Bremer Energie Institut and Institut für Wohnen und Umwelt conducted a study for the KfW to investigate the effects of KfW financing programmes for energy efficiency in the building sector, more specifically the investigation focused on measures supported within the programmes „Energieeffizient Sanieren“ (energy efficient refurbishing) and „Energieeffizient Bauen“ (energy efficient construction) respectively „Ökologisch Bauen“ (ecologcial construction). The analysis covered:

• type and scope of the implemented energy saving measures in heat insulation and supply
• savings in final energy, i. e. the savings in building inhabitants’ consumption of energy carriers (e.g. natural gas, heating oil, electricity, district heat, biomass)
• reduction of green house gas emissions
• monetary savings of heating costs
• employment effects

The study investigated the reduction of green house gas emissions that were realized within the supported buildings (retrofit and new construction) due to the lower consumption of final energy. The KfW underlines that these energy-efficient buildings are an important contribution to the goals of the German federal government of achieving a green house gas reduction by 40% in the field of private households. The energy saving measures benefit the owners and tenants in form of reduced heating bills. Further positive effects arise for local small and medium-sized building enterprises and trade.

The complete report as well as the press release from KfW can be downloaded via the following links from the website of KfW (German only). Report (German) Press relase (German)