The new energy conservation code in the Federal Republic of Germany.

With effect from January 1st, 1995 the amended Heat Transfer Barrier Act (,,Warmeschutzverordnung ) was introduced in the Federal Republic of Germany, replacing the 1982 version. This decree is binding on all houses to be built so that they reach the low energy standard. Former decrees envisaged mainly the reduction of the transmission heat loss while the amended version takes into account all other relevant aspects such as internal and solar heat gains as well as ventilation heat losses, and includes them into an energy balance procedure. In this way the new Heat Transfer Barrier Act does not lay down certain construction types or heating techniques, but focuses on the annual heat energy demand. With this energy conservation code the German Government aims to a 30% reduction of the heat energy demand of new houses.