About Dämmatlas

Under the Climate Protection Act, Germany has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The existing building stock offers significant potential in this regard – of the 19 million buildings, around 75 per cent were built before 1978. Their thermal insulation often does not even meet the minimum efficiency standard set out in the first Thermal Insulation Ordinance of 1977. The thermal insulation and heating systems in our older buildings are in need of improvement, whilst soaring heating costs are placing an ever-increasing financial burden on tenants and homeowners. The existing building stock holds energy-saving potential of approximately 80 per cent. As early as 1990, it was shown that 75 per cent of the heating energy consumption in our homes is attributable to poor thermal insulation of the building envelopes, and 25 per cent to deficiencies in the heating systems. This clearly sets out the key areas where action is required.

Heating energy demand in Germany has stagnated at a consistently high level since 1990. Whilst approximately 550 billion kWh of heating energy was required in 1990, the figure stood at around 545 billion kWh in 2019. And this is despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of buildings have undergone energy-efficiency refurbishment. One reason for this stagnation is that, over the same period, the total living space in Germany increased from 2.7 billion m² to 3.9 billion m².

In order to

  • achieve Germany’s climate protection targets and
  • enable residents to enjoy greater comfort in their homes,
  • keep heating costs affordable
  • and to create the conditions for the cost-effective use of heat pumps,

energy-efficient refurbishment of existing buildings is essential. 

It comprises the following components:

  • thermal insulation of the building envelope
  • Upgrading the windows
  • Air-tightness of external building elements
  • Optimisation of heating systems
  • Use of renewable energy

In September 2026, gas storage levels fell to an all-time low. Unless the winter is particularly mild, a gas shortage is to be expected – in any case, gas prices are also rising sharply (by up to 50 per cent within a year) Heating costs are increasingly becoming a social issue; many people, particularly those on low incomes and pensioners, can no longer afford to keep their homes warm. Insulating the house, in combination with a heat pump or a split-system air-conditioning unit, can help, but the basic principle remains:

THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE HEATING ENERGY IS THE HEATING ENERGY THAT IS NOT CONSUMED

 

Many misconceptions and false claims have been circulating for many years regarding ‘retrofitting thermal insulation’.
The DÄMMATLAS is the alternative to product advertising, misleading advice and incorrect information on costs and building physics.

The Dämmatlas

  • It provides a comprehensive overview of 61 insulation methods for existing buildings.
  • It describes 32 insulation materials, independent of any manufacturer, and their technical, environmental and financial aspects.
  • It provides advice on how to avoid mistakes when insulating buildings.
  • It highlights options for DIY methods, as many insulation measures can be carried out yourself with a little skill.