Saving energy is trendy. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that electricity is becoming more and more expensive and, on the other hand, environmental protection is becoming increasingly important. In order to lower the energy requirement of a house, one must first know exactly how high the requirement is at the moment and what exactly it means. A basic distinction is made between energy demand and energy consumption. This distinction is very important and one should not confuse the two values. Let’s take a closer look. To see decoration with painter fleece, please check listofledlights.
The difference between energy demand and energy consumption
The energy requirement quantifies a previously estimated or calculated amount of energy. Energy consumption, on the other hand, refers to an amount of energy that is measured afterwards. A needs-oriented energy certificate, which has been required by law since May 1, 2014, when selling or renting a property, precisely quantifies the energy requirements of a building.
An average value is determined for consumption, which results from the actual energy consumption of the last three years. Calculating the energy requirements of a house works a little differently: The energetic quality of the outer walls and the roof as well as the technical systems such as the boiler are checked and a value is determined from this, which quantifies the energy requirements to be expected in the future. In this way, weaknesses in the energy quality of the property are revealed and starting points for sensible modernization measures are identified.
Energy Saving Ordinance 2014: an overview
A large part of the public and private buildings in Germany were built before 1979 and thus at a time when energy efficiency was hardly an issue at all. As a result, the majority of these houses are in poor energy condition.
The Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) 2014 stipulates that oil or natural gas-powered devices that were installed before October 1, 1978 must be replaced with modern ones in order to reduce energy requirements. In these older buildings, oil consumption can be around 25 liters per square meter: a value that is well into the red – and therefore inefficient – area of the color scale on the energy requirement certificate. This consumption puts a strain on both the environment and the residents’ wallets.
When it comes to the question of an energy-efficient home, individual needs should always be considered. So that the builder or modernizer can be sure that his building meets the strict requirements of the EnEV 2014, the specialist companies carrying out the work must submit a written specialist company declaration to the house owner after the work has been completed.
The great savings potential: how you can reduce the energy requirements of your house
The energy requirement stated in the energy certificate refers to the energy required for heating and hot water preparation. If you want to reduce the energy requirements of your property from the outset, you should take a closer look at the following areas:
- Renew the heating system: With a new heating system, the energy demand can be greatly reduced. If you replace a technically outdated heating system with a modern, energy-efficient oil condensing boiler or a natural gas condensing boiler, for example, you are on the safe side in terms of energy.
- Renew thermal insulation: Thermal insulation offers many opportunities for saving energy. Depending on the age of the house, external insulation can prevent significant heat loss. Modern heat-insulating bricks repel cold and heat twice as well as wood. In the case of walls made of concrete or heavy bricks, the additional insulation applied determines the heat protection.
- Replace windows: Although windows must be air-permeable when closed, they should still be well and adequately insulated in order to significantly reduce energy consumption. If too much heat escapes, it is advisable to install new windows. Attention: It is not easy to replace the windows, especially in listed properties. It is therefore essential to clarify beforehand to what extent this is permissible.
- Improve ventilation: Heat loss from a house can be reduced by efficient ventilation. For cross-ventilation, windows and doors opposite should be opened if possible. Short bursts of ventilation are more effective than a longer draft.
- Install a photovoltaic system: A solar system on the roof can provide support not only in the case of high energy consumption. The costs for hot water treatment in particular can be significantly reduced as a result. Another advantage: The acquisition costs of a solar system or a balcony power plant have fallen significantly in recent years.
A modernized house with a new heating system, new windows and optimized insulation on the facade and roof has an annual requirement of 120 kWh/sqm. That means a need of about 12 liters of oil per square meter per year and thus a value that is in the green area of the color scale of the requirement card.
All in all, good modernization of real estate would reduce energy requirements by up to 70 percent. This would not only benefit the environment, but also the wallets of tenants and house and apartment owners.
