Energy advice for homeowners and tenants

In cooperation with the Rhineland-Palatinate Consumer Advice Center, the municipal environmental center at Steingasse 3-9 offers free initial consultations. An independent expert commissioned by the Consumer Advice Center explains where energy can be saved most effectively in the home and what measures are required to achieve this, and in what order. All questions relating to energy saving in the home should be discussed before any major or minor measures are taken, not least to avoid misguided investments.

The consultations, for which those seeking advice should bring the building plans and energy bills with them, take place every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 06131 12-2121. 

Initial consultations have been an integral part of the municipal services offered by the Umweltladen since 2008 and are carried out by BAFA-certified energy consultant Dipl. Ing. (FH) Horst Neises. The Consumer Advice Center also offers initial consultations at its premises at Seppel-Glückert-Passage 10. Here, energy consultant Hermann Obermeyer, Dipl.-Physiker, provides advice every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

In addition to initial consultations, the Consumer Advice Center offers energy checks. Consultations can be booked by calling 06131 12-2121 or 0800 60 75 600.

Current note:

Due to high demand, there are long waiting times, especially for energy checks. Alternatively, consultations are offered by telephone, video call, or at the premises at Seppel-Glückert-Passage 10.

If necessary, the independent energy consultants from the consumer advice center will come to your home and record the most important data. You will then receive a short report with results and recommendations. The following consultation packages are available on a case-by-case basis if required:

1. Checking household energy consumption (especially for tenants): The energy consultants look at how the household is heated and ventilated. Electricity consumption (including electrical appliances) is also examined. The focus is on simple ways to save energy and costs in the household. Duration approx. 1 hour.
   
   
2. Identifying the energy profile of the building (for house and apartment owners): In addition to household energy consumption, the heating system (entire heating system, system technology) and the building envelope, including windows and roof (thermal insulation, structural thermal protection), are examined. The energy consultants also discuss with the owners whether the use of renewable energies is worthwhile. Duration approx. 2 hours.
   
   
3. Optimizing the heating system (for owners; only during the heating season): Through a 24-hour measurement (two appointments on consecutive days), the energy consultants from the consumer center determine how the existing heating system is set up, whether the heating system is running efficiently, and how it can be optimized.
   
   
4. Optimizing solar heating systems (for operators of solar thermal systems; only in summer): The energy consultants check the existing solar thermal system for hot water and, if applicable, space heating support. Measurements taken over several days (two appointments within a week) are used to determine energy gains and opportunities for improvement.
   
   
5. Replacing your heating system (for owners): If you are planning to replace your heating system, the energy consultants will assess the initial situation on site and check which heating systems are suitable. They will then recommend the three best options based on CO₂ emissions, possible subsidies, and the expected costs for purchase and operation.

Thanks to funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the on-site energy consultation costs only €40. The "household energy consumption assessment" is completely free of charge.

The Consumer Advice Center offers an in-depth insight into its energy consulting services on its website.

The building energy consultations offered nationwide by certified energy consultants in accordance with the criteria of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) go well beyond the scope of initial consultations and energy checks.

After an initial discussion, the building is inspected during an on-site appointment. The building is then calculated in detail and a comprehensive written consultation report is prepared, which is explained in a final meeting. In addition to calculating possible energy savings and assessing the economic efficiency of the various measures, the report also contains a description of all proposed measures and information on possible subsidy programs.

"BAFA consulting" is the most established form of consulting. It has been financially supported by the federal government for many years and, where applicable, additionally subsidized by the Mainz Foundation for Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency. The prerequisite is that the consultation is carried out by a BAFA-approved energy consultant who is also recognized by the Mainz Foundation. The foundation provides information about the "Mainz Energy Efficiency Experts" network, which currently consists of 24 energy consultants, on its website. All energy consultants who are active nationwide and certified by the BAFA can be found on the website of the German Energy Agency (dena).

Residents of the Lerchenberg district who are interested in renovating their homes can take advantage of the above offers, as can all Mainz residents. This offer is supplemented by renovation proposals specific to Lerchenberg from the Mainz-Lerchenberg Energy District Concept.

The Green and Environment Office recommends using this information as a basis for consultation with an energy efficiency expert. The exemplary renovation proposals for individual building groups developed on behalf of the city by the Institut Wohnen und Umwelt GmbH (IWU) contain information on possible energy-efficient renovation measures and statements regarding energy savings. Here you will find information (as of January 2014) on the topic of energy-efficient building renovation in Mainz-Lerchenberg.