Consumption Certificate Providers 2026: Best Portals Compared

Lea Foster

Energy efficiency expert, content manager

Transparency: This article was commissioned by energyausweis.de. The assessment follows the same transparent criteria for every portal: first the § 88 GEG issuer, DIBt registration number, consumption data capture and methodology, then price and turnaround. We state openly that we are convinced by energyausweis.de.

Whether a consumption certificate is allowed is clarified first by the free Ausweis-Check. Under time pressure, the practical tips in Getting an energy certificate at short notice help.

When the consumption certificate is the right choice

The consumption certificate — formally the energy consumption certificate — rates your building on recorded final energy use. Values are weather-corrected and converted to primary energy as § 82 GEG requires. The basis is real bills or measurements over at least 36 consecutive months, rather than a theoretical building balance like the demand certificate. That is why the path is often faster and cheaper: you supply consumption evidence, and the issuer calculates the ratings.

On sale, letting or leasing you need a valid energy certificate (§ 80 (3) GEG). In many cases you may choose between consumption and demand once the available data allow it and the building qualifies for a free choice. Typical cases are multi-family buildings with five or more dwellings and younger buildings with unbroken heating bills.

One edge case deserves attention. For residential buildings with fewer than five dwellings and a building application before 1 November 1977, the law often requires a demand certificate. If the building meets the 1977 thermal standard today, you may usually choose between consumption and demand. If that proof is missing, a demand-certificate provider is the right path. Provider criteria are set out in Demand certificate providers compared. The legal duty is covered in Demand certificate for residential buildings.

What data your provider needs — and how orders succeed

Good consumption-certificate providers need solid consumption data above all. Under § 82 (4) GEG the following evidence may be used:

• heating-cost ordinance (HeizkostenV) statements for the whole building,
• supplier bills or proper measurements,
• or a combination of both.

The period must cover at least 36 consecutive months and include the latest billing period ending at most 18 months ago. Longer vacancies must be adjusted appropriately.

In practice, missing evidence delays the order more often than the portal does. After a change of property manager, one billing year is often missing — obtain that heating-cost statement before you order. If you use several energy carriers, allocate the consumption figures clearly and check that the values are based on net calorific value (Heizwert), not gross calorific value (Brennwert). The documents you need are listed in Documents for the energy certificate. The difference between the two calorific bases is explained in Heating value vs gross calorific value.

Before you order, a short self-check helps:

• Do you have three consecutive billing years or 36 months?
• Does the latest period end at most 18 months ago?
• Are energy carriers and vacancies documented clearly?
• Does your building qualify for a free choice — or does a demand certificate apply?

Outlook: consumption data under the GModG from 2027

The Building Modernisation Act (GModG) was promulgated on 28 July 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 226). The new name and the heating reform have applied since 29 July 2026. The energy-certificate rules in Article 2 take effect on 1 January 2027. Until then, new certificates still follow the current 36 consecutive months under § 82 GEG.

From 2027 the enacted law requires annual, energy-carrier-differentiated consumption data over two years; the latest period may be at most 18 months old — and only for buildings used exclusively for residential purposes. The draft idea of 24 monthly values was not adopted. An overview is in the article GModG enacted — new energy certificate from 2027. What ordering before the cut-off still secures is summarised in Order a consumption certificate now. This article stays focused on provider choice under current law.

What a consumption certificate costs online in 2026

In our market overview, online consumption certificates cost €40 to €120, averaging about €70 (10 online providers). With a chimney sweep, consumption certificates are often noticeably more expensive, frequently from about €100. Specialised portals handle the same certificate type more cheaply and faster. Ordering online is worthwhile when qualification and registration number are in place. For many owners the price gap versus a chimney sweep is an extra reason.

The shortlist below shows three portals for the German market with prices for the consumption certificate for residential buildings, as of July 2026. The prices are for orientation; the five quality criteria remain the benchmark. This is a shortlist for people who are ready to order.

If your documents are complete and the deadline is tight, you can order a consumption certificate online. At energyausweis.de there is a fixed price of €49 and no surcharge for fast delivery as standard.

Five criteria by which good consumption-certificate providers can be judged

For demand certificates, the building calculation and the on-site survey often count. For the consumption certificate, what matters is that the bills are captured completely and the finished certificate is formally correct. Quality and reliability come before price. These five criteria work as a quick check before you pay:

1. Issuer under § 88 GEG — Even online, a qualified person signs off the certificate.
2. DIBt registration number on page 1 (§ 98 GEG) — With it, the certificate is usable in practice.
3. Consumption data capture — The portal clearly collects the 36 months, the energy carriers and the vacancies, and supports you with data collection.
4. Method transparency — The portal makes weather correction and the calorific basis (net versus gross heating value) transparent.
5. Turnaround and fixed price — Only once the issuer, DIBt number and data capture are correct do you compare the end price and delivery details.

A valid certificate with a DIBt registration number meets presentation and handover duties on sale or letting and protects against fines of up to €10,000 (§ 108 (2) no. 2 GEG). With the number, the PDF holds up with authorities, buyers and tenants.

