General

A so-called ThermWin system from Huber SE, which recovers energy from wastewater, is used for heating and cooling in the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte in Regensburg. The ThermWin system works by means of a specially developed wastewater heat exchanger in conjunction with a heat pump. The efficiency of the system is enhanced by a fully automatic self-cleaning...

The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (OLG) recently ruled that restaurant owners cannot be held responsible for recognizable unevenness on their patio areas. In the case in question, a guest tripped on a natural stone terrace after leaving the toilet and injured himself. He sued for damages and compensation for pain and suffering. However, the...

Solid wood furniture is known for its stability, durability and aesthetics. However, its lasting beauty depends heavily on proper surface care. Three conventional methods of surface care - varnish, oil and wax - each offer unique advantages. According to the Initiative Pro Massivholz (IPM), it is crucial that the method suits both the taste of the buyer and the...

People in need of care in Germany are increasingly under financial strain. This is the result of a study by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (vdek). The costs for new arrivals in care homes are rising particularly sharply. Their co-payment has risen by an average of 348 euros per month compared to 2022. Even for those who have been living in a care home for some time, the...

The Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court (OLG) recently sentenced the city to pay damages of 6,500 euros for neglecting to maintain and inspect a street tree (case reference: 1 U 310/20). In this case, a broken branch had caused total damage to a Fiat 500 in a residential area. The OLG ruled that the city was liable for the damage due to inadequate inspection.

The Association of German Engineers (VDI) has published new guidelines to help ensure the professional planning and installation of heat pumps in single and multi-family homes. The VDI guideline 4645 is aimed at experts such as planners, system manufacturers, tradesmen and operators involved in the installation and operation of hot water heating systems that work with...

If an owner wishes to sell or rent out their property, they have the right to enter the property after giving the appropriate notice. But can a court prohibit the right of access to an apartment in special cases? The Federal Court of Justice recently dealt with this question (VIII ZR 420/21, BGH), overturned the judgment of the regional court and referred the matter to the...

From 2024, changes in the area of energy saving will come into force. The energy advice service of the consumer advice center points this out. One major change is the amendment to the Building Energy Act (GEG). From January 1, 2024, new buildings in new development areas must install heating systems that use at least 65% renewable energy. For existing buildings outside of...

The decision to purchase a vacation property should be made with caution, according to the advice of the Association of Private Builders (VPB). A vacation apartment or vacation home can be a sensible investment. Nevertheless, such a property should be examined just as carefully as the main residence so that it does not become a burden. Three central questions are...

In an article on sustainable living trends, "kabeleins.de" has captured how sustainable building can be achieved. Modern technologies and innovative approaches such as building using the timber building block principle make it possible to save money and protect the environment at the same time. With the wooden building block principle, for example, wooden building blocks are stacked in XXL format - similar to Lego. A building shell should...