EeWärmeG

The Gebäudeenergiegesetz, often abbreviated as GEG, is a German federal law that came into effect on November 1, 2020. It consolidates and streamlines several previous building energy regulations, including the former Energieeinsparverordnung (EnEV), the Erneuerbare-Energien-Wärmegesetz (EEWärmeG), and the Gebäude-Energiegesetz (GEG) itself which was already in place but updated. The primary goal of the GEG is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in Germany and to increase the use of renewable energies for heating and cooling.

The GEG sets standards for new constructions and for renovations of existing buildings. It mandates that a certain percentage of the heating and cooling demand in new buildings must be met by renewable energy sources. This percentage has been subject to adjustments and is a key component of the law's climate protection aims. For existing buildings, the GEG specifies requirements for thermal insulation when certain building components are renovated, such as roofs, walls, or floors.

The law also addresses the replacement of old heating systems, encouraging the transition away from fossil fuel-based systems. It includes provisions for the installation of renewable energy systems like solar thermal collectors, heat pumps, and connections to district heating networks powered by renewable sources. The GEG aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector and contribute to Germany's national climate targets by making buildings more energy-efficient and promoting sustainable heating and cooling solutions.