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There is resistance to the plans of the EU Parliament and the Federal Government. Efficiency specifications for every house are not sensible, says Minister of Building Geywitz. She is not alone in her opinion.
Actually, the course is clearly marked: The houses in Europe should consume less energy. According to the will of the EU Parliament, in ten years all houses should be renovated in such a way that they achieve at least efficiency class D. The federal government also wants to further tighten the requirements for new buildings. From the beginning of 2025, the Efficiency House 40 standard should be mandatory. Such a house uses only 40 percent of the energy of a standard house. According to industry experts, 30 to 35 centimeters of external insulation would then be required instead of 18 centimeters. And that is only part of what builders would then have to implement.
Julia Loehr
Business correspondent in Berlin.
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But there is resistance to the plans – not from just anyone, but from Federal Building Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD). At two real estate congresses over the past few days, she has expressed her doubts as to whether the focus on energy efficiency is really that effective. If, in the future, heat is supplied primarily with green electricity instead of gas or oil, a lot has already been achieved for decarbonization, she said. “I’m not convinced that we’ll have to do everything we can to make every building as energy-efficient as possible at the same time.” It makes neither economic nor ecological sense to refurbish the entire building stock in regions like the Harz Mountains or Sauerland.