Energy Certificates for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings
Mandatory for Property Sales and Rentals
Since 2009, an energy certificate has been legally required in Germany when a property is sold or rented. It serves as proof of a building’s energy efficiency and provides potential buyers or tenants with guidance on expected energy costs. Depending on the building type and renovation status, either Consumption Certificate or Demand Certificate required.
Consumption Certificate |
Demand Certificate |
Based on actual consumption values from the last three years |
Based on a technical analysis of the building |
Cheaper but less accurate, as user behavior plays a significant role |
Detailed assessment of the building’s structure, independent of user behavior |
For buildings with at least five residential units and sufficient consumption data |
Mandatory for unrenovated buildings constructed before 1977 |
When Is Which Energy Certificate Required?
Selling or renting a property → Mandatory since 2009, with fines of up to €15,000 for violations.
New construction or extensive renovation → A demand certificate is required to verify the new energy efficiency.
Multi-family houses with at least five residential units → A consumption certificate is usually sufficient.
If there is uncertainty about which energy certificate is required, a professional assessment is recommended.
Process of Issuing an Energy Certificate
1. Initial Consultation
First, it is determined which type of energy certificate is required for the respective building. This depends on factors such as the year of construction, usage, and available consumption data.
2. Data Collection
- For the consumption certificate, energy consumption data from the past three years is needed. - For the demand certificate, a detailed analysis of the building envelope, heating technology, and other energy-related factors is conducted.
3. Calculation and Analysis
Experts evaluate the collected data and determine the building’s energy efficiency class. - In the case of a demand certificate, a theoretical energy consumption is calculated, independent of previous user behavior.
4. Issuance of the Energy Certificate
After the analysis is completed, the energy certificate is issued. It remains valid for ten years and must be renewed unless a new construction or major renovation occurs.
