New guidelines for serial refurbishment

12.03.2026

Source: E & M powernews

The German Energy Agency (Dena) has published new guidelines for serial building renovations. They are intended to help experts with planning, technology and circularity.

The German Energy Agency (Dena) has presented new guidelines for serial building refurbishment. Its "Serial Refurbishment/Energiesprong Germany" competence center published the materials on 11 March. They bring together specialist knowledge, decision-making aids and experience from implemented projects.

The publications are intended to guide experts through the central planning phases of serial refurbishments. According to Dena, this includes in particular the assessment of buildings, technical solutions for prefabricated façade and roof elements as well as issues relating to fastening technology. Another focus is on strategies for the recyclability of building materials and components.

In serial refurbishment, buildings are modernized using digitalized planning processes and industrially prefabricated components. Façade or roof elements are created in production and then assembled on the construction site. According to Dena, this shortens construction times and reduces interventions in occupied buildings. Standardized processes should also reduce costs and planning effort.

Energiesprong in Germany

The approach is based on the international Energiesprong model, which is used in several European countries. The aim is to implement energy-efficient modernizations of existing buildings more quickly and thus contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. Christian Stolte, Head of Climate Neutral Buildings at Dena, sees serial refurbishments as an important approach to transforming the building stock.

"In order to achieve the climate targets in the building sector, the energy efficiency of buildings must be significantly improved. Serial refurbishments are an important building block here and also create innovations with corresponding value creation potential," explained Stolte. The new guidelines are intended to provide experts with practical tools to implement projects efficiently, sustainably and with fewer risks.

Addressing many target groups

Dena's materials are aimed at several target groups. These include architectural and specialist planning offices as well as energy consultants. Providers of serial refurbishment solutions and manufacturers of construction elements such as modules, fixings or façade systems should also benefit. The organization also names housing companies as an important user group.

According to Dena, the guidelines are primarily intended to provide orientation in the early project phase. They contain technical information, practical examples and decision-making principles for various refurbishment options. This should enable planning teams to clarify more quickly which solutions are suitable for a specific building.

One focus is on the systematic recording of the building stock. According to Dena, a precise inventory analysis forms the basis for serial refurbishments because it determines the planning of the prefabricated elements. Inaccurate data, on the other hand, could lead to adjustments on the construction site and thus reduce the time advantage of industrial prefabrication.

In addition to technical issues, the guidelines also address aspects of material cycles. According to the organization, components should be planned in such a way that they can be reused or recycled at a later date. Dena thus combines serial refurbishment concepts with circular economy approaches in the construction industry.

According to the competence center, the publication is intended to help accelerate the implementation of serial refurbishments in Germany. The guidelines are intended to make experiences from previous projects accessible and thus strengthen the transfer of knowledge within the industry.

Further information on serial refurbishment is available on the Internet.

Author: Susanne Harmsen