Energy efficiency is more important today than ever — rising energy prices and climate change require sustainable solutions. But how can owners reduce their energy costs in a targeted manner while protecting the environment and resources? Energy consulting uncovers potential savings and offers concrete solutions that pay off in the long term.

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What is energy consulting?

An energy consultancy analyses the energy consumption of a building and shows measures to improve efficiency. It examines the building envelope, the heating system and electricity consumption. Residential and commercial buildings are individually advised. It is intended to uncover savings potential and offer solutions for sustainable and cost-effective energy supply.

What services does energy consulting include?

Energy consulting comprises various services, from analyzing the energy status of a building to developing specific suggestions for improvement. The most important services are:

• Building analysis: The energy consultant tests the building fabric, such as walls, windows and roof, as well as the building technology. This reveals weak points in thermal insulation and energy supply.
• Energetic evaluation: Current energy consumption is analysed and compared with modern standards. This highlights potential savings that can be achieved through technical or construction measures.
• Action plan: The consultant draws up a list of specific recommendations, such as improving insulation, installing a heat pump or integrating a solar system. These suggestions often include a cost-benefit analysis.
• Funding advice: The availability of funding programs, such as grants or loans, is checked.
• Implementation support (optional): Some energy consultants offer additional support in selecting specialist companies, applying for funding and implementing measures.

Why is it worthwhile?

Energy advice is the key to lower energy costs, sustainable living and a future-proof building. The most important reasons in detail:

• cost savings: An energy consultancy identifies weak points such as inadequate insulation or outdated heating systems. With the proposed measures, heating and electricity costs can be significantly reduced in the long term.
• environmental protection: Implementing energy-efficient measures reduces the building's CO₂ emissions. This not only helps the environment, but also supports national climate goals.
• Use funding: The advice shows which grants and loans are available. This allows owners to significantly reduce renovation costs.
• Meet legal requirements: Energy advice helps to comply with legal requirements such as the Building Energy Act (GEG). This is particularly important when selling or renting.
• Increase in the value of the property: An energy-efficient building often achieves higher sales prices and is more attractive for tenants. Measures such as insulation or the installation of a heat pump increase the attractiveness.
• Long-term planning security: The advice provides clear recommendations for action that make the property future-proof and independent of rising energy prices.

Who needs energy advice?

Energy advice is useful for many groups of people and situations. An overview of the most important use cases:

• Homeowners in need of renovation: Owners of older buildings benefit from an analysis of energy weak points and receive concrete recommendations for modernization.
• Builders of new buildings: Energy advice on energy-efficient planning of buildings and allows the optimal use of funding.
• lessors: Landlords can increase the attractiveness of their properties through energy measures, reduce energy costs for tenants and meet legal requirements more easily.
• Buyers of existing properties: Before buying a property, the advice enables a realistic assessment of future energy costs and renovation needs.
• tradesmen: Through energy consulting, companies reduce their operating costs, improve their CO₂ balance and meet increasing sustainability requirements.
• Municipalities and public institutions: Public buildings, such as schools or town halls, can increase energy efficiency through energy advice and set an example in climate protection.
• Tenants with high energy consumption: Tenants can also benefit from the advice by identifying energy guzzlers and implementing household improvements.
• Funding applicants: Anyone who wants to apply for funding for renovations or new buildings often needs energy advice as a basis.

How much does an energy consultation cost?

While basic consultations are often free of charge, comprehensive analyses and planning can cost several thousand euros. Energy consultants usually charge around 100 euros per hour for this. The exact costs of energy consulting depend on the type of advice and the scope of services.

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Thanks to comprehensive funding programs, owners only have to bear a small proportion of the total costs in most cases.

Is it being promoted?

There are numerous funding programs available to cover the costs of energy consulting. These significantly reduce the financial burden and support both individual measures and extensive restructuring projects. An overview of the most important options:

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How does an energy consultation work?

Energy consulting follows a clearly structured process that takes into account all relevant aspects of a building. This is what the process looks like step by step:

1. Initial consultation and clarification of needs: The first step is to discuss the goals and requirements of the consultation. The energy consultant collects basic information about the building, such as year of construction, heating system and insulation level.
2. On-site appointment: The energy consultant inspects the building and analyses its energy status. This includes inspecting the building envelope, windows, heating technology and electrical consumers.
3. Data collection and analysis: All collected data is documented and evaluated. The energy consultant calculates energy losses, identifies weak points and examines potential savings.
4. Preparation of the consulting report: Based on the analysis, the consultant prepares a detailed report. This includes an assessment of the current energy status and concrete measures for improvement, including a cost-benefit analysis.
5. Presentation and discussion of results: The energy consultant presents the results in a personal conversation. Here, all questions can be clarified and the recommended measures can be prioritized.
6. Implementation support (optional): On request, the energy consultant can help you plan and implement the measures, for example by arranging specialist companies or applying for funding.

When is an energy consultant mandatory?

An energy consultant is mandatory if Subsidies as part of federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG) be requested, at Refurbishment to an efficiency house or at Preparation of an energy certificate for new buildings. An energy consultant is also often required for major renovations under the Building Energy Act (GEG) and for listed buildings.

Where can I find energy consultants?

When finding an energy consultant, you should pay attention to qualifications. Energy consultants should be certified and included in the energy efficiency expert list (EEE list). They should also have experience in the required areas (e.g. renovation, heating systems).

You can find an energy consultant here:

• Energy efficiency expert list (EEE list): An official database of certified energy consultants, available at www.energy-efficiency-experten.de.
• Consumer Center: The consumer centers offer initial free energy consultations and can recommend qualified consultants.
• GIH Federal Association: Here Find a network of building energy consultants who specialize in various areas of consulting.
• German Energy Consultant Network (DEN): platform to search for experts in the area with a focus on energy consulting.

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