Q: What is an energy performance certificate?

Energy performance certificates provide information about a building's energy consumption per square meter of usable floor space per year and its energy efficiency class, similar to what we already know for household appliances or vehicles. This is intended to give prospective buyers of condominiums and those interested in renting apartments objective information about whether a building has high or low energy consumption. The political expectation is that buildings with poor energy performance ratings will be identified in order to motivate building owners to undertake energy-efficient modernizations. Generally, a distinction is made between two different types of energy performance certificates: consumption-based and demand-based.

Question 1

What is an energy performance certificate?

Accepted Answer

Energy performance certificates provide information about energy consumption per square meter of usable floor space per year and the energy efficiency class of a building, similar to what we already know for household appliances or vehicles. This is intended to give prospective buyers of condominiums and those interested in renting apartments objective information about whether a building has high or low energy consumption. The political expectation is that buildings with poor energy ratings will be identified in order to motivate building owners to undertake energy-efficient modernizations.

Generally, a distinction is made between two different types of energy performance certificates: the consumption-based and the demand-based energy performance certificate.

Question 2

Where do I get an energy certificate?

Accepted Answer

We offer energy performance certificates for residential buildings. The easiest and most affordable way to order an energy performance certificate is via our booking page or our customer portal.

Question 3

Why do I need an energy performance certificate?

Accepted Answer

Since May 1, 2014, real estate advertisements in commercial media have been required to display various details from the energy performance certificate. The energy performance certificate must be presented to every prospective buyer or tenant of an apartment or house by the seller, landlord, or real estate agent without being requested during the viewing. Once the contract is finalized, the certificate must be given to the tenant or buyer (at least a copy). Tenants in existing leases, however, are not entitled to an energy performance certificate. Therefore, an energy performance certificate is always required when a house or apartment is sold or newly rented.

Question 4

Energy performance certificate based on demand or consumption – which one do I need?

Accepted Answer

Energy performance certificates based on calculated energy demand are mandatory for buildings with fewer than five apartments that were constructed with a building permit before November 1, 1977, and have not been modernized to at least the requirements of the first Thermal Insulation Ordinance (WSVO) of 1977. Energy performance certificates based on actual energy consumption are permitted in all other cases, i.e., for buildings with more than five apartments and a building permit issued after November 1, 1977.

Question 5

How do energy performance certificates based on consumption differ from those based on demand?

Accepted Answer

The energy performance certificate takes into account energy consumption values ​​from the last 36 months. These consumption values ​​reflect, among other things, the influence of the user and the operation of the building system, so that energy savings resulting from changes in user behavior or increased efficiency of the building system can be clearly illustrated. The consumption values ​​are adjusted for climate. The energy demand certificate, on the other hand, calculates the annual energy demand of a building after an on-site inspection has been carried out to record the building and building system data, taking into account structural and building system characteristics (insulation, building materials, construction method, heating system). This calculation is based on standardized values ​​and boundary conditions – for example, regarding climate and user behavior.

Question 6

What is meant by a residential building in the context of energy performance certificates?

Accepted Answer

Residential buildings are buildings whose primary purpose is residential, including residential homes, retirement homes, nursing homes, and similar facilities. The non-residential component of such buildings, e.g., shops, may be up to 10%. Thus, a residential building with 500 m² can still be classified as such, even if there is a 49 m² shop on the ground floor.

Question 7

What is a non-residential building?

Accepted Answer

A non-residential building is a building that cannot be classified as a residential building, e.g. for commercial, freelance, governmental or non-profit activities.

Question 8

When are multiple energy performance certificates required for a building?

