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German energy standard for new buildings

EnEV

ENEV

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) states that the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) is intended to contribute to the achievement of the energy policy aims of the German government – especially that of ensuring almost climate-neutral building stock by the year 2050.

SPECIFICATIONS

IN PLACE SINCE JANUARY 2014

The German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) contains specifications that entered into force on 1 January 2014 and were further tightened as of 1 January 2016.  This tightening of the specifications applies to building projects in which the client (in accordance with building regulations):

  • Submitted a building application after 1 January 2016.
  • Issued a building notification after 1 January 2016.
  • Commenced a building project (not subject to building approval or notification obligations) after 1 January 2016.

HIGHER BENCHMARK

SINCE 2016

The benchmark for the energy efficiency coefficients was raised as of 2016 in relation to residential buildings. The highest permissible annual primary energy demand was reduced by 25 % compared with the previous reference building. The same also applies for non-residential buildings.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR

NON-RESDIENTIAL BUILDINGS

In the case of residential buildings, the building shell must not lose more heat to the outside than the reference building. The situation for non-residential buildings is different, with outdoor components only permitted to let out around 80 % of the amount of heat stipulated in the specifications that were valid up to the end of 2015. The ordinance provides a detailed list of the heat protection requirements relating to individual outdoor components.