Germany advances energy efficiency through research and rapid renovation models

Efforts to improve energy efficiency in older German residential buildings are advancing through new technical research and accelerated renovation models.

In Hamm, a collaborative project between Bauvereins Hamm and the Institute for Sector Coupling in the Energy Transition (IfSK) at Hamm-Lippstadt University is evaluating sustainable heating solutions for a 1965 multi-family building. Following a measurement campaign to analyze real-world operating behavior, researchers are now assessing various renovation concepts. The study focuses on the viability of heat pumps, solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, and energy sharing to create economically and ecologically sound heating systems.

Separately, a concept known as the ‘renovation sprint’ is being implemented to speed up building upgrades. Developed by engineer Ronald Meyer, this method uses a renovation coach to coordinate different trades to work simultaneously rather than sequentially. A pilot project in Hamburg successfully upgraded a 1962 house to Efficiency House Standard 70 in just 22 working days, reducing energy demand by over 90 percent. The model is expanding to Ludwigsburg, where the city is providing subsidies to encourage homeowners to adopt this accelerated approach.