Best consumption-certificate portals 2026 — short comparison

Three portals serve the German market and issue consumption certificates online.

energyausweis.de — recommendation for ordering a consumption certificate

energyausweis.de offers the residential consumption certificate for €49. In our reviews, fast processing — often within a few hours — and clear product guidance stand out. When the agent needs the certificate before the next viewing, every hour counts. At the same time, energyausweis.de is the cheapest provider in this comparison. If you want to check whether consumption or demand yields the better efficiency class, you can use the Energyausweis Smart™; more in The Energyausweis Smart™. This comparison stays focused on the pure consumption certificate. energyausweis.de is a sound default when you want to order quickly and transparently.

For estate agents, property portals and property managers, energyausweis.de provides an API to integrate consumption certificates into their own software. The overview for professional use is in Energy certificate API for online portals.

mcenergieausweis.de — established mid-tier provider

According to provider information as of July 2026, mcenergieausweis.de charges from €59 for a residential consumption certificate. Standard processing usually takes 48 hours; delivery on the same day is available for a surcharge. The portal is suitable if you want an established online provider in the mid-price band between budget entry and paid express — and you apply the five quality criteria before ordering.

energieausweis-erstellen-online.de — online portal with paid express

energieausweis-erstellen-online.de lists the consumption-based certificate for residential buildings from €69. Faster delivery costs an extra €39 for 24-hour service. According to the imprint, the operator is Immobilienwerker LTD, based in Cyprus — not entered in the German commercial register. The offer is aimed at the German market. The portal is suitable if you want a paid express option and apply the five quality criteria before ordering.

Short comparison

energyausweis.de leads on price, turnaround and product guidance. mcenergieausweis.de remains worth considering as an established provider. energieausweis-erstellen-online.de stands out with paid extras.

You will find a broader online comparison with further portals in Buy an energy certificate online: 3 top providers. Anyone who prefers personal contact on site can choose a chimney sweep. That is usually more expensive; an online certificate with a § 88 GEG issuer and a DIBt number is equally valid.

Consumption or demand — which certificate type is possible?

The table below is for orientation. Also check your individual case.

How to choose and order your consumption-certificate provider

1. Check the certificate type. Clarify choice and duties under § 80 (3) GEG. Use the Ausweis-Check for this.
2. Gather documents. Assemble at least 36 months of consumption data — heating-cost or supplier bills — and keep energy carriers and vacancies in view.
3. Shortlist providers against the five criteria. Check § 88 GEG entitlement, the DIBt number, data capture, methodology, plus price and turnaround.
4. Compare price and delivery. Only after the quality check do you use the shortlist above or the ten-provider overview.
5. Order online and check the PDF. Order the consumption certificate online and verify the registration number on page 1 of the finished certificate.
6. Keep it ready for listing and handover. Meet mandatory disclosures and presentation deadlines once the certificate is issued.

Frequently asked questions

When is a consumption certificate enough — and when do you need a demand certificate?

A consumption certificate is enough when sale or letting requires a certificate, you are free to choose and you have solid consumption data (§ 82 GEG). For residential buildings with fewer than five dwellings and an application before 1 November 1977 the law often requires a demand certificate. If the building meets the 1977 thermal standard today, you may usually choose a consumption certificate (§ 80 (3) GEG).

Which documents do I need exactly?

You usually need heating-cost or energy-supplier bills for at least 36 consecutive months; the latest period must end at most 18 months ago. A checklist is in Documents for the energy certificate.

What does a consumption certificate cost online in 2026?

Online, consumption certificates typically cost €40 to €120, averaging around €70 (10 online providers). Before price decides, check the issuer and the DIBt number. In the shortlist energyausweis.de leads at a fixed €49. mcenergieausweis.de remains worth considering as an established provider from €59, and energieausweis-erstellen-online.de stands out from €69 with paid extras.

Is an online consumption certificate as valid as one from a chimney sweep?

Yes. An online certificate is legally equivalent to one from a chimney sweep, provided a person entitled under § 88 GEG issues it and a DIBt registration number is present.

What should I do if bills are incomplete?

If evidence is missing, recover it or use a portal that helps obtain data — otherwise the path is a demand certificate.

What changes for the consumption certificate from 2027?

Until the end of 2026, new certificates still follow the 36 months under the GEG. From 1 January 2027, § 82 requires annual, energy-carrier-differentiated data over two years (latest period at most 18 months) and only for exclusive residential use. An overview is in the article GModG enacted — new energy certificate from 2027. What ordering before the cut-off still secures is explained in Order a consumption certificate now.

Conclusion — order the right consumption certificate

In 2026 the consumption certificate is the fastest path to an energy certificate if choice and data fit. Evaluate consumption-certificate providers against the following 5 criteria: you check whether a person entitled under § 88 GEG issues the certificate, whether a DIBt number appears on page 1, how completely consumption data are captured, whether the methodology is transparent, and how turnaround and price compare. Quality and reliability come before price. In the shortlist energyausweis.de leads at €49. mcenergieausweis.de remains worth considering as an established provider. energieausweis-erstellen-online.de stands out with paid extras.

You can create a consumption certificate online or run the Ausweis-Check first if you still want to check the certificate type.