ᐅ Is it practical to have a utility room located beneath the house?

Nordlys schrieb:

The Energy Saving Ordinance is acceptable as a recommendation, and promoting certain standards is also fine, but if I want to build more simply and am willing to pay for gas, why should anyone forbid me from doing so?

The Energy Saving Ordinance is basically just a "minimum standard" (which is relatively easy to meet) – just ask who actually builds according to the Energy Saving Ordinance and who builds according to the stricter KfW standard because of subsidies.

Also, why isn't it allowed to do your own house electrical work? It’s my house, so why not do it myself? After all, I can install a heating system or fit windows myself.

You actually can. The only issue might be that your house is not insured in case of problems.

Why does City Councilor Hufnagel want to forbid me from planting palm trees in my garden? It’s my garden, etc. At least in the US, people have more freedom, even if it's less protected. Aren’t we in Germany ready for that?

As long as neighbors complain if your hedge isn’t properly trimmed or your driveway isn’t swept, and would rather call the police at night because of noise instead of just knocking on your door and letting you know, the answer is: No.

The Energy Saving Ordinance is already mandatory, matschie. In Germany, it is no longer possible to build without using some form of uneconomical renewable energy equipment. Building without external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) or other wall insulation materials is becoming increasingly difficult. Every builder is required to have an energy assessment done, which often costs well over 1000 euros. In some areas, authorities even check how garages are used, although it hardly matters whether you store a car or, for example, a beach chair and bicycles there.

Please continue... yes... many of us, especially in residential areas, are seen as prissy and narrow-minded, always shouting “my lawyer,” meticulously maintaining terraces, polishing their cars, and hiding the dirt in their souls behind a facade of “everything is perfect.” K.

Nordlys schrieb:

Energy Saving Ordinance, matschie, is already mandatory. It is no longer possible in Germany to build without some uneconomical renewable energy equipment.

I understand, that’s not what I meant. BUT: The Energy Saving Ordinance requirements are relatively low. Most people build (voluntarily) according to stricter standards, for example KfW55.

The Energy Saving Ordinance is not as lenient as it might seem. It is periodically updated. We build according to the Energy Saving Ordinance. If we happen to meet KfW 55 standards by "chance," that is even better, but we do not specifically aim for it.

Additional costs would have been noticeably higher, and we would likely not see a return on investment...

The Energy Saving Ordinance is a prime example of the compatibility between environmental policy and industrial lobbying.

Nordlys schrieb:

I don’t see why a zoning plan would ban black or blue roofs or require me to plant hedges. I’m okay with the energy saving regulations as recommendations and with promoting certain standards, but if I want to build more simply and am willing to pay for gas, why would anyone want to forbid that?

Regarding plants and energy saving regulation standards, it’s probably about the common good. Although I’m not entirely sure if all the pros and cons of those energy saving rules were thoroughly considered. But that’s another topic and I’m not an expert.

Using native plants makes sense to me. I’m really curious how our garden will turn out. We have very extensive regulations here, but I’m still looking forward to creating a hopefully bee-, insect-, bird-, lizard-, and so on, friendly paradise.

When it comes to roofs and such, I completely agree with you. My husband and I have visited many new housing developments over the past months for inspiration, but almost all the houses look nearly identical. At dusk, it almost feels eerie—as if they were clones. Personally, I’d prefer if in new developments a log cabin stood next to a Bauhaus-style house, next to a Mediterranean villa, next to a Scandinavian home, and so forth. I’d find diversity in that sense more attractive, interesting, and inspiring. I wouldn’t mind such a mix if the height and size of the buildings allowed each homeowner (or neighbor) enough light, air, space, and sun. But I assume there must be a good reason why houses are meant to look similar, as newer zoning plans usually require that.