Heating system: KFW subsidy 151. Is an energy consultant mandatory?

Hello,

we are about to purchase an existing property from 1988. It is clear that the heating system needs to be replaced (1992). We have already received two financing offers, and at the beginning it was briefly mentioned that the interest rates from [KfW] are higher than those from banks, so [KfW] was not further discussed. However, I accidentally came across the renovation subsidies last night. Since we plan to choose a full repayment loan, I had the idea that, in addition to the house bank loan, we could take out a [KfW] loan or I would redistribute the house loan and, with (very) good conditions from [KfW], even take out a higher loan (+10k) so that all planned renovation measures (heating, bathrooms and floors renewal, repainting the exterior facade) could be carried out immediately.

I think [KfW115] will also be achievable because the house is insulated, all windows were replaced last year by the seller, and the new heating system should do the rest – regardless, the measures will be carried out anyway.

However, I do not know what amount I can apply for at [KfW] and how the procedures work. Can I generally say that I need sum X for the installation of underfloor heating plus the heating system, or are only the costs of the heating system alone subsidized?

I hope you can help me.

You absolutely need an energy consultant for an efficiency house who confirms the execution. They should also be able to estimate the costs precisely. Remote diagnoses are difficult in this case.

How much funding you can receive is stated on the [KFW] website.

Only what you pay for the measure is subsidized. Invoices must even be kept for inspection purposes.

You cannot use leftover or excess money for a dream trip or to buy a car.

The price for the energy consultant will be given to you by an energy consultant. Depending on the scope and service, this will vary. But there are also subsidies, e.g. from the BAFA.

The energy consultant will prepare all the forms you need. The loan application is made by your house or credit bank at the KFW for you. So neither you yourself nor the energy consultant.

If most banks are not very talkative, then maybe you are going to the wrong banks?

A KFW loan is nothing particularly complicated for most banks.

In my case, I plan to replace the heating system, install underfloor heating, completely renovate the bathrooms, and carry out the usual renovations. I would have liked to cover the projects with the money or the funding. Would that be possible or only the heating system? Because if only the heating system is funded, then the KFW thing would be off anyway, since I have discounted conditions of about €7,000 compared to the house bank and the extra effort wouldn’t be worth it to me, if it would even be cheaper (the energy consultant still has to be paid, despite the subsidy). I would keep the material invoices, that would be no problem.

Except for the last conversation, the advice and the conditions were good. However, KFW was quickly dismissed. But I didn’t follow up either, because I only realized it afterwards.

No, but probably not worth it either.

If you include the underfloor heating as part of the renewal of the heating system, hardly anyone will say anything about it. No one will mind the screed and the tiles on top of it either. Nor the floor tiles in the bathroom. But I view the complete bathroom renovation with wall tiles and bathroom ceramics critically.

Now please don’t misunderstand: Why should I finance your bathroom renovation with my tax money? These are subsidized loans for (more or less sensible) energy-efficient renovation.

A bank earns exactly 0.625% of the interest from it. The margin is significantly larger than with some promotional conditions for a new build financing. However, only for 50 or 75 thousand euros.

What "type" of bank was that? The one around the corner or the one from the internet?

Say hardly anything? Isn’t it handled beforehand which costs will be covered? Heating system, underfloor heating, and the screed, that already sounds somewhat more interesting.

That’s completely correct. That’s why I also openly ask to what extent the KFW provides funding.

That surprises me a lot, because I would classify our conditions as competitive conditions (1.63–1.8%).

The big usual banks around the corner.

P.S. Thanks for the great support!