In Germany, anyone who wants to build an energy-efficient building or renovate an old building does not have to do it entirely out of pocket. There are a number of ways to obtain financing and / or subsidies for heating and other measures. At the federal institutions (KfW, BAFA) you can get low-interest loans and grants for your new building or your heating modernization. In some federal states there are also interesting regional funding programs. In addition, financing offers from the house banks and other financing partners may also be of interest in some cases.
Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG)
NEW FROM 01.01.2021 - Gradual introduction
The federal funding for efficient buildings is intended to provide even stronger incentives for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energies and thus make a decisive contribution to achieving the 2030 climate targets in the building sector. At the same time, the energetic building subsidy is being completely reorganized and further developed with the BEG.
For the first time, funding for energy efficiency and renewable energies will be brought together under one roof with federal funding for efficient buildings. In the case of new buildings and complete renovations, the use of renewable energies will be promoted even more in the future.
Funding is offered as both grant and loan funding in order to best meet the respective needs. At the same time, the federal funding for efficient buildings reduces the complexity of the funding landscape and thus the bureaucratic effort.
With the federal funding for efficient buildings, a single funding program replaces four existing funding programs (CO2 building renovation program, implemented by KfW with the funding programs "Energy Efficient Building and Renovation" (EBS), the market incentive program (MAP), implemented by BAFA "Heating with renewable energies “, The Energy Efficiency Incentive Program (APEE) and the Heating Optimization Program (HZO)).
In the future, an application will be sufficient to be able to take advantage of all funding offers. These are submitted either to the German Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle or to the KfW.
1. BEG EM (individual measures) - only building stock / renovation
From 01.01.2021 - grant funding:
The Market Incentive Program (MAP) will expire on 31.12.2020 and will be replaced by the BEG individual measures from 01.01.2021. However, these only apply to existing buildings. From now on, only efficiency house promotion via KfW will be possible for new buildings; promotion of individual measures will be discontinued.
The well-known subsidy, rates from the market incentive program are continued here. For the use of a heat pump in modernization, 35 percent of the investment costs are incurred (for example a replacement of gas heating or an old heat pump with a new heat pump). When you exchange an old oil heater for a heat pump, you even get 45 percent of the investment costs back.
What are the investment costs?
Eligible investment costs are the acquisition costs of the supported heat pump system:
- the heat pump as a heat generator
- the cost of installing and commissioning the heat pump
- the heat source (for example the earth probe or the earth collector)
- Technology and energy management systems (for example smart home systems)
- Heat storage (hot water storage, heating buffer and combined storage)
- Environment measures:
- Furnishing or redesign of the heating/technology room
- Heat distribution and heat transfer in the building stock (for example acquisition costs of surface heating systems or highly efficient circulation pumps)
NEW: a maximum of 60,000 euros can be counted as eligible costs per unit.
Up to 50% support with iSFP (individual refurbishment timetable):
If an iSFP has already been drawn up which includes the energy rehabilitation measure for which funding is requested, the rate of funding for that measure will be increased by an additional 5%.
If an iSEP has already been drawn up which includes the energy rehabilitation measure for which funding is requested, the rate of funding for that measure will be increased by an additional 5 %. However, the measure must be implemented within a maximum period of 15 years after the iSFP has been drawn up.
Grants under the BEG EM can be applied online by BAFA from 02.01.2021.
Requirements for heat pumps
The annual COP previously relevant for funding is replaced by the seasonal space heating efficiency = ƞs (ETAs).
Eligible heat pumps must reach at least the following values under average climatic conditions:
 | [Translate to Englisch:] alpha innotec - ETAs-Daten85 KB Download |
From 01.01.2021, all eligible heat generators must record all energy consumption as well as the amount of heat generated. In addition, heat pumps must have interfaces that enable them to be activated and operated automatically. This can be proven by the label "SG-ready". A certification according to one of the established European series regulations (EHPA, Keymark, EUROVENT) or individual tests according to EN 14511 / EN 14825 by an ISO 17025 accredited testing institute must be available. For earth probe drilling, the following applies unchanged: submission of a DVW´GW W 120-2 certificate as well as proof of no-fault insurance.
2. BEG WG (residential buildings) - New construction and building stock / Renovation
Until 01.07.2021 - KfW loan with repayment grants:
Applications for full renovations and efficient new construction of residential and non-residential buildings can still be submitted to KfW as usual for the corresponding programs "Energeieffizient Bauen und Sanieren"(energy efficient building and renovation.
