A total of 750 million euros are available: the state supports home builders and the climate at the same time via the “climate-friendly new construction” funding program.
Berlin – Since March 1, 2023, private individuals and companies, among others, have been able to apply for support for their house construction or purchase as part of the new “Climate-Friendly New Construction” (KFN) funding program. The government grants loans of up to EUR 150,000 at significantly reduced rates. Anyone who is building a “climate-adapted and energy-efficient residential or non-residential building” can submit an application, or anyone who is buying a newly constructed “climate-adapted residential or non-residential building” for the first time, according to the press release from the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB). .
The aim of the funding is to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector and to achieving the national climate targets – after the KfW funding programs were temporarily stopped last year. The new funding, for which a total of 750 million euros are available. Investors, cooperatives, companies and private individuals can apply for support. The BMWSB has commissioned the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW) to carry out the funding.
KfW funding for house construction: Building climate-friendly pays off
As the BMWSB reports, an effective annual end customer interest rate of 0.9 percent (with a loan term of 35 years and a fixed interest rate of 10 years) is possible as a condition for loans of up to 150,000 euros. Anyone who applies for a development loan with a short loan term of 10 years can receive an effective end customer interest rate of 0.01 percent per year.
Klara Geywitz, Federal Minister for Housing, Building and Urban Development, comments on the launch of the KFN funding program: “Our new funding is sustainable and cross-generational. For the first time, the entire life cycle of a building is taken into account, from construction through operation to possible future conversions. Anyone who builds a house today and thinks long term is sustainable.” Climate protection and the creation of affordable living space must always be thought of together when building and living.
Funding for house construction: KfW grants loans of over 150,000 euros
In order to qualify for the KFN funding program at KfW, the new buildings in question must fall below the specific limit values for greenhouse gas emissions in the life cycle and demonstrate the energy standard of an efficiency house 40 or efficiency building 40 for new buildings. This means that the energy requirement of the property may not exceed 40 percent of that of a standard house. Those who also meet the stricter quality requirements for sustainable buildings can get the highest support.
According to the KfW, a residential building achieves the “climate-friendly residential building” subsidy level if it:
- reached the efficiency house level 40,
emits so little CO2 in its life cycle that the requirement for greenhouse gas emissions of the “Sustainable Building Plus Quality Seal” is met
not heated with oil, gas or biomass
Energy efficiency: KfW funding relies on efficiency level 40
A residential building achieves the subsidy level “Climate-friendly residential building – with QNG” if it:
- reached efficiency house level 40
meets the requirements of the “Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings Plus” (QNG-PLUS) or the “Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings Premium (QNG-PREMIUM)” – confirmed by a sustainability certificate
not heated with oil, gas or biomass
Your energy efficiency experts and sustainability consultants can plan and review these requirements. In both funding stages, KfW supports the construction and purchase, including ancillary costs, planning and construction supervision by experts for energy efficiency and consultants for sustainability, as well as sustainability certification.
The private mortgage lender Interhyp is ambivalent about the new KfW funding: Less bureaucracy, longer terms and an attractive interest rate advantage are on the list of positive aspects. However, no more repayment grants. It should also be noted that the construction supervision and certification of a climate-friendly new building incurs costs that can quickly run into the low five-digit range. (na/dpa)
