Energy savings calculator
Lower bills, for a lifetime.
Time horizon
Estimated savings
€149,850
€4,995/year
* Estimated savings compare a BioBuilds home (30 kWh/m²/year, including other household energy use and a margin of error) with the EU new-build average (~150 kWh/m²/year). Calculation uses €0.37/kWh, the German household electricity average (BDEW, 2026), with a 25 percent conservative real-world adjustment. Actual savings vary by climate, glazing ratio, energy prices, and occupant behavior. Sources: Passive House Institute, EU Building Stock Observatory, BDEW.
How this calculator works
EU new-build averageWhat a typical new home in the EU uses per m² each year (Passive House Institute country surveys, EU Building Stock Observatory). We compare with a new build, not the ~350 kWh/m² of an older home, so your result stays realistic.
BioBuilds home, all household energyWhat we count for a BioBuilds home: twice the Passivhaus heating limit of 15 kWh/m² quoted elsewhere on our site. The extra covers other household energy use and a margin of error, so the estimate stays conservative.
German household electricity, 2026The average price German households pay per kWh in 2026 (BDEW). Every kWh saved is priced at this rate, then the result is reduced by a further 25% for occupant behavior and climate.
Questions about Passivhaus ROI
ENERGY & COSTS
The Passivhaus heating-demand limit is 15 kWh/m² per year. This page uses 30 kWh/m² for a BioBuilds home, twice that limit, so it also covers other household energy and a margin of error, and compares it with the 150 kWh/m² a conventional EU new-build uses.
Bill savings also depend on the heating system’s efficiency and energy tariff. The calculator shows an estimate for the assumptions selected; it is not a guaranteed saving.
Read the Passivhaus standard explained.Passivhaus construction typically adds 5 to 15 percent to upfront build cost compared to a conventional EU new build, driven by triple glazing, MVHR ventilation, airtightness work, and continuous insulation.
Modular and prefab construction methods can offset much of this premium through factory efficiency, often making certified Passivhaus comparable to a conventional onsite build of the same size.
Compare construction options.INVESTMENT & PAYBACK
Some countries offer loans, grants or tax measures for energy-efficient construction. Eligibility depends on the specific programme and project; Passivhaus certification alone does not secure funding.
For Germany’s KfW 297/298 programme, the highest loan ceiling requires QNG eligibility. An energy-efficiency expert must assess the project, and current programme conditions apply.
Talk to us about incentives in your country.