Energy Conservation Ordinance (EnEV)

Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) - The Energy Saving Ordinance is the colloquial term for the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), which governed energy efficiency standards for buildings in Germany from 2002 to 2020. The regulation established minimum requirements for thermal insulation, building services, and energy performance certificates for residential and non-residential buildings. As of November 1, 2020, the EnEV was replaced by the Building Energy Act (GEG), which continues and supplements the key provisions of the Energy Saving Ordinance.

Key Provisions of the Energy Saving Ordinance

In its various versions (2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2014), the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) regulated three central areas:

1. Requirements for annual primary energy demand:

• New buildings had to comply with a specific maximum annual primary energy demand
• This was compared to a calculated reference building
• The more recent the version of the EnEV, the stricter the requirements (from EnEV 2002 to EnEV 2014, a tightening of approximately 30%)

2. Requirements for structural thermal insulation (U-values): Minimum requirements for the thermal insulation of individual building components:

Component	Max. U-value (EnEV 2014 new construction)
Exterior wall	0.28 W/(m²·K)
Roof/ceiling	0.20 W/(m²·K)
Windows	1.30 W/(m²·K)
Basement ceiling	0.35 W/(m²·K)

3. Energy Performance Certificate Requirement:

• Phased in for all buildings starting in 2008
• Must be presented upon sale or rental
• Must be included in real estate listings (as of EnEV 2014)
• Validity period: 10 years

Retrofit requirements for existing buildings

The EnEV contained not only requirements for new buildings but also specific retrofit requirements for existing buildings, which are continued in the GEG:

• Boilers: Constant-temperature boilers installed before January 1, 1985, and older than 30 years had to be replaced. This requirement remains unchanged under the GEG.
• Top floor ceiling: Accessible but non-walkable top floor ceilings leading to unheated attic spaces had to be insulated. This requirement remains in effect under the GEG.
• Hot water pipes: Uninsulated hot water pipes in heated rooms had to be insulated.

These requirements remain in effect for owners to this day-anyone purchasing a building constructed before the EnEV should therefore verify whether the retrofitting requirements have already been met. A lack of proof can lead to problems during a sale and must be disclosed to the buyer.

Transition to the Building Energy Act (GEG)

The Building Energy Act (GEG) replaced the EnEV in 2020 and introduced the following changes:

• Consolidation of the EnEV, the Energy Conservation Act (EnEG), and the Renewable Energy Heat Act into a single law
• Higher requirements for the primary energy demand of new buildings
• Renewable energies: New buildings must use a certain proportion of renewable energies
• Renovation roadmap: Option to create an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP) with bonus funding
• Heating Act 2024: Starting in 2024, new heating systems must use at least 65% renewable energy (phased introduction, linked to municipal heat planning)

Practical Tip for Property Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

Many buildings in the greater Nuremberg area were built before the first Energy Saving Ordinance (prior to 2002) and do not meet its minimum requirements. Anyone renovating such a building must comply with the current GEG requirements-for comprehensive renovations, the GEG new construction standards serve as the target. We recommend clarifying the GEG requirements with an energy consultant before undertaking major renovation or remodeling projects.

The energy consulting service of the Bavarian Consumer Advice Center and the Office for Energy and Climate Protection of the City of Nuremberg can assist with this. Certified energy consultants can be found on the federal list maintained by the German Energy Agency (dena)-only energy performance certificates and iSFP documents issued by these recognized experts qualify for state subsidies. Anyone purchasing a building constructed under the EnEV should carefully review the existing energy performance certificate and, if necessary, commission a new audit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Energy Saving Ordinance still apply to existing buildings?

The EnEV itself has been repealed since November 2020. The requirements of the GEG now apply to existing buildings, particularly for renovation measures (e.g., window replacement, roof renovation). Existing heating requirements from the EnEV (e.g., the obligation to replace oil-fired boilers) have been incorporated into the GEG.

Does a house built before 2002 have to be retrofitted to the EnEV standard?

There is no general obligation to retrofit to the EnEV standard. However, there are obligations regarding certain building components (e.g., roof insulation for accessible attics, age of the boiler). Anyone who renovates voluntarily must meet the GEG requirements for the renovated component.

What does the EnEV mean for real estate sales today?

Even though the EnEV no longer applies, its basic principles are carried forward in the GEG. The seller must still provide a valid energy performance certificate, state the energy efficiency class in the listing, and disclose any significant energy-related defects. A violation can result in fines of up to 15,000 euros.

What energy efficiency class should a house have when it is sold?

There is no legal minimum requirement for the energy efficiency class when selling a property. In practice, however, poor ratings (F, G, H) have a significant impact on the achievable price: buyers factor in expected renovation costs. In the Nuremberg metropolitan area, we see that well-renovated properties in classes A through C can command price premiums of 10-20% compared to unrenovated homes in classes F and G.

How does the 2024 GEG Heating Act affect property owners in Nuremberg?

The Heating Act, introduced as part of the 2024 GEG amendment, mandates the installation of heating systems that use at least 65 percent renewable energy-though initially only for new installations and in municipalities that have already submitted a municipal heating plan. As a major city with more than 100,000 residents, Nuremberg is required to submit its municipal heat plan by the end of 2026. Until this plan is published, transitional regulations apply to existing property owners in Nuremberg: An old gas or oil heating system can be repaired and continued to be operated; a complete replacement with a similar system is still possible until the deadline. However, those who choose to invest voluntarily now should opt only for heat pumps, pellet heating systems, or connections to the district heating network to avoid future retrofitting costs. The City of Nuremberg’s Office for Energy and Climate Protection provides information on the progress of municipal heat planning and advises property owners in their decision-making.

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