ᐅ Is It Still Practical to Build According to the 2009 Energy Saving Ordinance?

Since the beginning of the year, we have been searching for a nice building plot and a reliable construction company/developer in the Munich area. Due to the typical prices here (especially for land), we have already switched our focus from a detached house to a semi-detached house, which we could also live well with (we would prefer a semi-detached house in a good location rather than a detached house somewhere in a small village). After contacting about eight different companies (including consultation meetings and, in some cases, obtaining quotes), we had a conversation today with a contractor with whom we immediately felt comfortable. From the start, realistic prices and specifications were discussed, not just a “teaser” offer that was made to look better than it really is. We both feel that building with this contractor could be very low-stress. It is a smaller (but well-established) company, and the owner himself lives and works in a row house he built directly among his customers. Presumably, someone would not do that if they did not stand behind their work.

In principle, the house matches the offered specifications exactly, with only minor changes needing to be made.

However, one point caught my attention: The house is being built according to the 2009 Energy Saving Ordinance and not to KfW 70 standards. For example, only double glazing is used, and unfortunately there is no underfloor heating (gas with solar support). Underfloor heating would be possible for an additional cost (as well as triple-glazed windows).

What do you think? Is it still reasonable to build according to the 2009 Energy Saving Ordinance, or should it at least be a KfW 70 standard house?

Thank you for your help!

Well, how sensible can that really be???
The next energy saving regulation will surely not be far off (2-3 years?), and then KFW70 will probably become the minimum standard.
Personally, I wouldn’t build like that, but with a semi-detached house you also have to consider your neighbors. Does it actually save money with a semi-detached house???

Choosing the first builder you come across without comparing others is not advisable!

Hello,

naish1 schrieb:
However, I stumbled over one point: The house is being built only according to the Energy Saving Ordinance 2009 and not suitable for KfW 70 standards. For example, only double glazing is used, and unfortunately, there is no underfloor heating (gas with solar support). Underfloor heating would be possible for an extra charge (as well as triple-glazed windows). What do you think? Is it still reasonable to build according to the Energy Saving Ordinance 2009, or should it at least be a KfW 70 house?

It must be built according to the current Energy Saving Ordinance – for now, we can only guess what the 2012 version will include; many rumors are circulating.

I would always recommend implementing at least the basic requirements for KfW 70, meaning the building envelope should meet the currently valid Energy Saving Ordinance standards plus underfloor heating and triple glazing. This alone does not make it a KfW 70 efficiency house – for that, you also need a properly calculated ventilation system – but you can take your time and wait for future technologies during the expected lifespan of the likely installed gas condensing boiler.

However, this decision is yours alone – even a KfW 85 efficiency house is not a bad thing, even if it is sometimes discussed almost like a “religious topic” 😉. It depends on what you plan for your semi-detached house in the future – whether you want to live there for the rest of your life, possibly pass it on to the next generation, or if you plan it as part of your retirement provision. In the latter case, a sale will eventually be necessary, which will certainly be easier if upgrading it to the then-current Energy Saving Ordinance standard remains reasonably affordable for the buyer.

Kind regards

About a year ago, we unfortunately decided on a semi-detached house. In hindsight, I somewhat regret it. Although the plot for a detached house would have been a bit more expensive, I now have to comply with the neighbor’s wishes and build according to her requirements. This is not necessarily cheaper. I would have preferred to spend 20,000 more on the larger plot and saved items like the small dormers that I now need. Just a tip on what you should watch out for.

I’m also only building to comply with the energy-saving regulations and a floor heating system; the rest can be added later. Additional work costs money and must be factored in with interest, which can become quite expensive.

Thank you for the responses.

Of course, a detached single-family house would be nicer than a semi-detached house, but then instead of €150,000 it would cost at least €220,000–250,000, and that makes the house budget tight...

I do like the idea of including the basic requirements from the start (triple glazing, underfloor heating, and possibly even automatic ventilation). Well, we'll see what we can afford financially...

This isn’t the first developer we’ve visited, but it’s the first one where we really felt comfortable...

naish1 schrieb:
Thank you very much for the answers.

Of course, a detached single-family house would be nicer than a semi-detached house, but then instead of €150,000, you would need at least €220,000 to €250,000, and then the budget for the house becomes tight...

Please, how do you come up with these numbers???

You don’t save €70,000 to €100,000 in construction costs with a semi-detached house. I estimate that with similar specifications, you can save at most €15,000 to €20,000!!!