KFW 70 funding still in 2015

I have received the following in writing from KFW Bank:

Currently, you can apply for a loan from our product "Energy-Efficient Construction" (153) for the new construction of a KfW Efficiency House 70.

We finance a maximum of 50,000 euros per housing unit.

From 01.04.2016, we no longer support the new construction and first purchase of a KfW Efficiency House 70.

To receive the funding, it is important that you submit the application to your financing partner before the "first groundbreaking" and that the complete application documents reach us by 31.03.2016. Please also submit the online confirmation, filled out by the expert and signed by you.

The decisive factor for our funding and product conditions is the date of receipt of the application at KfW.

Therefore, the building permit is not relevant for KfW funding.

Hello,

And I still haven’t understood your statement that KfW70 with gas in 2016 is supposed to be harder to achieve than in 2015.

KfW 70 will no longer exist then; the then current reference house corresponds roughly to today’s KfW 70 and – since the Energy Saving Ordinance – no funding is required.

I think you always justified it by saying that the primary energy factor for electricity is being lowered. But according to my layman’s understanding, that would only put gas at a disadvantage if the reference house is operated with a heat pump and gas now has to compete against the better-rated heat generator heat pump.

Simplified, the reference house is currently described according to the respective valid Energy Saving Ordinance. From that, various measures regarding heat generators are derived. Since the German federal government’s declared goal is to promote renewable energies and completely – preferably by 2020 – to give up fossil fuels, the primary energy factor for electricity was lowered for the first time.

In order to operate the reference house with gas – energy consultants may correct me if I’m mistaken – more insulation and above all renewable energy must be implemented in the house. The previous solar system is, in my opinion, no longer sufficient; at least that is the information from the experts I have spoken to so far. They assume that at least controlled residential ventilation with heat recovery as well as a domestic hot water heat pump (BWWP) must be used. With that, the investment for the gas heat generator is so high that the heat generator + gas topic will not be economically viable. Of course, we will only know exactly once the first single-family houses with gas as a heat generator have been calculated; we will not offer gas condensing boilers at all from January 16.

Rhineland regards

the primary energy factor for electricity was lowered for the first time.

My question was also whether there is always an electrically operated heating system (i.e. heat pump) in the reference house; otherwise, the change in the primary energy factor for electricity has no impact on the feasibility of gas.

at least that is the information from the experts I have spoken to so far. They suspect that,

The requirements are fixed, so why should anyone speculate? If there is a gas condensing boiler in the reference house, how can the primary energy factor for electricity play a role? A heat pump is only advantaged compared to before, but the gas condensing boiler is not disadvantaged.

KfW 70 will no longer exist; the then-current reference house roughly corresponds to today’s KfW 70 and – due to the Energy Saving Ordinance – no subsidy is required.

Until March 31, KfW 70 will still be available, and regardless of that, it concerns the attainability of today’s KfW 70 in 2016, which has slightly stricter requirements than the Energy Saving Ordinance in 2016.

From this perspective, my question remains open as to why KfW70/requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance in 2016 are harder to achieve with a gas condensing boiler in 2016 than in 2015.

Hello,

Until 31.3. there is still KfW 70 and regardless of that, it is about the feasibility of today's KfW70 in 2016, which has somewhat stricter requirements than the Energy Saving Ordinance in 2016.

I almost think we are talking past each other. There is funding until 31.03.16 for a current KfW 70 efficiency house; a house to be built only according to the new Energy Saving Ordinance 16 (approximately today's KfW 70) will no longer be funded. Ergo, the application must still be submitted this year and the funding must be applied for before the first groundbreaking as well as before 31.03.16.

Therefore, the question remains open for me why KfW70/requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance in 2016 are harder to achieve with a gas condensing boiler in 2016 than in 2015.

It becomes more expensive than before (I mean, from 2016 only a primary energy demand of 48 or 49 kWh/m2a is allowed, compared to the current 67); when using a gas condensing boiler according to Erdgas e.V., about EUR 9,000 (TEUR 9) is the amount that can be saved if an air-water heat pump is installed; the purchase costs including installation are now comparable to those of a gas condensing boiler (strictly speaking, the saved gas connection must be accounted for). And – whoever knows how long a refrigerator lasts, also knows that the gas condensing boiler has to be replaced earlier (if only because of the condensate produced) than the air-water heat pump unofficially gives up the ghost. Alternatively, of course, a hybrid heating system – gas condensing device combined with an air-air heat pump – can also be installed. Honestly, I don't yet know about its costs.

If therefore the requirements of the Energy Saving Ordinance 16 can be easily and uncomplicatedly met with an air-water heat pump, why should an economically minded builder invest more money than necessary?

Maybe I should have simply written that the gas lobby will have a harder time from the upcoming Energy Saving Ordinance ops:

PS: Is there actually no energy expert in the forum ....?

Rhineland regards

Interestingly, the simplified verification procedure of KFW from 04/2016 even permits a gas condensing boiler in the 153 program, as stated in the technical appendix under the system technology section, among other things:

[*]Condensing boiler, solar domestic hot water preparation (standard values according to DIN V 4701-10),
central ventilation system with heat recovery (heat supply efficiency > 80%)

If this system combination is met and additionally standardized U-values of the insulation are adhered to, KFW-55 is possible! Also with a gas condensing boiler.

Honestly, I find it strange that this information apparently has not reached any construction company I have been in contact with so far.

Interestingly, the simplified verification process of the KFW since 04/2016 even allows a gas condensing boiler in the 153 program, as stated in the technical annex under system technology, among other things:

[*]Condensing boiler, solar domestic hot water preparation (standard values according to DIN V 4701-10),
central ventilation system with heat recovery (heat supply efficiency > 80%)

If this system combination is met and standardized U-values of the insulation are also adhered to, KFW-55 is possible! Even with a gas condensing boiler.

Well, if you are convinced that the statements in the 153 program reflect reality and you want to build a massive KfW 55 efficiency house, I would suggest that you ask the KfW to provide you with the required proof.

Honestly, I find it strange that this information apparently has not yet reached any construction company I have been in contact with so far.

Because in the above-mentioned combination it mostly doesn’t work even today.

Rhine greetings from the road