Energy certificate for new buildings and existing buildings; information

The energy performance certificate provides information about the energy efficiency of a building (residential or non-residential). It is intended to create greater transparency in the real estate market and provide additional incentives to more fully realize the significant energy-saving potential that exists in the existing building stock. Energy-efficiency upgrades and renovations can not only significantly reduce heating costs but also make a major contribution to climate protection.

The Building Modernization Act (GModEG)—formerly the Building Energy Act (GEG) and the Energy Conservation Ordinance (EnEV)—generally provides for two types of energy performance certificates for existing buildings: the energy demand certificate and the energy consumption certificate. Which one must be issued depends on the building’s use, its usable floor area or the number of apartments, the date the building permit application was filed, and the building’s energy efficiency.

Energy performance certificates must be registered with the German Institute for Building Technology and are valid for ten years (Section 79(3) GModG). After that, they must be reissued. Energy performance certificates also lose their validity if a building undergoes major modernization or expansion and, in the process, documentation of the total primary energy demand is provided.

Pursuant to Section 88(1) of the GModG, only a person who

• is authorized, under the building codes of the federal states, to sign technical certifications regarding thermal insulation or energy conservation in the construction of buildings, within the scope of the respective authorization to issue such certifications (Section 88(1)(1) GModG),
• has earned a professional degree from a university in one of the following fields: architecture, interior design, structural engineering, civil engineering, building services engineering, physics, building physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or another technical or scientific discipline with a focus on the aforementioned fields (Section 88(1)(2) of the German Act on the Qualification of Architects (GModG)),
• meets the requirements for registration in the craft trade register for a construction, finishing, or building services trade requiring a license, or for the chimney sweep trade (“fields”); or, for a trade in the aforementioned fields, or, based on their training, is authorized to independently practice a trade requiring a license in one of the above-mentioned fields without a master craftsman’s certificate (Section 88(1)(3) GModG),
• is a state-certified or state-examined technician whose training also focuses on the assessment of the building envelope, the assessment of heating and hot-water systems, or the assessment of ventilation and air-conditioning systems (Section 88(1)(4) GModG); or
• is authorized, in accordance with the regulations of the states, to issue the certificate of compliance pursuant to § 92 GModG (§ 88(1)(5) GModG).

An additional requirement for authorization to issue certificates under § 88(1)(2) through (4) of the GModG is an additional qualification under § 88(2) of the GModG, specifically (exhaustive list):

• a specialization in energy-efficient construction or at least two years of professional experience in key areas of building construction or building services engineering,
• successful training in energy-efficient construction in accordance with Annex 11 of the GModG, with different qualifications for residential and nonresidential buildings, or
• public appointment as a sworn expert.

In addition, Section 113 of the GModG contains transitional provisions for issuers of energy performance certificates.

You can find more information on the energy performance certificate under "Further links".

The district administrative authorities and local building inspection agencies in Bavaria answer general questions about energy-efficient renovations and certified energy consultants in the area.

• Act on Energy Conservation and the Modernization of Heating Systems in Buildings (Building Modernization Act, GModG)
• Regulation on the Implementation of Energy Industry Regulations (AVEn)

• Buildings and energy
• Legal Framework on Buildings and Energy

  On the pages of the Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building and Transport, the focus is on "Buildings + Energy" - both for new construction and modernization.

• Inspection body pursuant to the GEG/GModG at the Bavarian Chamber of Civil Engineers
• Search for Energy Consultants and Information on Energy Consulting