From 01.07.2021 - KfW loan with repayment grants or share promotion:
With the new BEG efficiency house funding, the KfW efficiency houses will be replaced both in the new building and in the renovation. In the future, there will be a choice between low-interest loan incl. repayment grant as well as a new share subsidy. In both variants, a project receives the same amount of funding.
In principle, the new funding guidelines only provide for the efficiency house level EFH-40 NH (building with sustainability certificate).
As before, there are no special technical requirements for the heat pump; for the calculation and certification of the efficiency house standard, the corresponding TMA of the efficiency house guidelines must be taken into account.
Table for residential buildings - renovation:
| Efficiency house Standard | from 01.07.2021 (BEG) |
| monument | 25 % of max. 120.000 € /au |
| monument EE and/or NH | 30 % of max. 150.000 € /au |
100 | 27,5 % of max. 120.000 € /au |
100 EE | 32,5 % of max. 150.000 € /au |
| 85 | 30 % of max. 120.000 € /au |
| 85 EE and/or NH | 35 % of max. 150.000 € /au |
| 70 | 35 % of max. 120.000 € /au |
| 70 EE and/or NH | 40 % of max. 150.000 € /au |
55 | 40 % of max. 120.000 € /au |
| 55 EE and/or NH | 45 % of max. 150.000 € /au |
40 | 45 % of max. 120.000 € /au |
| 40 EE and/or NH | 50 % of max. 150.000 € /au |
According to the BEG, the funding share from 1 July 2021 will be 50% for the costs of energy planning and construction supervision as well as sustainability certification. Maximum eligible costs: the percentage refers to maximum eligible costs from construction or acquisition; transaction and land costs are excluded.
3. BEG NWG (non-residential building) - New construction and building stock / renovation
Until 01.07.2021 - KfW loan with repayment grants:
Applications for full renovations and efficient new construction of residential and non-residential buildings can still be submitted to KfW as usual for the corresponding programs "Energeieffizient Bauen und Sanieren" (energy efficient building and renovation).
From 01.07.2021 - KfW loan with repayment grants or share promotion:
With the new BEG efficiency house funding, the KfW efficiency houses will be replaced both in the new building and in the renovation. In the future, there will be a choice between low-interest loan incl. repayment grant as well as a new share subsidy. In both variants, a project receives the same amount of funding.
In principle, the new funding guidelines only provide for the efficiency house level EFH-40 NH (building with sustainability certificate).
As before, there are no special technical requirements for the heat pump; for the calculation and certification of the efficiency house standard, the corresponding TMA of the efficiency house guidelines must be taken into account.
Table for non-residential buildings - renovation:
| Efficiency house Standard | from 01.07.2021 (BEG) |
| monument | 25 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
| monument EE and/or NH | 30 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
100 | 27,5 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
100 EE | 32,5 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
| 85 | - |
| 85 EE and/or NH | - |
| 70 | 35 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
| 70 EE and/or NH | 40 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
55 | 40 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
| 55 EE and/or NH | 45 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
40 | 45 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
| 40 EE and/or NH | 50 % of max. € 30 million or € 2 000 per m² floor space |
According to the BEG, the funding share from 1 July 2021 will be 50% for the costs of energy planning and construction supervision as well as sustainability certification. Maximum eligible costs: the percentage refers to maximum eligible costs from construction or acquisition; transaction and land costs are excluded.
Regional programs
Federal funding for efficient buildings is available throughout Germany. In addition, there are a number of regional programs, which vary from state to state and which can be partly combined with the federal heat pump support programs. So it can be very rewarding to take these funding opportunities into account when planning.
House banks and financing partners
It is not only public credit institutions such as KfW and state banks that provide offers to finance housing in the programme. Other banks are also dealing with the issue of construction finance. So it may be worthwhile to look for a financing partner in addition to KfW. The disadvantage of this option: You have to forego the payment subsidy. Therefore, compare exactly which variant is the best in your case.
Contact
The alpha innotec Förderservice (funding service) offers the all-round carefree package in terms of heating conveying and guarantees the highest funding amounts for your heat pumps with minimal effort.
(alpha innotec - ait deutschland GmbH assusmes no liability for the topicality, accuracy and completeness of the information provided. Exclusion of liability against the author are generally excluded, provided that there is no demonstrable or grossly negligent fault on the part of the author. All contents are non-binding.)