Sustainable construction and sustainable real estate are the future and a real return on investment at the same time. The trend towards eco-friendly living has many reasons and advantages. On the one hand, it protects the environment and contributes to lower global warming and cooler urban areas. At the same time, residents effectively save money by having to heat their homes less thanks to modern insulation. The new property standards must meet certain norms. Anyone who already has a property that meets these standards can expect a higher increase in value, especially in large cities.
In this article, you can find out to what extent sustainable real estate is playing a growing role in Berlin and what advantages green residential projects have.
What is sustainable living?
Sustainable living must meet various requirements. This applies in particular to building materials as well as energy efficiency and heat storage. Sustainable building materials are becoming standard, especially in new buildings, and should be made from renewable raw materials and be natural wherever possible. Furthermore, transportation routes should be short. Effective insulation increases energy efficiency and reduces fuel consumption for heating. Sustainability also plays a role in terms of electricity consumption, light incidence and energy recovery.
Advantages of sustainable real estate in Berlin
There are various advantages to sustainable building and living. These relate not only to compliance with the latest legal requirements and the expected increase in the value of the property, but also the tangible savings potential in electricity and heat consumption. This can be demonstrated by an energy performance certificate for Berlin properties and increase the value of the property.
Advantages of eco-friendly real estate in Berlin at a glance:
- They help to protect the environment and improve the eco-balance of Berlin real estate.
- Green spaces improve the urban climate.
- Expenditure on operating costs is reduced, particularly for electricity and heating.
- Attractive funding programs from the city and state for sustainable living in Berlin are available.
- A positive energy performance certificate and innovative standards lead to a potential increase in the value of the property.
- Individual living comfort is higher in sustainably built or renovated properties.
Basic principles of sustainable architecture
Sustainable building and living should follow certain basic principles, including the use of renewable raw materials and the promotion of energy efficiency. In addition, various greening concepts are implemented in sustainable properties to effectively improve the urban climate, such as planted walls and roofs.
The following aspects, among others, can be discussed in a sustainable building consultation:
- Resource-efficient construction: Use of renewable, low-pollutant and qualitatively durable elements that are produced using renewable energies.
- Use of timber: Modern timber construction methods are becoming increasingly popular and can be a key to sustainable construction.
- Short transportation routes: Raw materials are mainly sourced locally, unless the energy balance would justify a longer journey.
- Energy efficiency: CO2-neutral construction and highly efficient insulation that reduces heating consumption are particularly important for sustainable living in Berlin.
- Renewable energies: Where possible, solar panels should be installed on roofs to feed renewable energy into the grid.
- Holistic approach: A holistic approach is important for sustainable architecture, in which the various elements – from the raw materials to the construction to the reduction of waste water – are interlinked.
- Cityscape and urban climate: Berlin’s districts are committed to sustainable building and require new properties to blend in with the ecological cityscape. This also includes improving the microclimate through extensive greening.
- Light regulation: Large windows and clever light management can reduce the consumption of electricity for artificial light.
Energy-efficient living in Berlin real estate
One of the most important factors for sustainable living is energy efficiency. Investing in innovative systems and insulation pays off, especially in terms of the long-term benefits. Although the construction method is initially more expensive, the property owner saves noticeably on consumption and operating costs.
Even if these measures can also be implemented in older buildings, energy efficiency primarily affects new buildings in Berlin, as the latest standards can be implemented from the outset. The law stipulates certain conditions, including minimum insulation values. Various state subsidies are available for real estate in Berlin to implement the statutory energy efficiency standards.
Tips for building energy-efficient houses in Berlin:
- Use of energy-efficient and well-insulating building materials: The focus here is on wood and regionally produced lightweight building materials. The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building offers you an overview of all relevant building materials with the Ökobaudat information portal.
- Use of external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS): External thermal insulation composite systems are based on first building a wall using traditional materials such as stone and then covering it with an insulating envelope. This concept is mainly used when modernizing old buildings. In other concepts, the insulation is installed directly in the wall or ceiling as a basic component. Recycled materials can also be used here.
- Compact design: Unadorned construction without ornamental bays ensures that less space needs to be insulated. The cubic Bauhaus shapes are therefore preferred by most developers for sustainable properties in Berlin.
- Energy-efficient heating systems: Energy efficient homes in Berlin should have heat pumps and other systems that make heating more economical. Apart from this, solar panels and photovoltaics are an important option for sustainable living on exposed roof surfaces.
Lifestyle for sustainable living in Berlin
Ecological architecture in construction can be complemented by a conscious lifestyle for sustainable living in Berlin. Various measures in everyday life can reduce energy consumption, waste water and waste. This benefits the environment, your own lifestyle and generally also your wallet.
Tips for sustainable living in Berlin:
- Correct heating and ventilation: Open the windows several times a day with the heating switched off to allow air to circulate. In winter, this should be done for about five minutes. In the kitchen, keep the temperature low so that the refrigerator consumes less electricity.
- Reduce water consumption: If you shower more often than you bathe, you can reduce your water consumption and the associated wastewater volumes by almost half. Water-saving shower heads, stop buttons on the toilet and ecological washing machines and dishwashers also make sense.
- Reduce electricity consumption: Defrost the fridge and freezer compartment regularly so that the appliance consumes less electricity. It also helps to switch appliances off completely and not just into standby mode, cook with the lid on and use the kettle instead of the stove.
- Economical light sources: Dimmable LED lamps ensure less energy consumption. Also use natural daylight more often than working at home at night, for example.
- Reduce waste: Use recyclable packaging, long-life bottles and Tupperware for refills as well as rechargeable batteries instead of batteries. You can turn old T-shirts into cleaning cloths and thus do without disposable kitchen rolls.
