New single-family house, is an energy saving certificate required?

Hello everyone,

we are currently planning the new construction of a single-family house. We will not be using a KFW loan. Nevertheless, we want to (and must according to the Building Energy Act) build the house as a 55 efficiency house. Do we need an energy consultant for this and if so, which specific services or proofs must be provided (without funding)?

Thank you for your help!

A heat demand calculation is prepared for the building application, as the house must demonstrably meet the requirements of the [Gebäudeenergiegesetz], which is the case for an EH55. The only difference is that, since the [Gebäudeenergiegesetz] has caught up with the previous Energy Saving Ordinance standard, the EH55 is no longer already a "next level" and is accordingly no longer subsidized as KfW55. You don't need to worry about this; the architect or the building application preparer of the construction company or house manufacturer will take care of it.

Thank you for your response! We will only hire a building planner and not a construction company or a prefabricated house manufacturer. Nevertheless, I have another question. Who or how will it finally be checked whether the newly built single-family house really meets the 55 standard? Is it sufficient that the planner designs the house as a 55 standard for the building permit? Who checks whether the necessary insulation etc. has actually been implemented?

Nevertheless, I have one more question here. Who or how is it ultimately checked whether the newly built single-family house really meets the 55 standard? Is it sufficient that the planner designs the house with the 55 standard for the building permit? Who checks if the necessary insulation etc. has actually been implemented.

As already written, an energy demand calculation/thermal insulation certificate must be created. It is part of the building application. Without it, you cannot build.
In the end, no one checks it, but the person who stamps the completion notice is personally liable for it.
And the energy certificate is also based on the assumption that you build correctly.

We will only hire a building planner and not a construction company or prefabricated house manufacturer.

Your building permit applicant must be authorized to submit plans – where they obtain this authorization can vary. Hopefully, you are not one of the dreamers who want to build according to the approved plans and gamble on their luck by seeking salvation in individual contracting (preferably combined with own work). For this, read my posts on the search terms "Eigenvergabe / Einzelvergabe," Gerddieter, and house construction schedule.

Nevertheless, I have one more question here. Who or how is it finally checked whether the newly built single-family house really complies with the 55-standard? Is it sufficient that the planner designs the house as 55-standard in the building permit? Who verifies whether the necessary insulation, etc. has actually been implemented?

The building permit applies exactly to the approved construction project, not to arbitrary parts of it. With the notification of construction completion, you or your construction manager also give the authority the go-ahead for a spot check. The house only needs to comply with the legal standard of the Building Energy Act, which EH55 does not significantly exceed. Basically, it is already questionable how seriously one can still offer EH55 as though it were a superior level.