Energetische Sanierung: Handlungsbedarf auf vielen Ebenen

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) at DIW Berlin analyzes the challenges and policy instruments required to meet the German government's goals for energy-efficient building renovations. Based on a survey of 2,000 households, it identifies barriers across three phases of the decision-making process—initial interest, planning, and implementation—and suggests improvements in information delivery, financial incentives, and craftsman certification to increase both the rate and scope of renovations.

• The German government aims to reduce the heat demand for buildings by 20% by 2020 and the primary energy demand by 80% by 2050. To achieve this, the annual rate of energy-efficient renovations must increase from approximately 0.8% to 2%.
• Because a 2% annual renovation rate means each building is reached only once by 2050, renovations must be comprehensive rather than consisting of individual measures to meet the 80% primary energy reduction target.
• Financial barriers are significant as the total costs of energy-efficient renovation typically exceed the resulting energy cost savings. However, when energy retrofits are integrated into general modernization projects, energy-related costs drop to about one-third of total costs, aligning more closely with the energy savings.
• Information instruments are critical for the first phase of the decision process. The report suggests that detailed heating cost bills, improved energy certificates, and better communication of thermal comfort benefits can increase awareness among currently uninterested households.
• In the planning phase, craftsmen are the most trusted source of information, with 56% of households expressing trust in them. Conversely, while the internet is widely used, it does not enjoy high levels of trust.
• The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) provides low-interest loans and grants that incentivize higher energy standards. Half of the surveyed households stated that KfW support was important for implementing comprehensive renovations. However, high-standard renovations (KfW 85 or better) remain rare, with only 7,400 such measures funded in 2010.
• The quality of implementation depends on the training and certification of craftsmen. The report notes that current training in implementation, coordination, and communication for comprehensive renovations is insufficient, which can negatively impact the decisions of other households who rely on the experiences of friends and family.

APA

neuhoff, K., amecke, H., novikova, A., & stelmakh, K. A. (2011). Energetische Sanierung: Handlungsbedarf auf vielen Ebenen. Climate Policy Initiative. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Zusammenfassung-im-DIW-Wochenbericht-Energetische-Sanierung.pdf

Chicago

neuhoff, karsten, hermann amecke, aleksandra novikova, and k ateryna stelmakh. Energetische Sanierung: Handlungsbedarf auf vielen Ebenen. Climate Policy Initiative, 2011. https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Zusammenfassung-im-DIW-Wochenbericht-Energetische-Sanierung.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=neuhoff |first1=karsten |last2=amecke |first2=hermann |last3=novikova |first3=aleksandra |last4=stelmakh |first4=k ateryna |title=Energetische Sanierung: Handlungsbedarf auf vielen Ebenen |publisher=Climate Policy Initiative |date=24 August 2011 |url=https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Zusammenfassung-im-DIW-Wochenbericht-Energetische-Sanierung.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{neuhoff2011energetische, author = {neuhoff, karsten and amecke, hermann and novikova, aleksandra and stelmakh, k ateryna}, title = {{Energetische Sanierung: Handlungsbedarf auf vielen Ebenen}}, institution = {Climate Policy Initiative}, year = {2011}, month = aug, url = {https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Zusammenfassung-im-DIW-Wochenbericht-Energetische-Sanierung.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }