Free energy certificate? How to avoid paying for it

Joost Jansky

Energieberater, Blogger

The short answer: Is a free energy certificate possible?

Many homeowners, estate agents and managers ask about a free energy certificate. The energy certificate is mandatory when selling or letting a property, and every euro counts.

Why a fully free energy certificate is not possible

A fully free energy certificate is not possible for legal and practical reasons. The Building Energy Act (GEG) requires certificates to be issued by certified energy consultants. This professional assessment incurs cost:

• Certified energy consultants: Assessment and issuance require qualified personnel
• Software with DIN V 18599 certification: Special software is needed for the calculation
• Registration with DIBt: The German Institute for Building Technology issues the official registration number
• Time: Data collection, calculation and checking take time

In addition, the certificate must be issued in line with GEG 2025 and is valid for 10 years. These quality standards cannot be provided free of charge.

But: How you can avoid the cost

Even though a fully free certificate is not possible, there are three proven ways to avoid the cost:

1. Your estate agent covers the cost: Many agents pay for their clients’ certificates
2. Certificate as a service from your bank: Sometimes as part of property financing
3. Certificate as part of energy advice: Can be "free", but the advice itself costs much more

If these options do not work for you, there are cheap alternatives: An online consumption-based certificate is available from €49 — much cheaper than traditional providers.

Important: Even if a free certificate is not possible, you can avoid or significantly reduce the cost. The three options work for many owners — just ask.

What does an energy certificate really cost?

Before we look at ways to avoid the cost, it helps to know the real prices. They vary a lot — from €49 to over €600. Understanding the differences helps you choose well.

Consumption-based certificate: The cheapest option

The consumption-based certificate is the cheapest type. It is based on actual consumption over the last three years and is normalised for weather.

Prices for consumption-based certificate:

• Online (self-service): €40–80 (average €49–70, from €49)
• On-site (chimney sweep/energy consultant): €100–400

When is a consumption-based certificate allowed?

• Buildings with more than 4 units
• Buildings built after 1977
• Energetically modernised buildings

The consumption-based certificate is quick to produce and relatively cheap, as no detailed building survey is needed. However, the result depends heavily on how occupants behave — high ventilation or little use will affect the energy rating.

Demand-based certificate: More cost, more information

The demand-based certificate is more involved but more meaningful. It is based on a technical analysis of the building envelope, heating and other factors — independent of user behaviour.

Prices for demand-based certificate:

• Online (self-service): €60–200 (average €99–150, from €99)
• On-site (energy consultant): €300–600

When is a demand-based certificate mandatory?

• Built before 1977, unrefurbished buildings
• Buildings with up to 4 units (if no consumption data)
• New builds (no three-year consumption data yet)

The demand-based certificate gives an objective assessment and is especially useful for sale or letting. Buyers and tenants get a reliable picture of energy efficiency regardless of how previous occupants heated.

Energyausweis Smart™: Best choice for sale and letting

The Energyausweis Smart™ combines consumption-based and demand-based certificates. It shows the better efficiency class and is the best option for owners selling or letting.

Price for Energyausweis Smart™:

• Online: €129

Benefits:

• Both certificate types combined
• Shows the better efficiency class
• Maximum transparency for buyers and tenants
• Best investment for sale/letting

Online vs on-site: Why online is much cheaper

The price gap between online and on-site is large. Online providers are often 50–70% cheaper than traditional ones. For a detailed cost comparison see our comparison article.

Why are online certificates so cheap?

• No travel: No need to visit the property
• Self-service: Owner provides the data
• Efficient processes: Specialisation on certificates
• No appointments: Flexible processing

Important: Online certificates are just as legally valid as on-site ones, as both are checked by certified energy consultants. Quality is the same — only price and process differ. For more detail see Energy certificate from the chimney sweep.

Getting an energy certificate free: Three ways to avoid the cost

Even if a fully free certificate is not possible, there are three proven ways to avoid the cost. Many owners already use them — often without realising.

Option 1: Your estate agent covers the cost

Many agents pay for their clients’ energy certificates. This is common, especially when the agent works with dedicated agent services.

How it works

Agents use agent-only services (e.g. from energyausweis.de). The agent commissions the certificate and pays — not the seller or landlord.

What you need to do

1. Ask your agent: Point them to agent services
2. Clarify who pays: Discuss whether they will cover the cost
3. Use the service: If they agree, they order the certificate via the agent service

Which agents offer this?

Not all do by default. Many, however, work with online providers that offer partner terms and bulk billing from 10 certificates. It is worth asking — many agents are willing to cover the cost as an extra service.

Important: If you work with an agent who is a customer of energyausweis.de, you as seller or landlord get the certificate at no cost. The agent pays.

Example: The Müller family sell their house for €450,000. The agent pays for the energy certificate (€129 for Energyausweis Smart™). For the Müllers the certificate is free — the agent bears the cost as a service.

Option 2: Certificate as a service from your bank

Some banks offer energy certificates as part of property financing. This is not universal but does exist.

When is this possible?

• With property financing: When you take a loan for purchase or refurbishment
• As a service: Sometimes as an extra for loan customers
• In financing packages: Sometimes included in broader packages

What to bear in mind

• Worth asking: Not all banks offer it, but asking is free
• Certificate and loan terms: A better certificate can improve loan conditions
• Compare: Check whether the bank option is really cheaper than an online certificate

The certificate matters for financing, as banks increasingly look at energy efficiency. A good certificate can improve loan terms. More in our article on energy certificate and loan conditions.

Option 3: Certificate as part of energy advice

As part of full energy advice, the certificate can be "free" — but the advice itself is much more expensive than a standalone online certificate.

When does advice make sense?

Energy advice is useful if you need:

• Refurbishment planning
• An individual refurbishment roadmap
• Detailed modernisation recommendations
• To apply for grants (e.g. KfW 431)

Why advice is often more expensive than an online certificate

Cost comparison:

• Energy advice: €1,000–3,000 (including certificate)
• Online certificate: €49–129
• Conclusion: Advice is much more expensive than a certificate alone

Grants: KfW 431 can fund up to €8,000 for an individual refurbishment plan and advice. If you only need a certificate, advice is usually not the most economical option. If you want full refurbishment planning, advice can be worthwhile, especially with grants.

Cheapest alternative: Online energy certificate

If the three ways above do not apply, an online certificate is the cheapest alternative. It has the same legal validity as on-site certificates but is cheaper and faster.

Why online certificates are so cheap

1. No travel: No site visits
2. Self-service: Owner provides data
3. Efficient processes: Specialisation on certificates
4. No appointments: Flexible processing
5. Digital process: Less overhead

Despite low prices, every online certificate is personally checked by certified energy consultants — quality is the same.

Consumption-based certificate online: From €49

An online consumption-based certificate is available from €49. It is the cheapest option and suitable for:

• Buildings with more than 4 units
• Buildings built after 1977
• Energetically modernised buildings

It is based on actual consumption over the last three years, normalised for weather. Data is entered online in a few minutes. For documents you need, see our guide.

Demand-based certificate online: From €99

An online demand-based certificate is available from €99. It is more meaningful because it is independent of user behaviour and based on technical building data.

Mandatory for:

• Built before 1977, unrefurbished buildings
• Buildings with up to 4 units (if no consumption data)
• New builds

The demand-based certificate gives an objective assessment and is especially useful for sale or letting.

Energyausweis Smart™: Best choice for €129

The Energyausweis Smart™ is the best option for owners selling or letting. For €129 you get:

• Both consumption-based and demand-based certificate
• The better efficiency class is shown
• Maximum transparency for buyers and tenants
• Best investment for sale/letting

Quality and legal certainty: Online is just as valid

Many owners wonder if online certificates are as valid as on-site ones. The answer is yes: Online energy certificates are just as legally valid.

Why?

• Both are checked by certified energy consultants
• Both meet GEG 2025 requirements
• Both receive an official registration number from DIBt
• Both are valid for 10 years

The only difference is price and process — quality and legal certainty are the same.

Cost in relation to property value: Why quality matters more

When you sell or let, certificate cost is tiny compared to property value. So focus not only on the lowest price but also on quality and clarity.

Certificate cost is minimal compared to property value

Typical property values:

• Single-family house: €300,000–800,000
• Multi-family: €500,000–2,000,000
• Flat: €150,000–500,000

Certificate cost:

• Consumption-based: €49–100
• Demand-based: €99–200
• Energyausweis Smart™: €129

Share of value: Certificate cost is about 0.01–0.1% of property value.

Example: The Schmidt family sell for €400,000. An Energyausweis Smart™ costs €129 — about 0.03% of the sale price. By comparison, agent commission is often 3–6% (€12,000–24,000). The certificate is a very small part of the total cost.

Why Energyausweis Smart™ is the best investment

It costs a bit more than a single type, but it offers clear advantages:

1. Better efficiency class: Shows the better of the two types
2. Maximum transparency: Buyers and tenants get full information
3. Value: A better certificate can positively affect price or rent
4. Future-proof: Shows modernisation potential

Investing in a good certificate pays off — especially when selling or letting.

Better certificate = higher price or rent?

A better certificate can positively affect sale price or rent. Buyers and tenants increasingly care about energy efficiency and long-term savings.

Benefits of a good certificate:

• More attractive: Efficient properties are in demand, especially with high energy costs
• Stronger position: You can argue with a good certificate and present value better
• Faster sale: Clear information speeds up decisions
• Higher rent: Efficient properties can achieve higher rents

In practice, a better certificate can add around 1–3% to sale price. On €400,000 that could be €4,000–12,000 more — for an investment of €129 in Energyausweis Smart™. More on energy certificate and property value.

So do not only look at the lowest price; quality and clarity matter too. Energyausweis Smart™ is the best investment for sale and letting.

Frequently asked questions about free energy certificates

Is there really a free energy certificate?

Short answer: A fully free certificate is not possible, as it must be issued by certified energy consultants and incurs cost.

But you can avoid the cost if:

• Your estate agent pays (often possible)
• Your bank offers it as a service (sometimes possible)
• You use energy advice (then the certificate is "free" but advice costs €1,000–3,000)

Cheapest alternative: An online consumption-based certificate from €49.

Why is the online certificate so cheap?

Online certificates are cheaper because: no travel, self-service, efficient processes, no appointments. Despite that, every online certificate is personally checked by certified consultants — quality is the same as on-site.

Is the online certificate as valid as one from a chimney sweep?

Yes. Online certificates are just as legally valid as those from chimney sweeps or other on-site providers. Both are checked by certified consultants, meet GEG 2025, get a DIBt registration number and are valid for 10 years. The only difference is price and process.

What is the difference between consumption-based and demand-based?

Consumption-based: Based on actual consumption (3 years), cheaper (from €49 online), depends on user behaviour. Allowed for: more than 4 units, built after 1977, modernised.

Demand-based: Based on building data and calculation, more expensive (from €99 online), objective, independent of user behaviour. Mandatory for: built before 1977, unrefurbished buildings with up to 4 units.

Energyausweis Smart™: Combines both, shows the better efficiency class, best for sale/letting (€129).

What is Energyausweis Smart™ and when is it worth it?

The Energyausweis Smart™ combines consumption-based and demand-based certificates and shows the better efficiency class. It is the best choice for owners selling or letting.

Worth it for: Sale (transparency for buyers), letting (attractive for tenants), value (better certificate can improve price/rent), future (shows modernisation potential). For €129 you get both types and the better efficiency class.

Practical tips: How to save money on your energy certificate

Tip 1: Ask your agent to cover the cost

Many agents pay for their clients’ certificates. Ask — many are willing to offer this as a service. If your agent is a customer of energyausweis.de, you get the certificate at no cost.

Tip 2: Use online providers for maximum savings

Online providers are often 50–70% cheaper than traditional ones. For the same quality and legal validity you save real money. Benefits: lower prices (from €49), same validity, faster processing, no travel.

Tip 3: Choose the right certificate type

Not everyone needs a demand-based certificate. If a consumption-based one is allowed, you can save: consumption-based from €49, demand-based from €99, Energyausweis Smart™ €129 (best for sale/letting).

Tip 4: Prepare your documents

Good preparation reduces effort and can avoid extra cost. Have ready: plans, year built, heating data, insulation details, consumption data (3 years for consumption-based). The better you prepare, the faster and cheaper it is.

Tip 5: Compare offers

Prices vary a lot (€40–600). Compare several offers but do not only look at the lowest price. Consider: quality, legal certainty, personal check by certified consultants, GEG 2025 conformity, official registration number, 10-year validity.

Conclusion: Free energy certificate? How to avoid the cost

A free energy certificate is not possible — it must be issued by certified consultants and incurs cost. But there are several proven ways to avoid or reduce the cost.

Summary

1. Fully free not possible: Professional assessment by certified consultants is required
2. Cost can be avoided: Via agent, bank or energy advice
3. Cheapest option: Online consumption-based certificate from €49
4. Best choice: Energyausweis Smart™ (€129) for sale/letting
5. Cost is minimal: Certificate cost is about 0.01–0.1% of property value

Recommendations

Selling: Ask your agent to cover the cost. If not, choose Energyausweis Smart™ (€129). Letting: Same — ask the agent; otherwise Energyausweis Smart™. Only need a certificate: Online consumption-based (€49) if allowed, demand-based (€99) if mandatory. Use online providers to save.

Certificate cost is minimal compared to property value. So prioritise quality and clarity as well as price. A better certificate is a good investment — especially when selling or letting.

For upcoming changes from 2026, see: Energy certificate 2026: New A–G scale and extended requirements.