Cologne. Climate change and its consequences are becoming increasingly expensive. Between 2016 and 2025, the General Association of Insurers (GDV) estimates damage from natural disasters across Germany to be around 2.4 billion euros per year. For comparison: from 2000 to 2009 it was only around 1.4 billion euros.
If you want to avoid high repair costs as much as possible, you can protect your property from them in advance. And climate risk should also play a role when buying a house, because depending on the location, natural hazards can become a cost driver. But which protective measures are particularly effective? And how much do they cost?
Germany can be divided into so-called climate regions: The risk of storms is higher in the coastal regions in the north. Heat particularly affects the southwest, the Upper Rhine Graben and densely built-up urban areas. Heavy rain particularly endangers depressions and low-lying areas where water collects and later penetrates into houses. In principle, it can arise anywhere in Germany.
Even though many buildings heated up considerably during the heat waves this summer, extreme temperatures across Germany have not yet had a significant impact on property values. However, according to market data from Value AG, the first slight price effects can be seen, especially in particularly exposed locations.
If properties are located in areas with a flood risk, there is a clearer effect on prices: according to the renovation planner Reduco, depreciations of ten to 15 percent are common in flood areas. The GDV's free flood check helps to determine the flood risk for a property.
If you own a property in an area that gets very hot, you can take various measures to ensure that the heat stays outside as much as possible and the property thereby maintains its value.
Many people first think of air conditioning systems: demand skyrocketed during the hot spell in summer, and they quickly sold out on common online platforms. A basic distinction is made between mobile air conditioning units and permanently installed split systems.
The prices vary significantly: a mobile air conditioning system starts at around 250 euros. If you want to install a split system, you have to expect to pay up to 3,500 euros plus installation, according to an analysis by the economic research company Prognos.
But it doesn't have to be an air conditioning unit. External roller shutters and awnings also ensure that the heat stays out. If owners want to install roller shutters from the outside, they pay up to 800 euros per window, says Corinna Kodim, engineer and managing director of Haus und Grund Germany. With twelve windows that would be 9600 euros.
Sun protection in window glazing can also protect interior rooms from heat. The infrared part of the sunlight is reflected. This is possible because these special window glasses are coated with copper or iron oxide.
However, engineer Kodim thinks this is not very effective. The special glazing reduces solar heat gains, which are definitely desirable in winter. In your opinion, roller shutters or awnings are more effective.
Films or cardboard that residents use to cover their windows themselves are also not an effective alternative. “This has a very small effect,” says energy consultant Alexander Beer.
Insulating the roof, however, is particularly effective. However, this measure requires significantly more effort and costs to implement. “Roof insulation for a one- or two-family house costs around 40,000 euros,” estimates Beer. The insulation costs would be 350 to 400 euros per square meter.
Anyone who insulates the facade can also protect themselves from heat. “But the facade insulation is not as effective as that of the roof,” says the energy consultant. Here too, sums of more than 40,000 euros would quickly come together. Although the insulation price per square meter is slightly cheaper at around 200 euros, the area is larger.
However, owners can get some of the money back: The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) supports individual measures on the building shell with 15 percent.
Anyone who invests in insulating the facade and roof ensures that the living spaces stay cool for longer, and not just in hot summers. In winter, the heat stays in the house longer - this reduces heating costs.
To protect yourself against heavy rain, engineer Kodim advises raising door thresholds. She also recommends water-tight basement windows and a backflow protection device. This prevents wastewater from being pushed into the building from the sewer network.
The measures cost just under 5,000 euros. According to Kodim, this amount is sufficient if the single-family home is in an area not at risk of flooding.
On the other hand, if the house is near a river, the risk of flooding increases. Owners should then think about more complex sealing. You can also install pumps or cisterns so that the water can drain or be temporarily stored. Then they have to expect investments of up to 40,000 euros, Kodim estimates.
In addition to investing in the building, owners should also check their insurance coverage. Damage caused by storms and hail is usually included in homeowners insurance.
Heavy rain, flooding and backwater, on the other hand, are only protected through additional elementary protection. According to the comparison portal versicherungsvergleiche.de, home insurance with elemental protection costs between 600 and 2,900 euros per year. The elementary building block alone costs between 90 and 2000 euros.
A case from Dresden shows that insurers are increasing their contributions significantly, especially in risk areas: instead of 645 euros, an owner should now pay 3,400 euros annually, the Saxony Consumer Center reported in July. She fears that the number of layoffs will increase because households can no longer afford the higher costs. That's why she calls for compulsory insurance. Coverage is currently inadequate: According to GDV, around 41 percent of residential buildings in Germany are currently not insured against natural hazards.