Accepted Answer

Mixed-use buildings: If the building is a mixed-use building, the differently used parts of the building are treated as separate buildings. Accordingly, at least one energy performance certificate for residential use and one energy performance certificate for non-residential use must be issued for this property. Buildings with terraced construction: For the following reasons, it is not possible for us to make a general approach as to whether a terraced construction can be considered as one or more buildings. The procedure for creating the energy performance certificate, based on the GEG (German Building Energy Act), stipulates that for further investigation, photographic material must be provided and various details about the property must be given. must be obtained. Depending on this, the final determination is also made as to whether there is one or more buildings and whether, if applicable, Further information needs to be obtained for the assessment. For the issuance of energy performance certificates, it is important to understand what constitutes a building within the meaning of Section 79 Paragraph 2. What constitutes a building is determined by the general meaning of the word "building" as well as the heating and cooling requirements according to § 2 GEG. To distinguish between buildings, parts of buildings and apartments, certain circumstances – usually several together – can be used as indicators. For example, the following can speak in favor of a building: its independent usability, a separable spatial and functional relationship, its demarcation by the heat-transferring envelope, its own house number, property boundaries, its own entrance, and its separation by firewalls. Taking into account the aforementioned indications, the following can be said: A row of buildings, such as a row of terraced houses with several houses, consists of several buildings. Identical construction, which is certainly not a given with terraced houses, would not, even if it existed, make several buildings into one building. Section 17 of the GEG (German Building Energy Act) stipulates that when buildings are constructed simultaneously in a row, they may be treated as one building with regard to the energy requirements of Sections 12, 14, 15 and 16 of the GEG. Section 17 sentence 2 of the GEG stipulates that the provisions of Part 5 concerning the energy certificate remain unaffected by this. This means that when issuing energy performance certificates, treating a row of buildings as a single building is specifically not intended. Therefore, an energy performance certificate must be issued for each individual terraced house. The same applies to two semi-detached houses, even if they share a heating system. The energy performance certificate must be issued separately for each semi-detached house. It should be taken into account that terraced housing complexes and semi-detached houses are often not identical in construction and do not have the same level of modernization. The latter is also of particular importance with regard to the modernization recommendations in the energy certificate, as these recommendations must take into account the potential modernization needs of the respective building. The assessment of whether a row of multi-family houses constitutes one or more buildings remains a core problem. Since the facts and definition of the term "building" are not very transparent, the PG-EnEV (Project Group for Energy Saving Ordinance) of the Technical Commission for Building Technology has in the past developed and published a guideline/interpretation regarding this topic (Interpretation XX-1 to Section 17). 3 EnEV). The BBSR (Federal Institute for Building and Regional Planning) also... In urban and spatial research, the content is addressed and a differentiated approach is pointed out, which is also taken into account in our decision-making process. Alternative: Confirmation from a person authorized under Section 88 GEG. As an alternative to the determination by Minol, you can send us confirmation as to whether there is one or more buildings on your properties that extend over several house numbers. We welcome this approach, as you and especially your experts are best able to assess your properties based on your detailed knowledge and consideration of the relevant criteria. However, the confirmation should be signed by a person authorized under Section 88 of the German Building Energy Act (GEG) so that you and ultimately the person signing the energy certificate are acting in accordance with the regulations and, in the event of an inspection (Part 7 GEG) or a challenge by a potential tenant, neither you nor the signatory can be accused of negligence.

Question 9

What is behind the Building Energy Act?

Accepted Answer

The new Building Energy Act (GEG) aims to standardize energy conservation regulations for buildings. It has been in force since November 1, 2020. It now combines the Energy Conservation Act (EnEG), the Energy Conservation Ordinance (EnEV), and the Renewable Energy Heat Act (EEWärmeG).

The background to the law is that energy in buildings should be used as efficiently as possible and that renewable energies should be increasingly used.

Question 10

What has changed in the energy performance certificate since May 2021?

Accepted Answer

The German Building Energy Act (GEG) is not only the legal basis for the energy performance certificate, but also aims to create incentives for improving the energy efficiency of the entire building stock in Germany. With the revision of the legislation in May 2021, the following changes were particularly significant: More individualized and precise modernization recommendations: The quality of modernization recommendations is to be improved. In this context, we now request details about the energy performance of buildings when issuing consumption-based energy performance certificates. In addition, the GEG requires informative photographs, which we can use to assess the current energy performance. Conversely, the energy performance certificate contains more detailed and informative modernization recommendations. Air conditioning: Another new requirement for issuing energy performance certificates: Information on existing air conditioning systems with a nominal output of more than 12 kW is now requested. This includes the number of units and the due date of the next inspection. CO₂ emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions (simply put, CO₂ emissions) describe the climate impact caused by building operation. The CO₂ value is based on the calculation of the energy sources used and is a mandatory piece of information in the energy performance certificate.

