Bureaucracy: GEG demands free consultation

The Building Energy Act (GEG) only permits the installation of heating, new windows, or insulation after a free consultation. The bureaucratic burden for tradespeople is enormous, says entrepreneur Frederik Lippe.

This article is part of the special topic Bureaucratic madness in the craft industry

The Building Energy Act (GEG) allows the installation of heating, insulation or new windows only if there has been a prior consultation with a qualified Installer, heating engineer, chimney sweep or an energy consultant "The craftsmen must 20-minute free initial consultation enable," reports master carpenter and energy consultant Frederik Lippe from Strausberg. This is mandatory for the buyer upon purchase or for the owner during extensive renovation of a single- or two-family home.

In 2024, the amendment to the GEG, also known as the Heating Act, regulated that before the Installation of an oil or gas heating system Such mandatory consultation must be conducted by an energy consultant, plumber, heating engineer, or chimney sweep. The installation of a heat pump is exempt from this requirement.

Additional bureaucratic step

The tradesmen must not only offer the conversation and include it in their offer, but also – if they conduct it themselves – record it. "This additional bureaucratic step created," criticizes the chairman of the Crafts Juniors East Brandenburg.

Because funding conditions change so quickly, it is hardly feasible for companies to always be up to date. Even if they create a template for the discussion, the Enormous effort, reports Frederik Lippe. The regulation has been in place since 2020, which is why the entrepreneur knows from his own experience: "Such a template becomes obsolete after three months. Bureaucratic obstacles like these should be removed." 

Building Energy Act (GEG) The Building Energy Act (GEG) is 1 November 2020 came into force - and with it the obligation to consult. In the course of a first amendment, 1 January 2023 the previously applicable New building standard with regard to the annual primary energy demand. A second amendment to the law allowed the use of renewable energies in the Installation of new heating systems bindingly regulated ("Heating Act"These changes are 1 January 2024 came into force. Source: Federal Ministry of Construction

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