Efficiency improvements in the building sector are a key component of the German Energy Concept. The stated objective of the Concept is a 20% reduction in the heat requirement of buildings by 2020, so as to achieve an 80% reduction in the primary energy requirement by 2050. In these CPI reports and briefs, CPI analysis addresses questions emerging from the review of policy instruments and programs focused on this objective.

PROJECT OVERVIEW: POLICIES SUPPORTING THERMAL EFFICIENCY IN GERMANY’S RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS SECTOR

Published September 2011 This paper evaluates implemented policies supporting thermal efficiency in Germany’s residential building sector. The evaluations shows how policies can engage with households effectively by supporting each state of their decision-making process about thermal retrofit investment. For its analysis, the paper utilizes the key insights from the six CPI studies on thermal efficicy policy shown below.

QUESTION 1: POLICY MAP

Published August 2011 This paper provides an overview of currently implemented German policies, specifically addressing two questions:

• What roles do different types of policies play in supporting energy efficiency in the residential building sector and how do they interact?
• In Germany, which policies fulfill these roles? How do they perform?

QUESTION 2: COSTS, BENEFITS, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THERMAL RETROFIT

Published May 2011

• What are the costs and benefits of deep thermal retrofits?
• What level of financial support is needed to achieve the Energy Concept targets?

QUESTION 3: USING TAX INCENTIVES TO SUPPORT THERMAL RETROFITS

Published July 2011

• What role could tax support options play in encouraging thermal retrofits?
• How can they help ensure that thermal retrofits deliver the necessary energy performance?

QUESTION 4: INFORMATION TOOLS TO SUPPORT ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTION

Published June 2011

• What role do information instruments play during different stages of the building retrofit decision-making process?
• How do these tools impact the effectiveness and implementation practices of existing policies?

Related Event: CPI Berlin Workshop on Information Tools

QUESTION 5: DRIVERS OF THERMAL RETROFIT DECISIONS

Published July 2011

• What are the the key motivators at various stages of the decision-making process that drive homeowners to undergo thermal retrofit?
• How might policies influence this decision-making process and drive homeowners toward retrofit?

QUESTION 6: EFFECTIVENESS OF ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPCS) – EVIDENCE FROM GERMANY

Published July 2011

• How effective have EPCs been in helping purchasers to incorporate energy efficiency into their home purchasing decisions?
• What are the policy implications of the EPC’s current effectiveness?

*CPI would like to thank Immobilien Scout GmbH for providing access to their subscribers for the survery upon which this study was based.