The reference building according to GEG: What you need to know

The reference building according to the Building Energy Act (GEG) is a central concept in the field of energy assessment for buildings. Anchored in legislation, it plays a significant role in the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. In our blog post, we take a closer look at the reference building and the important innovations and requirements planned for 2024. Find out what these developments mean for builders, building services engineers, and architects, and what steps are necessary for the optimal implementation of the reference building. Join us as we dive into the world of energy standards and learn how the reference building contributes significantly to energy efficiency and sustainability in construction.

What is the reference building according to the GEG?

The reference building is a theoretical model that corresponds to the planned building in terms of its geometry, use, and size, but uses specified standard values for the components, building services, and energy supply. The Building Energy Act (GEG), which consolidated the previous regulations of the EnEV, EEWärmeG, and EnEG in 2020, uses this model to evaluate the energy quality of a new building or a comprehensively renovated building.

It represents an average energy status that is used as a reference for comparison with actual buildings. Various parameters such as primary energy demand, transmission heat loss, and total energy demand are taken into account. It specifies which building elements and components must be installed and in what quality in order to achieve an optimal energy balance. In addition, aspects such as airtightness, thermal insulation, and building services engineering play a decisive role. The reference building thus plays an important role in determining the energy standard of a building and serves as a benchmark for compliance with legal requirements regarding energy efficiency. It enables an objective assessment of the energy quality of a building and serves as a benchmark for various construction projects. By using the reference building as a point of reference, buildings can be designed in such a way that their energy consumption is reduced and their environmental impact is minimized. It thus contributes significantly to the achievement of climate protection goals and supports the transition to resource-efficient and sustainable construction.

The definition and calculation of the reference building according to the GEG is based on standardized procedures and guidelines that ensure uniform assessment and evaluation. The establishment of clear criteria and values creates transparency, which enables the comparable evaluation of different buildings.

The ongoing optimization and adaptation of the requirements for the reference building are therefore crucial to ensuring continuous progress in the field of energy efficiency in buildings. Continuous development of the reference building can promote innovative technologies and efficient building standards to ensure ecologically and economically sound construction in the long term. The requirements for the reference building are dynamic and subject to continuous adjustments to reflect progress in the field of energy efficiency. It is therefore important for all parties involved to keep themselves regularly informed about current changes and innovations to ensure that the planned building complies with legal requirements and meets the desired standard.

The role of the reference building in the GEG

The reference building plays a central role in the Building Energy Act (GEG) and serves as a benchmark for assessing the energy efficiency of buildings. It defines a standard value that new buildings and renovation projects can use as a guide for their energy performance. By setting benchmarks and requirements, the reference building enables different construction projects to be compared and thus contributes significantly to the implementation of energy-efficient buildings.

The GEG defines clear specifications for the reference building, which are regularly updated in line with current standards and technological developments. These reference values serve as guidelines for builders, planners, and architects to ensure that the energy performance of buildings meets legal requirements.

The parameters of the reference building are crucial for assessing the energy efficiency of a construction project. They include aspects such as primary energy demand, transmission heat loss, heat transfer coefficient, and other energy indicators that characterize the sustainability and efficiency of a building.

By serving as a benchmark for energy requirements, the reference building helps to reduce energy consumption in the building sector, promote the use of renewable energies, and thus make an important contribution to climate protection. The continuous development and adaptation of the reference building to technological innovations ensures that the energy performance of buildings is continuously improved.

Compliance with the specifications of the reference building in the GEG is of great importance for builders and planners in order to meet legal requirements and benefit from the advantages of energy-efficient buildings in the long term. The energy efficiency standards set by the reference building directly influence the planning, implementation, and evaluation of construction projects. It serves as a guideline for compliance with legal requirements and thus promotes sustainable construction. Careful planning and execution based on the standards of the reference building is therefore an important step towards sustainable and future-proof construction projects.

Important values and standards 2024

In 2024, new guidelines and standards for the reference building came into force in accordance with the Building Energy Act (GEG). These changes aim to further increase the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce CO2 emissions. The new values and standards specify the energy requirements that a reference building must meet in order to serve as a benchmark for the energy efficiency of new buildings and renovations.

The following aspects are particularly relevant:

1. Primary energy demand: The maximum permissible primary energy demand of the actual building must not exceed the value of the reference building. For new buildings, stricter energy performance values must be met in 2024 compared to previous years. This tightening of the regulations is in line with the German government’s goals of further reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in the building sector.
2. Transmission heat loss: The specific transmission heat loss of the planned building, which describes the heat exchange via the building envelope, must also correspond to or be below the standard values of the reference building. In 2024, these limit values were adjusted to promote better insulation and thus lower heat losses.
3. Proportion of renewable energies: The GEG requires a minimum proportion of renewable energies to cover heating and cooling requirements. This value was further increased in 2024. For builders, this means that a higher proportion of the energy supply must be covered by renewable sources such as solar thermal energy, heat pumps, or biomass.
4. Air tightness and ventilation: A high standard of air tightness in the building and the use of efficient ventilation systems with heat recovery are required. The GEG thus promotes not only energy savings, but also living comfort and the prevention of structural damage caused by moisture.
5. Sustainability aspects: In addition to energy aspects, sustainability criteria such as the life cycle analysis of the materials used and recyclability are also increasingly coming into focus. This can also indirectly influence the evaluation of a building in comparison to the reference building.

