Join our network. Make change happen.Germany: Country Profile
Code Development
| Summary |
Summary
Germany has had building energy efficiency requirements since 1977. The first performance-based code, the Ordinance on Energy Saving in Buildings (EnEv) was introduced following the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in 2002. The 2009 revision reduced maximum U-values based on different climate zones, required computer simulation for compliance, and introduced requirements for testing air-tightness, and boiler and HVAC performance. The 2014 revision further raised energy efficiency standards in new buildings and introduced new regulations for owners of older buildings. |
| Start Year |
Exact Start Year
1 977
Start Year Range
< 1980
|
| Revision Schedule |
Yes, a revision schedule exists
Revision Schedule Explanation
The German government has committed to reducing the primary energy demand of buildings by 80% by 2050. Achieving this reduction will require foremost efficiency improvements, with a first milestone of a 20% reduction in heat demand levels by 2020. By 2020 buildings should be operating without fossil fuel. |
| Existing Code Coverage |
Commercial
Residential
|
| Stakeholder Engagement | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Best Practices |
New Buildings
Existing Buildings
|
Code Implementation - Compliance & Enforcement
| Administrative/Enforcement Structures |
Individual German states enforce the building energy codes. Enforcers could be only government offices, government and planner, government and a third party. Usually, the local government conducts checks if there is evidence that something might be wrong. This diagram also explains Germany’s complex requirements for existing buildings www.mgipu.hr/doc/06_Iproplan.pdf |
| Compliance Checking on Design |
Yes, compliance is checked on Design
|
| Compliance Checking on Construction | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Compliance Checking on Pre-Occupancy |
Yes, compliance is checked on Pre-Occupancy
|
| Air Tightness testingy |
Yes, Air Tightness is tested
|
| Commissioning before occupancy | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Commissioning after occupancy |
Yes, commissioning is happening after occupancy
|
| Compliance Software Residential |
Yes, commissioning is happening after occupancy
|
| Compliance Software Non-Residential | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Penalties for non-compliance |
Refusal Permission to construct
Refusal Permission to occupy
Other
Other penalties
Fines of between 5,000.00 euros and 50,000.00 euro
|
| Incentives and Recognition program for compliance |
Incentives and Recognition program for compliance
Finance/Loans/Ratings
The government-owned banking group Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) plays a central role concerning promotion of energy savings and CO2 reduction in the building sector. Between 1990 and the end of 2009 subsidies for at least 3.1 million homes were implemented. In 2009, total subsidies amounted to 16.9 billion, of which 10.6 billion was for energy efficiency and 6.3 billion for renewable energies. |
| Compliance Rate monitoringe |
Yes, it exists
|
| Compliance Rate Publicised | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Compliance Lessons Learned | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
| Compliance Energy Use Statistics |
Yes, it exists
Statistics on permitting and energy use measures are available in public national statistics. |
| Compliance Rate in % | NA, Check Country Information Sheet for details |
Capacity Building and Education
| Awareness Raising |
Awareness raising
Resourse kits
Compliance Training
Online resources -
Professional Curriculum
The German Energy Agency (Dena, Deutsche Energieagentur) is a “centre of expertise for energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and intelligent energy systems” (Dena). With regards to energy efficiency in buildings it organises campaigns, distributes information to the public, supports the building sector (architects or craftsmen) to work in line with current standards and regulations and develops standards and labels for efficiency. |
Building materials
| Building Materials Ratings |
Energy Performance Certificates
| EPC Implementation |
EPC Implementation
EPCs are referred to in codes -
Mandatory disclosure commercial -
Mandatory disclosure residential -
Building codes have incorporated EPCs to varying degrees since EnEV 2002. Germany introduced an independent control system in 2014. In Germany, states are responsible for checking the quality of EPCs, but it is not clear to what extent these checks effectively take place. The federal government also conducts some quality checks through the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). |