Question 11

What photos do I need to order an energy performance certificate?

Accepted Answer

Since May 1, 2021, legislation requires that photographs be provided if no on-site inspection takes place. Based on this, Minol includes specific modernization recommendations in its energy performance certificate.

To order a consumption-based energy performance certificate, you should have some photos of the building and its technical systems ready. Alternatively, you can interrupt the ordering process and continue it later when you have the required photos.

Question 12

Can data capture and photos also be handled by Minol?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ordering an energy performance certificate is easy with the help of our experts. With just a few clicks, you can order a needs-based energy performance certificate online from us. The data collection will be carried out on-site at the building together with one of our appointed property inspectors.

Question 13

How long are energy performance certificates valid?

Accepted Answer

Energy performance certificates are valid for ten years.

A new energy performance certificate is required if the building is recalculated after major renovations and refurbishments in accordance with the Building Energy Act. If only the heating system is replaced, there is no obligation to issue a new certificate. However, we recommend requesting one in this case.

Question 14

Is my existing energy performance certificate still valid according to the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV)?

Accepted Answer

A legally compliant energy performance certificate that was issued before May 1, 2021, in accordance with the EnEV regulations, retains its validity period of 10 years.

Question 15

Why can't an existing energy performance certificate simply be extended, even though Minol already has the information on heating media and quantities?

Accepted Answer

An energy performance certificate cannot be extended. For new energy performance certificates with a new validity period, the legislator requires a new data collection in accordance with the current regulations of the Building Energy Act (GEG). However, the data on heating media and quantities already available to Minol from the heating bills of the last 36 months does not need to be entered again by you when ordering if you choose the convenient ordering process via the customer portal.

Question 16

What information is mandatory in the energy performance certificate for commercial real estate advertisements since May 2021?

Accepted Answer

The type of certificate: energy performance certificate based on calculated energy demand or energy consumption. The value of the final energy demand or final energy consumption for the building, based on the living area. For non-residential buildings, this information must be listed separately for heating and electricity. The main energy sources for heating the building. For residential buildings: the year of construction stated in the energy performance certificate.

Question 17

What happens if I don't have an energy performance certificate and don't want to have one created?

Accepted Answer

In this case, you can initially omit the energy performance information from the property advertisement. However, you will need an energy performance certificate at the latest by the time of the house or apartment viewing – you must then present this to the prospective buyer or tenant. If an energy performance certificate is not presented at the viewing, you, as the landlord or seller, are committing an administrative offense and risk a fine. Therefore, the energy performance certificate must be issued no later than when the first prospective buyer or tenant contacts you.

Question 18

Is an energy performance certificate also required for listed buildings?

Accepted Answer

No. According to state law, listed buildings or groups of buildings are not subject to the energy performance certificate requirement under Section 79 Paragraph 4 of the German Building Energy Act (GEG). To be able to prove this in case of doubt, it is advisable to obtain and keep the official confirmation of the listed building status on hand.

Question 19

How is a demand-based energy performance certificate created?

Accepted Answer

A demand-based energy performance certificate (EPC) is prepared based on the condition of the building envelope and the heating system. The calculated energy demand is independent of the residents' behavior. We offer a high-performance alternative with a building inspection and joint data collection on-site with a certified property inspector.

Question 20

How is a consumption-based energy performance certificate created?

Accepted Answer

A cost-effective, consumption-based energy certificate or energy pass, based on the data from the last heating bills, is permitted for all multi-family houses with five or more apartments, or for buildings with fewer than five apartments that were built after 1977 or were modernized in accordance with the 1st Thermal Insulation Ordinance of 11.09.1977.

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Consumption-based energy performance certificate

Energy performance certificate based on demand

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Energy performance certificate for Brunata Minol customers

Energy performance certificate for buildings with up to four residential units

Energy performance certificate for buildings with five or more residential units