Energieausweis: Ein Beispiel für wenig genutztes Potential

This report, based on a study by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) at DIW Berlin, evaluates the effectiveness of the energy performance certificate (Energieausweis) in influencing home-buying decisions in Germany. Based on a survey of 662 home buyers, the report finds that while the certificate is widely known, it currently has a low impact on purchase decisions due to poor communication of ancillary costs, low availability during the selection process, and the low priority buyers place on energy efficiency compared to other property features.

• The energy performance certificate currently has a low impact on the purchase decisions of home buyers in Germany. Although 81 percent of buyers are aware of the certificate and 78 percent used it at some point during their property search, it is rated as unimportant compared to other information sources.
• A primary reason for the certificate's low effectiveness is its failure to provide information that interests buyers, specifically regarding ancillary costs. Buyers are primarily motivated by cost savings, yet the certificate is rated as the worst information source for understanding these costs because converting energy values (kWh/m2/year) into monetary costs requires specialized knowledge.
• The availability of the energy performance certificate is insufficient during the critical final selection phase of home buying. Survey participants only saw the certificate for 35 percent of the buildings in their narrow selection, and sellers actively presented it for only 24 percent of those buildings.
• Energy efficiency is considered a minor criterion in the home-buying process when compared to other property characteristics. While viewed positively, it is ranked as an insignificant purchase criterion relative to factors such as location, price, and the condition of the property.
• The implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2010/31/EU) is expected to increase the visibility and potential impact of the certificate. Starting in 2013, energy performance information must be published in property advertisements, and a control system must be introduced.
• International evidence mirrors the findings in Germany, showing low effectiveness of energy certificates. In the UK, only 18 percent of survey participants reported that the certificate influenced their purchase decision, and a Danish program showed no influence on actual energy savings.

APA

Amecke, H. (2011). Energieausweis: Ein Beispiel für wenig genutztes Potential. Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DIW-Wochenbericht-Die-Effektivität-des-Energieausweises-Ergebnisse-aus-Deutschland.pdf

Chicago

Amecke, Hermann. Energieausweis: Ein Beispiel für wenig genutztes Potential. Climate Policy Initiative, 2011. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DIW-Wochenbericht-Die-Effektivität-des-Energieausweises-Ergebnisse-aus-Deutschland.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Amecke |first1=Hermann |title=Energieausweis: Ein Beispiel für wenig genutztes Potential |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=24 August 2011 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DIW-Wochenbericht-Die-Effektivität-des-Energieausweises-Ergebnisse-aus-Deutschland.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{amecke2011energieausweis, author = {Amecke, Hermann}, title = {{Energieausweis: Ein Beispiel für wenig genutztes Potential}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2011}, month = aug, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DIW-Wochenbericht-Die-Effektivität-des-Energieausweises-Ergebnisse-aus-Deutschland.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }