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A team from the Chair of Technical Thermodynamics at the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology and the company DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH are currently investigating how mine water from the former Lugau-Oelsnitz coalfield in northwestern Saxony can be used to supply heat. The idea is to heat the mine water with heat pumps and use it for heat and...

At the University of Göttingen, a process has been developed for a granulate that can be used to make panels and walls from hemp, falch and popcorn granulate. According to the responsible working group "Chemistry and Process Engineering of Composite Materials" at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, the material used is reusable, recyclable and compostable....

In order to ensure more energy efficiency, resource conservation and sustainability, the German Facility Management Association (GEFMA) and the German Energy Efficiency Initiative (DENEFF) have concluded a cooperation agreement. Through the cooperation agreement, GEFMA and DENEFF also hope for a stronger exchange between their own members as well as...

An architect commissioned to carry out basic research and design planning is not obliged to protect his clients from possible tax damage. This was recently decided by the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (OLG, Ref. 29 U 185/20). In the case at hand, clients wanted to renovate their attic apartment and commissioned an architect to provide services. They paid this...

The German Furniture Quality Association (DGM) now advises tenants and owners how to be environmentally conscious when buying furniture. In addition it holds three Tipps for prospective customers ready. Firstly, tenants or owners can pay attention to good furniture quality and choose durable products that are compatible with health and the environment. According to the DGM, the RAL quality mark "Golden M" indicates...

Insurers like to invest in real estate. This is the result of the study "Trendbarometer Immobilienanlagen der Assekuranz" (Trend Barometer Real Estate Investments of the Insurance Industry) by the tax consulting firm EY. The so-called real estate ratio of 12.1 percent was higher than at any time since the surveys began in 2008. However, the study also shows that insurers are becoming more cautious. For example, half of the respondents...

In view of the difficult conditions for new construction, such as a shortage of materials, IG-Bau is calling on the real estate industry to look for alternative solutions. The union is thinking, among other things, of converting vacant offices into living space as well as raising the roofs of residential buildings built in the post-war period up to the end of the 1990s. By the...

Companies that have developed innovative and sustainable technologies for the renovation of existing buildings can still apply for the "German Renovation Award". The technologies must be designed in such a way that they meet the EU climate targets for the renovation of existing buildings. Companies can present their ideas on Friday, August 26, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the "1st German...

Hartz V recipients - despite a special regulation due to the COVID 19 pandemic - may not permanently live in housing that is too expensive. This was recently decided by the Regional Social Court (LSG) of North Rhine-Westphalia. The reason for this is that the so-called "SGB adequacy test" can be suspended for a maximum of six months. Afterwards § 22, 2nd book SGB applies again. This states the following:...

A 3-point plan for the terrace design provides the portal "brigitte.de". It advises to determine the needs (point 1), to choose the style (point 2) and to create a plan (point 3). With point 1 should be found out first whether a larger terrace and for it less place in the garden come into question or a smaller terrace and for it more place in the garden....