Energy consultant cost / benefit?

Hello everyone,

we are at the beginning of the planning phase.
Our architect has largely completed the building application and will submit it soon for the building permit.
Planned start of construction is spring/summer 2021.

In discussions with the architects, the topic of an energy consultant came up.
At the start of construction, an energy saving ordinance certificate must be available. According to the energy consultant’s offer, this costs about €550.

Construction according to KFW55 standard is initially not planned.
The energy consultant’s offer for the calculation of a KFW55 concept including thermal bridge verification, site visit, and documentation amounts to about €6500 in total.
Since the current KFW subsidy is €18,000, after deducting the energy consultant, only €11,500 remain, which will then be used for increased manufacturing costs.

If we build without KFW subsidy, is only the energy saving ordinance certificate required?
Is construction according to KFW55 standard sensible or do the investment costs often exceed the subsidy of €18,000?
(I am aware that due to the higher insulation values there may be lower heating costs)

Best regards

The offer from Energiebarter for the accounting of a KFW55 concept including thermal bridge verification, construction site visit documentation amounts to approximately €6500.

... and is paid 50% by the KfW.

which will then be used for increased production costs.

If you really have such high additional costs – it depends on your current planning. Since building is often already done with a heat pump, ventilation system, and well-insulated walls, the step to KFW 55 is not far away. Even if it is a zero-sum game, you are still the winner. First, through a higher quality construction/equipment of the house, second, through lower heating costs, and third, through an improved resale value of the house.

Hello everyone,

we are at the beginning of the planning phase.
Our architect has largely completed the building application and will submit it promptly.
Planned start of construction is spring/summer 2021.

In discussions with the architects, the topic of the energy consultant came up.
At the start of construction, a proof of compliance with the Energy Saving Ordinance must be available. According to the energy consultant's offer, this costs about €550.

Building to KFW55 standard is not initially planned.
The energy consultant's offer for accounting a KFW55 concept including thermal bridge verification, site visit documentation amounts to about €6500 in total.
Since the KFW subsidy is currently €18,000, after deducting the energy consultant (only) €11,500 remain, which will then be used for increased manufacturing costs.

If we build without a KFW subsidy, is only the proof of compliance with the Energy Saving Ordinance required?
Is building to KFW55 standard sensible or do the investment costs often exceed the subsidy of €18,000?
(I am well aware that higher insulation values possibly mean lower heating costs)

Best regards

With us, the energy consultant is included. It is also possible to apply for BAFA funding for the energy consultant here. I believe you can get 50% of the costs.

In my opinion, building KfW 55 makes total sense right now!

The surcharge compared to a Kfw 70 house averages between €7,000 - €10,000 – depending on the construction company.

€18,000 funding with 0.95% interest over 10 years is really strong. Of course, in the current situation you could also get a 10-year fixed-interest loan at about 0.70%, but then you would not have any subsidy. Effectively, after deducting construction costs, you get about €10,000 – which is actually very reasonable.

So yes, I would definitely build to KfW 55!

With Kfw 55 you probably build equity. You install a heat pump and no solar thermal system. For the heat pump, there is also a 35% refund of the costs (material + labor) from BAFA. However, it must be listed in BAFA.

With KfW 55 you probably build equity
Install a heat pump and no solar thermal. For the heat pump, there is also a 35% refund of the costs (material + labor) from BAFA. However, it must be listed with BAFA.

Exactly, you are installing an air-water heat pump anyway, which you will then receive funding for. Your ventilation system that you "could" install will also be funded, but it is not a MUST for KfW 55.

So currently I really don’t see any reason NOT to do it, unless the cost for the KfW 55 construction type with your construction company exceeds the 15,000€ mark or so.

Thank you very much in advance for your answers! Since we mostly build through individual contracts, that is, without a general contractor, I have to inquire about the additional costs due to the KFW55 standard from the individual companies. But that is not a problem. I also think that the step shouldn't be too big anyway. And the 50% cost coverage from KFW makes the investment in the energy consultant more bearable again. Regarding the heating system, we are wavering between a gas boiler + solar or geothermal energy. I have concerns about the efficiency of the air-to-water heat pump on cold days.