What does this mean for builders and planners?

For builders and planners, GEG 2024 means precise planning and coordination of all energy-saving measures. It is essential that the planned buildings perform at least as well as the reference building in all relevant aspects. These include:

• Optimization of the building envelope: Good insulation of walls, windows, roofs, and floors is essential to meet the requirements for transmission heat loss.
• Efficient heating and ventilation technology: The use of modern heating systems that utilize renewable energies, as well as ventilation systems with heat recovery, are crucial for keeping primary energy requirements low.
• Use of renewable energies: A high proportion of renewable energies should be integrated into the planning stage in order to meet legal requirements and reduce the carbon footprint.

Tips for optimal implementation

When implementing the Building Energy Act (GEG) optimally, several aspects must be taken into account in order to achieve an energy-efficient solution. One crucial tip is to use high-quality, energy-efficient materials and components. The requirements and specifications of the GEG regarding thermal insulation, airtightness, and energy savings should also be observed.

Another important point is the integration of modern ventilation technology to ensure controlled air circulation and heat recovery. Active fans with heat recovery can achieve efficient energy savings, which has a positive effect on the overall efficiency of the reference building. Decentralized ventilation units from Ventomaxx with heat recovery are available in the WRG RONDO, WRG PLUS, and WRG MAKANI® R / Q series. They stand for high-quality, decentralized ventilation comfort with extremely energy-efficient heat recovery and above-average protection against outside noise.

Furthermore, the planning and design of building services plays a decisive role. Tailor-made and well-designed building services that are tailored to the specific requirements of the reference building can lead to a significant improvement in energy efficiency.

In addition to technical implementation, it is also very important to take user behavior and needs into account. Targeted training of the building’s residents or users in the use of building technology and energy efficiency can help to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.

In addition, regular maintenance and inspection measures should be carried out to ensure the functionality of the technology and to identify any problems at an early stage. Continuous monitoring and adaptation of building technology to changing requirements is crucial for the long-term and sustainable energy efficiency of the reference building.

Consulting with experienced experts in the field of energy saving and building technology can also help to ensure the optimal implementation of the reference building. An individual consultation can identify specific requirements and opportunities in order to develop a tailor-made solution.

Outlook: The future development of the reference building

The future development of the reference building according to the GEG promises exciting changes and further developments in the field of energy efficiency in buildings. With the continuous focus on sustainability and environmental protection, the requirements for the reference building are likely to become even more stringent. New technologies and innovative approaches will play a decisive role in meeting energy requirements and realizing even more energy-efficient buildings.

With a view to 2024, initial trends toward increased measures to reduce energy consumption and meet climate protection targets are already emerging. A look into the future makes it clear that the reference building will play a key role in achieving energy standards and environmental targets.

It is foreseeable that the future development of the reference building will increasingly focus on holistic approaches that take into account not only energy efficiency, but also the use of renewable energies and the reduction of CO2 emissions. The networking of buildings, the implementation of intelligent technologies, and the integration of renewable energy sources will be key elements in the further development of the reference building.

The focus will be on sustainable construction, the optimization of energy consumption, and the efficient use of resources. Targeted legal requirements and regulations will ensure that future buildings meet increasingly stringent requirements.

It is crucial that builders, planners, and architects are informed about the planned developments at an early stage and deal with the future requirements in order to set the course for the buildings of the future today.

Further exciting articles

You can find more informative content on topics related to energy efficiency and building technology on our own website:

• Air tightness of buildings – Learn everything you need to know about the air tightness of buildings and why it is so crucial for a healthy indoor climate and energy efficiency.
• The role of sensors and automation in modern ventilation systems – Discover how sensors and automation improve the efficiency and comfort of modern ventilation systems.
• The transition from EnEV to GEG: Paving the way for a greener future – Learn how decentralized ventilation systems can contribute to improving building classification in accordance with the Energy Saving Ordinance and how they contribute to sustainability in building technology.

By the way:

For detailed information on standards and legal requirements for the design of passive, decentralized outdoor air vents, we recommend our white paper. It offers valuable insights and practical tips for implementing the legal requirements.

=> Download the white paper

The reference building according to the GEG is a key instrument for ensuring energy efficiency in new buildings and renovated existing buildings. The requirements for 2024 are stricter than before in order to meet the goals of climate protection and the energy transition. By having a precise understanding of the current requirements and changes coming in 2024, builders and planners can ensure that their buildings comply with the requirements and are energy-efficient. A look at key values and standards reveals how the reference building in the GEG influences the construction industry. Builders and planners must be fully aware of these requirements and implement them in order to construct future-proof, sustainable, and energy-efficient buildings. With careful planning and the use of modern technologies, the high standards of the reference building can not only be achieved, but often exceeded.