for the subsidies. There would be no possibility for me to charge two invoices (20% directly, 80% after receiving the subsidies).

Once the directive has been pusblished, I will update this message and present the real process. Alternatively, I will gladly accept your order before June 30th, which will then be handled according to the current process.

The full announcement can be found on the German » website of BAFA (external link)

16.06.2023