The new Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water 2025: Rising energy prices undermine savings efforts – additional measures to reduce consumption are needed

Eschborn, October 14, 2025. The heat transition in the building sector is one of the most effective levers of German climate policy – but its full potential has not yet been exploited. The new Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat, and Water 2025 (only German) provides a data-supported inventory and shows which measures are effective, where adjustments are needed, and which solutions are particularly effective. The analysis is based on the evaluation of around 100,000 apartment buildings with approximately 1.1 million apartments in Germany – making it one of the most comprehensive of its kind.

The results show that while the potential for savings in user behavior has almost been exhausted, technical measures offer enormous opportunities. Heat pumps and digital operations management in particular are coming into focus as levers for energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction.

The most important findings of the Techem Atlas at a glance:

• High heating costs despite constant consumption: Heating costs in 2024 were at a record high: Since 2021, energy prices have risen by 82% and consumption costs per square meter by 40%. Despite this increase, consumption in 2024 remained stable compared to 2023 – an indication that the scope for individual savings behavior has largely been exhausted. In some regions, a trend reversal is even apparent. 
• Regional differences: The highest heating costs per square meter in 2024 were recorded in Chemnitz (€19.01/m²), Potsdam (€18.61/m²), and Offenbach (€17.86/m²). Among the federal states, Saarland leads the way (€15.75/m²), followed by Schleswig-Holstein (€15.68/m²) and Brandenburg (€14.59/m²) (see interactive map of Germany - only in German).
• Fossil fuels still dominate: More than 87 % of German apartment buildings are still heated with fossil fuels. The trend is slightly downward, with a 3% decline compared to the previous year.
• District heating in the fast lane: In 2024, district heating caused fewer emissions than natural gas (166 vs. 201 g CO₂/kWh). Buildings connected to district heating are already below the 2030 climate target with 0.9 tons of CO₂ per unit of use – a real turning point.
• Unequal distribution of CO₂ costs: The statutory CO₂ cost allocation introduced in 2023 has had little effect so far: tenants still bear around 73% of CO₂ costs, while landlords bear only 27% – too little to provide a sustainable incentive for investment.
• Technology complements user behavior – efficiency through monitoring & co.: The analysis shows that technical measures such as monitoring or digital operations management are necessary to achieve further significant savings. These measures can reduce CO₂e emissions by up to 1 ton per apartment per year—significantly more than individual behavior alone.
• Digitalization is progressing – but not fast enough: Digital operations optimization saved around €15.9 million in operating costs in 2024 alone. In addition, 65.3% of buildings in Germany can already be read without entering the apartment, and 62.3% can be read completely remotely. This puts Germany in 7th place in a European comparison – Spain (90.5%), the Netherlands (78.4%), and Luxembourg (71.2%) are already further ahead. According to EU requirements, complete remote readability is planned by 2027. There is further need for expansion here.
• Heat pumps – the underestimated lever: Already 50% of centrally heated apartment buildings in Germany are suitable for low-temperature systems such as heat pumps without replacing radiators – with replacement, the proportion rises to as much as 90%. Heat pump systems achieve an average seasonal performance factor (SPF) of 3.5 (space heating systems) – a good efficiency value. 
• Climate targets partially achieved: In 2024, the average emissions for heat supply per apartment in German apartment buildings were already below the interim target value of 1.8 t determined by the Climate Protection Act, at approximately 1.5 t CO₂e.

"With an increase of 82% compared to 2021, energy prices reached a record high in 2024. At the same time, we are observing that the potential for savings in user behavior has now been largely exhausted. In some cases, we are even seeing a reversal of the trend: tenants are once again consuming more energy for space heating in some cases. It is time for a technology-neutral approach that focuses on innovative solutions and energy efficiency rather than solely on the population's willingness to save energy," comments Techem CEO Matthias Hartmann on the results.

The Techem Atlas 2025 shows that the decarbonization of Germany's multi-family housing stock can be achieved by 2045 through targeted technical solutions. The in-house study provides reliable data on potential savings opportunities and illustrates that minimally invasive and low-investment approaches in particular offer particularly great leverage.

“Smart heating systems have long been a reality and are highly relevant from an economic perspective,” says Hartmann. “Our data shows that digital operational optimization alone saved around €15.9 million € in operating costs in 2024. The combination of monitoring, AI-supported control, and transparent consumption recording is the key to greater efficiency and lower emissions – and that with manageable investment requirements.”
 

Additional information
On this overview page (only German), you will find the Techem Atlas, story charts with key messages, and an interactive map of Germany with an overview of data at the federal state, postal code region, and major city levels.

Image information: The new Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water 2025: Rising energy prices undermine savings efforts – additional measures to reduce consumption are needed (Copyright: Techem).

About the Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water

The Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water is published annually and offers a comprehensive analysis of energy consumption, emissions, and digitalization in German buildings. The data is based on around 100,000 apartment buildings with approximately 1.1 million apartments. The aim is to create transparency, make progress measurable, and identify concrete options for action for the heat transition. The data considered in the atlas are annual values from 2024.

That is why inexogy is continuously working to create the data basis for a secure and sustainable energy supply. As a competitive metering point operator, inexogy installs and operates smart metering systems nationwide, ensuring transparency and fair participation of all citizens in the energy transition.