The main policy instruments are:

• Energy efficiency requirements defined in regulatory and mandatory building codes and labeling schemes;
• Low-interest loans and a repayment bonus for energy efficient refurbishment and new buildings depending on the energy standard achieved;
• Investment grants (existing buildings) and use obligation (new buildings) for the implementation of RES-H; and
• A variety of instruments for information and motivation as well as supply side measures.

Regulations

Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV)

EnEV set minimum requirements for the energy-related quality of the building shell and the system technology for both new and renovations of existing residential and non-residential buildings. These requirements are updated to enhance their stringency.
http://www.enev-online.de/
http://www.gbpn.org/databases-tools/bc-detail-pages/germany#Summary

Renewable Energies Heating Act

The Act mandates use of renewable energy sources to provide heating and cooling in both residential and nonresidential buildings, whether new or existing. The government supports the act through capital grants for smaller systems and low interest loans or redemption grants for larger systems.

Act on the Promotion of Renewable Thermal Energy (EEWärmeG)

EEWarmeG imposes the use of renewable energies, including solar heating systems and heat pumps, in the construction of new buildings (so-called obligation to use)

Economic Instruments

Market Incentive Programme for Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energies (MAP)

Program is primarily for existing buildings, and the federal government supports grants and subsidies for heat pumps, biogas systems, and solar energy systems. KfW, the government bank, supports low interest finance usually for larger solar energy systems.
http://energytransition.de/2012/10/renewable-energy-heating-act-and-market-incentive-program-map/
http://www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/pams/germany/name-34696-en.php

KfW Funding Programs

KfW has funding programs for both new and existing energy efficient buildings. Energy performance of buildings is evaluated against standards set by EnEV. Amount of loan is directly proportional to percentage of improvement in energy efficiency of building under consideration over the baseline set by EnEV.
https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Neubau/index-2.html

Information & Outreach

BAFA On-site Consultation

Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) facilitates funds for home owners to gain technical advice from consultants on adding energy conservation measures in their homes.
http://www.bafa.de/bafa/en/energy/index.html

PassReg Project

Passive House Regions with Renewable Regions (PassReg) project aims to promote implementation of NZEBs across 11 EU countries. An informational brochure that summarizes examples of NZEBs, approaches for municipalities to implement NZEBs through Passiv Haus Standard program.
http://www.passreg.eu/upload/PassREg_International_EN/Flipbook_Pro.html

Regulations

Renewable Energies European Law Adaptation Act (EAG EE)
http://www.res-legal.eu/search-by-country/germany

Economic incentives and financing instruments

Market Incentive Programmes (MAP) for Use of Renewable Energies (1999)
http://www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/pams/germany/name-34696-en.php

KfW Energy-efficient rebuilding – Municipalities (since 2009)
https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Bestandsimmobilie/
https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Neubau/index-2.html
http://www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/pams/germany/name-24665-en.php

SME : Environmental and Energy Efficiency Programme (part B) – implemented by KfW

Funding Program for Promotion of Energy Management System
https://www.stromeffizienz.de/industrie-gewerbe/handlungsfelder/energiemanagement/foerderprogramm-energiemanagementsysteme.html
https://www.stromeffizienz.de/

Energy Performance Certificate
http://www.zukunfthaus.info/tools/energieausweischeck.html
http://www.zukunft-haus.info/

Information and Awareness 

BAFA On-site advice (since 1998)
http://www.bafa.de/bafa/en/energy/index.html

Energy hotline and Internet platform
https://www.stromeffizienz.de/

Energy Efficiency Initiative
https://www.stromeffizienz.de/
http://www.die-stromsparinitiative.de/stromsparinitiative/partnerprojekte/initiative-    energieeffizienz/index.html

Guide for Sustainable Building (2013)
http://www.nachhaltigesbauen.de/sustainable-building-english-speaking-information/guideline-for-sustainable-building.html

The Alliance for Building Energy Efficiency (Geea)
https://www.geea.info/ueber-die-geea/geea/

Demonstration

Efficient House Pilot Project (2003)
http://www.dena.de/en/projects/building/efficient-house-pilot-project.html

Towards Energy Efficiency House Plus
www.zukunft-haus.info/effizienzhausplus