The Building Energy Act (GEG) is an important law in Germany that regulates the energy requirements for buildings and thus makes a significant contribution to sustainable energy use and climate protection. Aiming to reduce energy consumption in buildings and promote the use of renewable energies, the GEG sets clear standards for new buildings and renovation measures.
In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the Building Energy Act and explain how it contributes to a green and sustainable future.
Table of contents
- The Building Energy Act – What is it?
- Goals and Purpose of the GEG
-
Energy Requirements for New Buildings
- 3.1 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV)
- 3.2 Renewable Energies in New Construction
- Renovation Measures and Energy Requirements
- Energy Certificate: Transparency for Consumers
- Funding and Incentives for Energy Measures
- Criticism and Challenges of the GEG
- Outlook on the Future of the Energy Transition in the Building Sector
- Conclusion
1. The Building Energy Act – What is it?
The Building Energy Act (GEG) is a German federal law that came into force on November 1, 2020. It is the consolidation and further development of the previously applicable Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), the Energy Saving Act (EnEG), and the Renewable Energy Heat Act (EEWärmeG). By integrating these laws into the GEG, a uniform and clearer regulation for energy consumption and the energy characteristics of buildings is created.
2. Goals and Purpose of the GEG
The main goal of the GEG is to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the building sector. It aims to contribute to achieving Germany's climate protection goals and advancing the energy transition. By promoting energy-efficient construction and renovation measures, the building sector is to make an active contribution to climate protection.
The GEG pursues the following goals:
- The increase in energy efficiency of buildings, particularly through requirements for primary energy demand and transmission heat loss.
- The increased use of renewable energies in the building sector, for example through the use of solar energy or biomass.
- The improvement of energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems as well as hot water preparation in buildings.
- The promotion of energy renovation measures for existing buildings to improve the building stock in the long term and reduce energy consumption.
3. Energy Requirements for New Buildings
3.1 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV)
The Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) is an important component of the GEG and sets the energy requirements for new buildings. It defines limits for the annual primary energy demand and the transmission heat loss. These must be adhered to by new buildings in order to obtain a permit.
3.2 Renewable Energies in New Construction
The GEG stipulates that a portion of the energy demand of new buildings must be covered by renewable energies. The use of environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar energy, geothermal energy, or biomass is to be promoted.
4. Renovation measures and energy requirements
The GEG regulates not only new construction but also sets energy requirements for renovation measures on existing buildings. For larger renovation projects, certain energy standards must be met to achieve high energy efficiency and a reduction in CO2 emissions.
5. Energy certificate: Transparency for consumers
The energy certificate is an important component of the GEG and serves to provide transparency for consumers. It provides information about the energy quality of a building and informs about energy consumption and energy efficiency.
When selling or renting buildings, the energy certificate must be presented to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy characteristics.
6. Funding and incentives for energy measures
The GEG provides various funding and incentives for energy measures. This includes, for example, government grants for the use of renewable energies, tax benefits for energy-efficient renovation measures, or low-interest loans for the construction of energy-efficient buildings. These incentives are intended to encourage builders and owners to invest in sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.
7. Criticism and challenges of the GEG
The GEG is an important step towards climate protection and sustainable energy use, but it also faces challenges. Critics point out, for example, that the energy requirements are not yet sufficiently ambitious and that further measures are necessary to achieve climate goals.
In addition, there is discussion about whether the GEG should provide more incentives for the use of renewable energies to further reduce the share of fossil energy sources.
8. Outlook on the future of the energy transition in the building sector
The Building Energy Act is an important building block of the German energy transition and significantly contributes to making the building sector more sustainable and energy-efficient. By promoting energy measures and increasing the use of renewable energies, the path to a green future is paved.
However, continuous development and adaptation of the GEG is necessary to meet the challenges of climate protection and to successfully advance the energy transition in the building sector.
Conclusion
The Building Energy Act is an important instrument for sustainable energy use and climate protection. By setting energy requirements for buildings and promoting renewable energies and energy renovation measures, it makes a significant contribution to the energy transition in Germany.
However, continuous development and adaptation of the GEG is necessary for successful implementation in order to meet the increasing demands for climate protection and to shape a green future.
