ᐅ Is it mandatory to build according to the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) 2009?

surfcamper schrieb:

What’s the point of an air source heat pump, a reversible heat pump, or a ground source heat pump without an additional heating system? The efficiency of such units is laughable, and the cost compared to that is completely out of proportion. Those who have one of these without backup heating will surely love this winter ; at low temperatures, the house will never get comfortably warm, and the resulting high electricity costs are far from energy-conscious—especially in the future as electricity prices continue to rise.

Have you ever lived in a house with one of the above (well-designed) heating systems? You should ask to see the heating bill (= electricity costs). I’m already looking forward to our heating system with ground source heat plus controlled ventilation (setting aside the comfort factor).

Yes, in my own house – gas condensing boiler – back in 1997 it cost about 4000 DM – it has been running without issues ever since. The annual consumption for around 180 sqm (1937 sq ft) is about 13,000-15,000 kWh of gas, and I can always have a cozy 23 degrees Celsius (73°F) or even higher if I want. Gas prices are expected to decrease slightly; at least our supplier has already announced this for the coming years. Our electricity usage is about 4000 kWh per year, but that includes a fully equipped home office and a camper van heated in winter by an electric heating element rated at 1500 W.

If you heat a 100-150 sqm (1076-1615 sq ft) house with geothermal energy, that should definitely be no problem. I also think it could provide enough warmth, better than an air-source heat pump. If that’s not sufficient, there’s always the electric heating element, plus controlled mechanical ventilation – but all of that requires energy. What do you do in a power outage then? Personally, I wouldn’t plan a heating system without a fireplace; you never know what challenges we might face in the future.

We originally considered geothermal energy too, but dismissed it again because of the high effort, disproportionately high costs, and uncertainties regarding future maintenance. As I said, my focus is on possible self-sufficiency in case electricity and gas fail. Then we would just build according to KfW 70 standards (energy efficiency standard) and that should make gas condensing boiler and a fireplace sufficient, also meeting the energy saving regulations.

Even if I could afford it, I am strongly opposed to adding solar. It wasn’t cost-effective 16 years ago either. I once calculated that the cost for heating (underfloor heating) in our planned 200 sqm (2153 sq ft) house, including controlled mechanical ventilation, gas condensing boiler, 10 sqm (108 sq ft) of solar panels, and a fireplace, would be between 36,000 and 40,000. I personally find this absolutely crazy in relation to the total house construction costs! If lawmakers’ main goal is just to boost the economy... how is a normal family with an average income supposed to afford something like this?

What do you want???
After your initial thread, the question was whether you have to build according to the 2009 energy-saving regulations.
Yes!
No one is forcing you to build KfW 70 standard or below!
Your 1997 house was also built following the applicable thermal insulation regulations at that time.
Back then, there were also skeptics about whether gas was the right choice... (even today, some still consider oil to be the ultimate solution).
I didn’t read that you are building for 2 people? Then gas plus solar panels of—no idea—2–3 m² (22–32 sq ft), combined with controlled residential ventilation with heat recovery, should be enough to meet the 2009 energy-saving regulation standard.
So why are you aiming for KfW 70 or lower now?

Expensive business! We expect to spend around 25,000 to 27,000 EUR for the deep geothermal drilling, heat pump, and underfloor heating for a house of about 240 m² (2,583 sq ft). In addition, there is the controlled residential ventilation system. In our case, the gas connection is no longer offered by the utility provider. For that price, I cannot consider a pellet heating system, as it would require an enormous amount of space. A wood stove and possibly a water storage tank (otherwise you have 35°C (95°F) at the stove location but not in the other rooms) is also quite expensive (at least if it’s not DIY store quality).

P.S. With the heat pump, no electric backup heater is needed for us in winter.

@ypg – yes, my question was simply whether I am required to install solar in addition to gas, and what happens if I don’t. According to my building consultant, apparently yes, because the energy saving regulation requires it if I want a gas condensing boiler and to achieve KfW55 standard. Allegedly, a gas heating system must always be combined with solar. But I don’t want solar because it is not economically viable. For the roughly 10,000 euros (about $11,000) additional cost, I could probably pay the gas bills for at least 10 years, maybe longer.

@nordanney – yep, it’s quite expensive, but that also includes the controlled ventilation system with heat recovery, which alone amounts to almost 10,000 euros (about $11,000) for the planned size. So your costs will be similar. The good thing about geothermal is that you are practically self-sufficient or independent. I would also like to give up gas and heat only with the stove. It’s just inconvenient if you’re away for two weeks in winter; then there’s no heating at all unless you install an additional electric heating element. But I don’t know if that would even be allowed under the energy saving regulation. I don’t want a pellet stove, only a pure wood stove with water jackets.

Hello,

surfcamper schrieb:
... Yesterday, even on the T-Online site, there was an article claiming that the KfW is withholding alleged studies proving that KfW standards are disproportionate to the enormous investment costs and are actually uneconomical.
We have shared this opinion for a long time.

Without background information, these are in any case assumptions and speculations. Moreover, for every building, the actual demand (performance, energy) for heating and hot water can be determined in advance, and from that, the expected consumption can be estimated. Once you have these concrete figures, investments and their capital service can be reliably evaluated.
This quickly reveals which solution is economical and which is rather a hidden burden. KfW funding does not automatically or fundamentally mean that a concept is economically viable. This is exclusively the responsibility of the builder and their planners or consultants.

surfcamper schrieb:
... My builder says that it’s not possible without at least adding a solar system, otherwise we won’t meet the requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance.

That is a requirement of the EEWG.

surfcamper schrieb:
... But is it really mandatory to build according to this Energy Saving Ordinance?

Initially, yes, but not necessarily. For this, a report according to § 25 of the Energy Saving Ordinance is needed.

surfcamper schrieb:
... Response from the head of the building authority: He doesn’t know the ordinance, says it doesn’t exist, and no one can be forced to follow something like that—it would be like communism (...correctly and well recognized :cool .

I would doubt how much longer he will remain head of the building authority.

surfcamper schrieb:
... So what exactly happens if you don’t build according to the Energy Saving Ordinance?

The Energy Saving Ordinance is initially building law. Proof of compliance with the conditions and requirements (Energy Saving Ordinance standards) is part of the building permit. There may also be stricter requirements under the respective state building codes, as implementation (enforcement of the Energy Saving Ordinance) is a matter for the individual states. Simply not building according to the Energy Saving Ordinance can mean that the building permit becomes legally invalid afterwards. This is very serious for the builder and comes with significant consequences.
The only option: an expert report according to § 25 of the Energy Saving Ordinance.

Best regards.