New windows, new heating or the entire program? If you want to upgrade your own property, you will have to spend a lot of money. Energy tips should help. But more and more black sheep are causing problems, and consumer advocates are already warning.

“That is a catastrophe. I have already had several cases and then had to pay tens of thousands of euros in additional payments,” Harald Lacher from the Brandenbuerg consumer advice center told Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB). , energy consultants sometimes recommended inappropriate renovation measures, which would have led to considerably higher heating costs.

This is how energy consulting firms scam their clients

Lacher analyzed a case involving a family in the Spreewald. Instead of recommending the best possible heating for his four-sided patio, the CEO of an “energy cost reduction agency” in Berlin recommended so-called direct electric heating. However, according to Lacher, this is completely inappropriate for the building and consumes seven times more energy than previously calculated.

The consultant calculated an electricity consumption of 2,624 kilowatt hours or heating costs of 787 euros per year or per heating period for the farm at an electricity price of 30 cents/kWh and an ambient temperature of 20 degrees. In fact, the radiators consumed between 1,400 and 1,700 kilowatt hours each, seven times more than promised.

In this case, the energy consulting firm prepared an offer. The family had to pay 11,000 euros for the advice, installation and radiators, but apparently the consultant received an order from the heating technician. When the radiators arrived at the family broken and did not fit the walls, the family complained about the purchase to the heating technician. He, in turn, stated that clients should go to an energy advisor, “they receive a lot of money for it.”

“If an energy consultant receives an order for a device, I would not give him independence because, so to speak, he wants to sell something,” criticized Lacher. According to the consumer advocate, this is not an isolated case. Consumer advocates have often seen something promised that doesn't actually work.

Households should also always consider the question of financing. The Spreewald family could have received a subsidy of almost 6,000 euros to replace the heating system. Then the council would have been truly independent. Anyone requesting financing for heating replacement must receive independent advice, as confirmed upon request by the Federal Chamber of Engineers. Because state support only comes if the cheapest offer is chosen. However, this legal obligation does not exist without a funding request.

How to protect yourself from dubious energy advice

The term “energy consultant” is not protected in Germany. Anyone can call themselves that. Consumer service centers offer support. You will also find a list of experts on the website of the German Energy Agency (Dena), which lists 15,000 specialists nationwide in the sectors of energy consulting, architecture, engineering and crafts. The Federal Chamber of Engineers can also help.

Energy advice is essential for homeowners who want to improve their energy efficiency and reduce long-term costs. The costs of this type of advice usually range between 1,000 and 2,000 euros. The advice provides a detailed view of a home's current energy consumption and highlights areas where improvements can be made.

Before households book an energy consultation, they should do the following:

• Know exactly what you expect from it (renovation, financing, new heating),
• If there is an offer, you should also consult the consumer service center,
• The ideal is to consult the energy advisor based on Dena's list of experts.

By the way, dubious energy advisors can recognize those affected by the fact that they do not want to give advice but rather sell products.