Vonovia begins lowering the temperature at night in properties with gas central heating
To save as much gas as possible in our properties, Vonovia has begun reducing the heating temperature at night in properties with gas central heating. This takes effect between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Tenants are able to heat as usual during the day and in the evening. The hot water supply is not affected by the lowering of the temperature at night. Tenants can still take warm showers and baths.
Around 55 percent of the heating units in Vonovia properties are currently supplied with gas. Lowering the heating temperature at night allows Vonovia to save up to eight percent on heating costs. This is good for tenants as well as for the environment. It also means the company is helping counteract potential shortages in the natural gas supply.
Heating adjustment during routine maintenance
Vonovia technicians are making the adjustments to the heating systems in the course of routine maintenance. Once they have completed the necessary work in a building, they will post a notice to inform residents.
Vonovia is equipping 30,000 rooftops with photovoltaic systems
With persistently high energy costs, it is becoming increasingly clear that a decentralized supply of renewable energies is more important than ever. In March 2024, Vonovia therefore decided to further accelerate the expansion of photovoltaic systems on its own roofs and facades.
Instead of the previously planned deadline of 2030, Vonovia wants to install photovoltaic systems with an output of around 300 MWp by the end of 2026. These modules will generate solar power equivalent to two power plants. Vonovia will equip all approximately 30,000 suitable roofs with photovoltaic systems by 2050. This will be used for heat generation, as tenant electricity and for e-mobility.
Vonovia implements environmentally friendly and affordable tenant electricity concepts
In Dortmund, Berlin and Mainz, our tenants already receive sustainable electricity from photovoltaic systems on their roofs that can be used directly in their own apartments. Electricity from solar power is not just environmentally friendly, it's affordable: With green direct electricity from Vonovia, tenants save at least ten percent compared to the local basic tariff. Vonovia plans to offer green direct electricity in other cities as well. Numerous installations are in the planning or assembly stage.
"I've been using green direct electricity from Vonovia for a year. This means I'm taking part in the energy revolution and also saving money. And I'm not affected by the energy crisis or rising costs. My electricity price remains consistently low."
Vonovia tenant Thi Kim from Mainz
Vonovia creates energy-efficient buildings and neighborhoods
Energetic modernizations
From facade and attic insulation to window replacement to the installation of thermally insulated plastic windows and modern heating systems, energy-efficient refurbishments can cut energy consumption in many residential units nearly in half. That's why Vonovia upgrades approximately three percent of its housing stock every year based on energy-efficient standards.
Zero-energy standard
In addition to making buildings more energy efficient using technology that already exists, Vonovia uses serial approaches such as the innovative Energiesprong system. In a pilot project in Bochum, Vonovia refurbished three residential units with 24 apartments to a carbon-neutral standard. The Energiesprong principle, which will continue to be implemented in the portfolio in the future, allows buildings to be equipped with preassembled insulation elements especially quickly, without seriously inconveniencing residents. The goal: All buildings that are refurbished based on this principle will meet a zero-energy standard. This means that the buildings themselves will produce the energy needed for heating, hot water and household electricity during the year.
Independent electricity and heating supply
Vonovia operates its Energy Center of the Future (EZZ) in Bochum, where innovative technologies are tested during operation to supply energy to 81 adjoining apartments. Among these technologies are an electrolyzer for producing hydrogen from electricity, fuel cells, and heat pumps that supply 60 percent of the neighborhood with decentrally generated carbon-free heat. Vonovia produces 25 percent of its electricity from its own photovoltaic equipment on the roofs of the buildings. The findings from the innovation neighborhood in Bochum will be rolled out to other Vonovia neighborhoods later. The goal is to develop an independent electricity and heating supply for the buildings that is as carbon-neutral as possible.
Rising energy costs – questions and answers
Here you will find questions and answers on the subject of rising energy costs.