- Less plastic: Opt more often for plastic-free and reusable packaging and products made of wood, ceramic, stainless steel or glass.
- Make your own cleaner: Washing soda, baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice clean efficiently and are much more environmentally friendly than chemical products.
Buying eco-friendly real estate in Berlin: sustainable living made easy
Especially in large cities, it is easier to buy apartments and houses that have already been built as “green properties”. If you want to buy eco-friendly real estate in Berlin, you should pay attention to certain features.
The following checklist provides orientation:
- Start by contacting a real estate agent who already has experience with eco-friendly real estate in Berlin.
- Look for properties that are conveniently located for public transportation.
- Check the energy characteristics of the desired property together with the estate agent.
- Find out about other sustainable features such as construction techniques and building materials in the exposé.
- Ask an estate agent to show you the energy performance certificate for the property and have it checked.
- Find out about the construction technology and ask which building materials have been used.
- Find out about the water efficiency of the property.
Seals, certificates & co.: selection criteria for sustainable real estate
There are various national and international certificates that buyers can use to find energy-efficient homes in Berlin. The QNG seal of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building, which was introduced in 2021, is particularly important. This will be awarded to green homes in the Plus and Premium categories. Depending on the sustainability class, the Federal Subsidy for Efficient Buildings (BEG) is awarded.
Certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), the largest network for ecological construction in Europe, is just as important. Certification is based on various characteristics such as the CO2 footprint, low consumption/incidental costs, high recyclability of the materials used and energy-efficient building technology.
LEED is another certificate that evaluates new buildings and renovations according to green criteria. The assessment focuses on material cycles and resource conservation, integration into the infrastructure, water efficiency, global environmental impact, property quality and indoor air quality.
The BREEAM rating system actually originates from the UK and also assesses the sustainability of buildings. The concept is also used by TÜV SÜD, among others, to correctly assess the ecology of buildings. Important criteria are energy, water, building materials, transportation, waste, environment, health, management and soil/ecology.
Green housing projects in Berlin: sustainable living
Sustainable approaches have now become established in Germany and there are a number of green housing projects in Berlin.
Case studies of successful projects
One currently very well-known green housing project in Berlin is the Spreefeld cooperative, which was founded in the mid-1990s. The planners were able to win UmweltBank as an investor at an early stage and thus create affordable and green living space at Spreefeld in Kreuzberg. The Spreefeld is as transparent as possible, effectively reduces the CO2 balance and guarantees low energy consumption.
Another green residential quarter in Berlin is Marienufer in Treptow-Köpenick. This development is located on the banks of the River Dahme and combines a high quality of life with sustainable living. There are sufficient charging stations for e-mobility in front of the building, a central parcel station and an efficient energy recovery system. The project thus meets the KfW55 standard for energy-efficient homes and has been awarded the DGNB Gold Seal.
Grüne Mitte was also founded as a cooperative and has been transforming the Hellersdorf district in the far east of Berlin since 1996. The more than 2,500 residential units are modern and energy-efficient. This means that there is no need to budget for high heating costs. In addition to the properties in Hellersdorf, several properties in Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg are now also part of this green residential project in Berlin.
Participation opportunities for citizens
A large proportion of green housing projects in Berlin are organized as cooperatives. This gives citizens a good opportunity to actively participate in these projects. To do so, however, you first have to invest in a cooperative share, which usually amounts to several thousand euros. However, this amount should always be seen as an investment in the future.
If you become a member of a cooperative, you are effectively a shareholder and therefore have a long-term right of residence in the facilities. With sufficient capital, you can initiate such sustainable projects yourself, but you should definitely involve other supporters. This applies to ordinary citizens on the one hand, but also to investors such as environmentally friendly banks on the other.
Sustainable building materials and technologies
Before you embark on a sustainable housing project in Berlin, you should find out about the building materials and technologies that are available. Recycling plays a particularly important role here. Even old plastic bottles and tires can be reused and converted into insulating, sustainable building materials for properties in Berlin.
Innovative technologies for sustainable building materials at a glance
The use of renewable and natural materials is the key to success for many sustainable properties. Materials such as straw, wood, clay, but also recycled plastic can help to improve the insulation of walls and ceilings. Apart from this, solar panels, heat pumps and the use of rainwater are measures that can be used to make buildings more sustainable. Switching to timber frame construction is also becoming increasingly popular and is proving to be particularly environmentally friendly. Other sensible measures include the greening of walls, the passive use of solar energy through strategically placed windows and intelligent control of the building system.
Resource efficiency and recycling
Nowadays, more and more sustainable building materials for real estate are coming onto the market. Apart from the classic reusable materials, there are a number of composite materials that ensure better resource efficiency. These can be used for the construction of new green properties as well as for the environmentally friendly refurbishment of existing properties in Berlin. You can find a comprehensive list of materials in the Ökobaudat database.
The most important sustainable building materials for green real estate include:
- Wood and bamboo
- Corrugated clay (mixture of earth, sand, straw and wood)
- Straw bales for insulation
- Cork
- Recycled glass, used plastic, tires and cans
Conclusion and outlook for the future of sustainable living in Berlin
Sustainable building and living is becoming increasingly important. Cities and countries are introducing ever more far-reaching ecological standards that builders and the construction industry must follow. Apart from this, builders and owners of sustainable properties enjoy various benefits. Among other things, they can count on a number of state subsidies.
In addition to the subsidies and environmental protection, the high savings potential is an argument for building sustainably in Berlin. The better the properties are insulated, the less heating is required. With the right green building methods, you can also save on electricity, water and gas.
Investors should be prepared for the fact that sustainable real estate will be the standard in the future. Anyone buying a property in order to achieve a long-term increase in value will therefore be better off if ecological standards are met. There are also indications that such properties will fetch higher prices on the real estate market in the coming years.
