The Heat is On
German Homes Go Renewable
Friday, June 06, 2008
As part of the EU commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020, German homeowners have become part of the solution.
Beginning in 2009, all new homes built in Germany will be required to install renewable energy heating systems. Renewable sources must meet 14% of a household’s total energy consumption for heating and hot water.
Grants are available to remodel existing homes to meet the standard, which requires that 10% of the heating and hot water for old houses must come from renewable sources as of 2010. The government is allocating 350 million euros ($550 million) annually for homeowners to install renewable energy systems. There’s also a stick with the carrot—homeowners who fail to switch face fines of up to 500,000 euros ($786,000).
According to analysts, increasing energy efficiency in buildings could save 50 billion euros ($78 billion) in heating costs in Germany in the next 12 years. And the introduction of new energy ratings for all houses in 2008 will be a further incentive to German homeowners to invest in energy efficiency to protect the value of their homes.
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