Energy efficiency of buildings in Germany: regional differences and future challenges

Energy efficiency of buildings in Germany: regional differences and future challenges

study: Energy efficiency of residential properties has improved significantly since 2014, and great efforts to achieve the climate goals

The increase in energy and housing costs has been burdening households in Germany for years. At the same time, awareness of the requirements of climate protection in the country is growing. In order to counter this challenge, the building energy law was issued in 2020. The law aims to improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings and achieve the climate goals. A current study by Gewos and Immoscout24 has examined how the energy efficiency of residential properties has developed since 2014 and what potential in the different regions of Germany.

For this purpose, around 1.4 million housing offers have been analyzed since 2014. The results show that there have been considerable progress in the eastern federal states since reunification. The energy efficiency of the residential buildings there was significantly improved by extensive new construction, renovation and dismantling activities. However, there is still a need to catch up in the western federal states. However, progress has also been made there since 2014, especially in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and the metropolises as well as in parts of Lower Saxony and in the Rhineland.

The study shows that an energy -efficient housing stock is an essential prerequisite for achieving climate neutrality. Although a lot has been achieved in recent years, the need for modernization remains very high. In order to achieve the climate goals, great efforts are still required.

The study was carried out on the basis of around 1.4 million advertisements from 400 counties and cities. Information on the energy efficiency of the apartments was taken into account. In order to take regional differences into account, the data were weighted based on the 2011 census.

The results of the study should provide insights and decision-making bases for the housing and real estate industry, banks, building societies, insurance companies and the public sector. The Gewos Institute is an independent consulting and research institute that has been working in this area for over 50 years. The institute's experts develop tailor -made solutions and strategies for their customers.

The study shows that despite the progress in the energy efficiency of residential real estate, a lot of work has been imminent in recent years. In order to achieve the climate goals, further efforts have to be made in order to further modernize the housing stock and to improve energetically.