Insights 21.11.2024
Germany: Achieving a GEG-Compliant Property Portfolio with Adaptive Hydraulic Balancing
Jasmin Eckert
Rising energy prices, new legal requirements, and CO₂ reduction targets present substantial challenges for real estate companies, housing associations, and property owners. Buildings account for over 38% of global emissions, making them a key player in the energy transition. With the updated Building Energy Act (GEG) as of October 2024, owners of multi-family properties must now assess and optimize their heating systems, including hydraulic balancing to enhance efficiency. Automating adaptive hydraulic balancing provides not only regulatory benefits but also long-term value enhancement and cost-saving opportunities.
Legal Requirements and Solution
The revised GEG mandates that building heating systems be optimized to reduce energy consumption and promote the use of renewable energy. Hydraulic balancing is especially relevant and is required for both new constructions and existing buildings. This measure improves heat distribution in heating systems, lowers energy usage, and reduces heating costs for tenants. Moreover, hydraulic balancing meets new legal requirements without costly system overhauls or direct implementation of renewable energy sources.
Up to 40% Energy Savings and Reduced CO₂ Costs
Accurate balancing and optimized heating operation, such as with our PAUL Performance solution, can save up to 40% in energy, significantly reducing CO₂ tax. This fully automated optimization greatly cuts emissions, supporting real estate companies in meeting their climate targets—an essential reputational factor, particularly in the public and private housing sectors.
Simple Implementation and Long-Term Benefits
The GEG recognizes hydraulic balancing as a proven optimization measure. By implementing optimized heating technology, property value can be sustainably increased and secured over the long term. This also enhances ESG compliance, which is becoming increasingly important to many investors.
With such system optimization, existing properties can also be upgraded to prepare for future measures like heat pumps or photovoltaic systems. This is a crucial foundation for investors and municipal companies that prioritize sustainable real estate, especially in regions without access to district heating.
FAQ on Hydraulic Balancing
What is hydraulic balancing?
In short: Hydraulic balancing ensures that heating water flows evenly and as needed through all radiators in an apartment or building. Without this balancing, some rooms may become too warm, while others remain too cold.
Why is hydraulic balancing important?
1. For longer heating system lifespan
Balanced load distribution across all components of the heating system reduces wear and extends the system's lifespan.
2. To prevent noise
In unbalanced heating systems, disruptive flow noises often occur. Hydraulic balancing can significantly reduce these noises.
3. For energy savings
An optimally adjusted heating system requires less energy to reach the desired temperature. This lowers tenants’ heating costs and benefits the environment.
4. For even heat distribution
Hydraulic balancing ensures that all rooms in an apartment or building are heated evenly, avoiding cold spots and overheated areas.
Why don’t the radiators feel as hot anymore?
The heating system operates optimally even if the radiators no longer feel as hot as they used to. Thanks to hydraulic balancing, the system works more efficiently at lower temperatures, allowing tenants to enjoy comfortable room temperatures in a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly way.
How does PAUL Performance work?
The system continuously maintains hydraulic balancing in a building, ensuring that heating water flows evenly throughout all areas. Without balancing, the system becomes heavily impaired, leading to higher energy consumption and increased costs.