Heating System Inspection According to § 60b GEG: What Real Estate Companies Need to Know
Mar 26, 2025
Energy costs are rising, climate regulations are tightening—and since the end of last year, German law (§ 60b GEG) requires companies to inspect and optimize the efficiency of their heating systems. What may sound like a bureaucratic obligation actually presents a valuable opportunity for real estate operators: optimizing heating systems smartly now can significantly lower energy costs and reduce long-term CO₂ emissions.
We explain who is affected by the regulation, what measures are required, and how intelligent technologies can help not only fulfill legal obligations—but also reduce costs, cut emissions, and future-proof your buildings.
Who Is Affected by § 60b GEG and What Deadlines Apply?
The inspection requirement applies to buildings with at least six residential units that operate a water-based heating system. The core rule: Heating systems older than 15 years must be inspected for energy efficiency. The specific deadlines depend on the installation date:
Systems installed after September 30, 2009 must be inspected no later than 15 years after installation.
Systems installed before October 1, 2009 must be inspected by September 30, 2027.
Who Is Exempt from the Inspection Requirement?
Buildings with fewer than six residential units are exempt. Other exemptions include:
Systems with standardized building automation per § 71a
Heat pumps already subject to performance inspections
Systems with contractual energy efficiency agreements
Systems monitored by utility companies or grid operators
What Does the Heating Inspection Involve?
The inspection includes an assessment of the existing heating system and identifies necessary optimization measures. It reviews points such as:
Are the system’s parameters correctly configured for efficient operation?
Is an energy-efficient circulation pump installed?
Are pipes, fittings, and valves properly insulated?
Can the flow temperature be lowered?
What Optimization Measures Does § 60b GEG Require?
Based on the inspection, the system must be optimized. This includes more than just one-time adjustments—it also calls for recurring efficiency improvements such as:
Fine-tuning the flow temperature and heating curve to reduce energy use
Activating night setback or shut-off based on usage and outdoor temperature
Optimizing circulation to avoid unnecessary heat loss
Checking the circulation pump and lowering the domestic hot water temperature
Reducing the heating limit temperature to shorten the heating season
Informing the operator about additional savings potential and renewable energy options
The goal of § 60b GEG is clear: outdated and inefficient heating systems should be identified and upgraded with modern, energy-saving technologies.
Who Can Perform the Heating Inspection—and Why Isn’t a One-Time Inspection Enough?
According to § 60a (4) GEG, only certified professionals may perform heating inspections:
Chimney sweeps
HVAC and plumbing technicians
Stove and air heating system installers
Certified energy consultants
But there’s a challenge: The shortage of skilled labor means many inspections are only carried out at a basic level—and only once. This does not allow for sustainable improvements.
Only Dynamic Optimization Delivers Long-Term Savings
The heating inspection under § 60b GEG is an important first step in identifying energy savings potential and initiating key adjustments.
The problem, however, is that these measures are typically one-time and static. But to achieve long-term reductions in energy use and CO₂ emissions, what’s needed is continuous, dynamic optimization that can adapt flexibly to changing conditions. This is where smart technologies play a crucial role—including ours.
Sensaru not only performs the legally required heating inspection—we go one step further.
With our Sensaru system, we enable dynamic control of heating systems using intelligent sensors and AI-based regulation technology.
Our system continuously adapts to factors like weather data, building usage, or user behavior, detects inefficient operating patterns or failures early on, and automatically regulates and optimizes performance.
The Result:
Up to 20% lower energy costs through automated control
Sustainable CO₂ reduction via optimized heating performance
Full legal compliance, without additional effort
Future-proof buildings thanks to intelligent, adaptive heating
For real estate companies, the heating inspection is much more than a legal obligation—it’s an opportunity to sustainably reduce the energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of their residential buildings.
Those who adopt smart technologies early can not only meet regulatory requirements but also lower operating costs in the long term and future-proof their properties.
👉 Turn a legal requirement into a business opportunity—choose smart heating optimization with Sensaru now!
