Decide on energy saving measures in the WEG
As a general rule, changes affecting the common property must be approved by a simple majority of the condominium owners' association. This regulation naturally also applies to energy-saving measures.
Before taking any action, the question of cost allocation should therefore be discussed and the majority situation clarified. In fact, the rules for cost allocation change depending on how many of the owners agree to a change.
Only in the event that a double qualified majority is reached or the construction measure is amortized, the costs will be distributed among all owners according to their co-ownership shares. In the case of a simple majority, only the owners who have given their consent pay.
Energetic renovation
First of all, a few facts and figures. When we talk about energy-saving measures in the context of WEG, we usually talk first and foremost about modernization and refurbishment measures. On average, these can save between 16 and 30 percent of energy and costs. In every fifth building, it can be even more.
The goals to be achieved by such measures are obvious: to reduce ancillary costs and protect the environment. Which measures are suitable depends, of course, on the property and its age or the modernization measures that have already been carried out.
When you hear the word refurbishment, you usually think of the costs involved. Whether energy refurbishment is worthwhile depends on the individual case, and yet we would like to take a look here at the possible cost savings if a house can be brought into a better efficiency class through refurbishment.
- While an unrefurbished building often generates heating costs of around €40/m2, these can be reduced to €17/m2 in a well refurbished old building.
- For a new building with minimum requirements, they amount to 12€/m2, but can drop to 3€/m2 in case of reconstruction to the highest standard.
It is therefore worthwhile, as a WEG, to take a close look and have an energy consultant calculate the profitability of individual renovations. Which renovation work is actually so energy-saving that it makes financial sense in the short term does not depend on the property alone. Local conditions such as the weather, the micro-location and/or the orientation of the property also have a major influence on which measures pay off.
Insulation
The first measure that comes into question in the context of energy refurbishment is insulation. It is usually the biggest factor when it comes to the energy efficiency of a property, because much of the heat generated simply escapes without good insulation. The cost of such a change depends partly on the standard of the house and partly on the material and labor costs, which continue to vary widely by region. In principle, these are given as a price per square meter when obtaining a quote.
Replacement of the heating system
In second place is the conversion to new and modern heating systems. Especially with old heating systems such as oil or gas heating, it can be worthwhile for the WEG to invest. New systems such as heat pumps or solar thermal systems can ensure that hot water and heating costs are significantly reduced overall and make a contribution to the environment. Of course, whether such a measure is worthwhile still depends on the age of the current boiler, the heating system, and the energy footprint of the building as a whole. However, compared to a fifteen-year-old system, a modern low-temperature and combustion boiler can reduce heating costs by up to 20%. Therefore, a new heating system often pays for itself within a few years.
Smaller measures
Smaller measures such as a house-wide night setback and outdoor temperature sensors or insulation of the pipelines also make sense within the framework of the WEG. In this way, costs can be saved quickly without actually requiring large investments, if your homeowners' association does not already make use of these means. Furthermore, hydraulic balancing is a sensible measure for saving energy. This is possible if there are presettable thermostatic valves on the radiators. This is already mandatory for gas-heated residential buildings with more than five parties.
Optimize the power consumption
Particularly as a homeowners' association, you can save quite a bit when it comes to electricity consumption. Of course, everyone is initially responsible for the electricity consumption in their own household, but money can still be saved by using energy-saving lamps or LED alternatives in the hallway, for example. In addition, it can make sense for a WEG to purchase a photovoltaic system to reduce overall electricity costs. At this point, some good news, even the modernization of the heating system already discussed can make a huge difference in electricity consumption. A modern heating pump, for example, consumes up to 80% less than an old one.
The change to Ralph is uncomplicated.
Energetic renovation
First of all, a few facts and figures. When we talk about energy-saving measures in the context of WEG, we usually talk first and foremost about modernization and refurbishment measures. On average, these can save between 16 and 30 percent of energy and costs. In every fifth building, it can be even more.
The goals to be achieved by such measures are obvious: to reduce ancillary costs and protect the environment. Which measures are suitable depends, of course, on the property and its age or the modernization measures that have already been carried out.
When you hear the word refurbishment, you usually think of the costs involved. Whether energy refurbishment is worthwhile depends on the individual case, and yet we would like to take a look here at the possible cost savings if a house can be brought into a better efficiency class through refurbishment.
- While an unrefurbished building often generates heating costs of around €40/m2, these can be reduced to €17/m2 in a well refurbished old building.
- For a new building with minimum requirements, they amount to 12€/m2, but can drop to 3€/m2 in case of reconstruction to the highest standard.
It is therefore worthwhile, as a WEG, to take a close look and have an energy consultant calculate the profitability of individual renovations. Which renovation work is actually so energy-saving that it makes financial sense in the short term does not depend on the property alone. Local conditions such as the weather, the micro-location and/or the orientation of the property also have a major influence on which measures pay off.
Insulation
The first measure that comes into question in the context of energy refurbishment is insulation. It is usually the biggest factor when it comes to the energy efficiency of a property, because much of the heat generated simply escapes without good insulation. The cost of such a change depends partly on the standard of the house and partly on the material and labor costs, which continue to vary widely by region. In principle, these are given as a price per square meter when obtaining a quote.
Replacement of the heating system
In second place is the conversion to new and modern heating systems. Especially with old heating systems such as oil or gas heating, it can be worthwhile for the WEG to invest. New systems such as heat pumps or solar thermal systems can ensure that hot water and heating costs are significantly reduced overall and make a contribution to the environment. Of course, whether such a measure is worthwhile still depends on the age of the current boiler, the heating system, and the energy footprint of the building as a whole. However, compared to a fifteen-year-old system, a modern low-temperature and combustion boiler can reduce heating costs by up to 20%. Therefore, a new heating system often pays for itself within a few years.
Smaller measures
Smaller measures such as a house-wide night setback and outdoor temperature sensors or insulation of the pipelines also make sense within the framework of the WEG. In this way, costs can be saved quickly without actually requiring large investments, if your homeowners' association does not already make use of these means. Furthermore, hydraulic balancing is a sensible measure for saving energy. This is possible if there are presettable thermostatic valves on the radiators. This is already mandatory for gas-heated residential buildings with more than five parties.
Optimize the power consumption
Particularly as a homeowners' association, you can save quite a bit when it comes to electricity consumption. Of course, everyone is initially responsible for the electricity consumption in their own household, but money can still be saved by using energy-saving lamps or LED alternatives in the hallway, for example. In addition, it can make sense for a WEG to purchase a photovoltaic system to reduce overall electricity costs. At this point, some good news, even the modernization of the heating system already discussed can make a huge difference in electricity consumption. A modern heating pump, for example, consumes up to 80% less than an old one.
