Press Releases - 12.01.2023
Eschborn, January 12, 2023 – Both institutional and private landlords in Germany see the new regulation on the distribution of CO₂-costs as an incentive to implement energy-efficient renovations to their properties. Market research data from Techem, a leading service provider for green and smart buildings, shows that 73 percent of business and 65 percent of private landlords rate the government’s decision as an impetus to improve the energy performance of buildings. Around one in four (business: 39 percent, private: 41 percent) even rate it as strong to very strong.
Energy refurbishments targeted in the next one to two years
Landlords who, according to the survey, see an incentive in the new regulations were also asked to what extent they would actually like to implement energy-efficient renovations. The results were striking: The fundamental assessment is also reflected in the planning of the measures. More than 60 percent want to carry out energy-saving renovations (private: 62 percent, business: 65 percent). Two out of ten business landlords and three out of ten private landlords plan to invest in renovating heating systems, replacing windows and insulating facades or roofs. The majority of the energy-saving renovations planned are to be implemented in the next one to two years.
“To achieve a climate-neutral building stock, it is crucial to significantly improve the energy efficiency of properties in Germany,” emphasizes Matthias Hartmann, CEO of Techem. “Landlords who cannot implement refurbishments in the short and medium term have the opportunity to reduce their own share of CO₂-costs today by implementing low-investment, digital measures.” Digital measurement of energy flows, monitoring of heating systems and other operating processes, and optimized operational management can improve the energy efficiency of a property by up to 15 percent.
Landlords see challenges in the workload and a financial burden
Despite the positive effects on willingness to invest, respondents are also concerned that the regulation will have a negative impact. More than half of private (56 percent) and business landlords (53 percent) consider their own financial burden to be high. 68 percent of business landlords and 50 percent of private landlords also expect a higher workload for determining the energy balance.
Services for cost allocation relieve landlords
In order to reduce the administrative effort and be able to determine the cost allocation, energy service providers such as Techem offer solutions for landlords. They only have to communicate the CO₂ quantity and the costs incurred for this, which are shown separately on the energy supplier’s invoice. Based on the square meters and the data submitted, the emission level can be determined, and the CO2- costs apportioned. Techem also offers a CO2-calculator online that landlords can use to calculate an individual cost forecast for their property easily and free of charge.
On November 25, the Bundesrat approved the law on the distribution of CO2-costs between landlords and tenants of residential buildings, which had previously been passed by the Bundestag. A 10-stage model has now been in force since January 1, 2023, under which carbon dioxide costs are apportioned depending on the energy standard and on the basis of the energy consumption certificate for the apartment building. When distributing the costs, the lower the CO2-emission, the larger the share for the tenants. The CO2-levy is intended to help promote climate-friendly behavior in order to achieve the German government’s climate targets.
About the study
Techem conducted an online survey in November 2022, surveying 100 business and 400 private landlords. The participants of the study were obtained via the public panels of Gapfish, Innofact and QuestionPro.
About Techem
Techem is a leading service provider for smart and sustainable buildings. The company's services cover energy management and resource conservation, residential health and process efficiency in real estate. Founded in 1952, the company is now active in 18 countries with around 4,300 employees and services more than 13 million homes. Techem offers efficiency improvements along the entire value chain of heat and water in real estate. As the market leader in remote radio detection of energy consumption in homes, Techem continues to drive networking and digital processes in real estate. Modern radio smoke detectors with remote inspection and services related to improving drinking water quality in properties complement the solution portfolio for the housing industry. For more information, visit www.techem.com/corp/en.
