Brief answers · clear next steps
Your question. A clear next step.
Find short answers about cars, solar electricity and heating. Choose a topic and open the relevant question. Follow the links for more detail when you need it.
Where do I start?
I have several ideas. Which should I tackle first?
Start with your next decision, such as replacing your heating, getting a new car or renovating your roof. Note any later projects too. This helps you consider cable routes, space and responsibilities together without commissioning everything at once.
Your next step: Organise your projects together →
What can I do as a tenant?
Your options depend on the available areas, parking space, building and the necessary agreements, among other factors. Plug-in solar, a reliable public charging routine and a prepared request about shared systems are different starting points. First choose the specific issue you want to address.
Your next step: Prepare discussions as a tenant or flat owner →
Who can help independently of a specific product offer?
The Regional Energy Agency Ulm and Verbraucherzentrale’s energy advice service can provide initial guidance. When booking, ask about the right format, scope and any costs. Detailed design and quotes may then be needed for implementation.
Your next step: Find a suitable advice service →
Does EnergyCheckUlm replace professional advice or a quote?
This website helps you organise terms, options and unresolved questions. An on-site assessment, a binding quote, information about a connection and a funding decision come from the respective organisations responsible. Use the preparation list to make progress with a focused enquiry.
Your next step: Prepare for your discussion →
Cars and charging
Could an electric car suit my everyday life without my own parking space?
What matters is whether you can regularly meet your typical charging needs at accessible locations. Check your routes, how long you stay, access, costs and a backup option. The number of charging points alone does not answer this question.
Your next step: Plan a reliable charging week →
How do I know whether I can have a home charger?
Clarify the parking space, who can authorise the work and the technical situation with a qualified electrical installer. The process also includes the required steps with the responsible grid operator. A charging-time calculation is not a grid connection assessment.
Your next step: Work through the steps towards a home charger →
Do I need the highest possible charging power?
First compare the energy needed between charging sessions with the time the car is parked. The vehicle, charger and connection together limit the power you can actually use. The charging-time calculator provides guidance; discuss the detailed design with your installer.
Your next step: Estimate charging demand and time →
Can I use solar electricity for my car if I only get home in the evening?
To charge directly with surplus solar electricity, generation and your charging window need to coincide. Consider working from home, weekends and other times the car is parked. An annual energy balance alone does not show how much solar electricity actually reaches the car. A battery is a separate option to assess.
Your next step: Compare parking times and surplus solar electricity →
How climate-friendly is an electric car, including its battery?
A climate assessment also includes manufacturing and electricity supply. Vehicle size, energy consumption, the electricity mix and the period of use affect the result. Explore manufacturing, use and sources.
Solar electricity and batteries
How can several flats use electricity from a shared roof?
A rooftop project can supply electricity for communal building uses or individual flats. For electricity supplied to flats, shared building supply (GGV) and EEG tenant electricity differ in particular in their arrangements for additional grid electricity, contracts and billing. Start with the intended benefit and the people responsible.
Your next step: Compare models and prepare for the discussion →
Can I generate solar electricity without my own roof?
Plug-in solar can be a starting point if you have a suitable space. Check the location, shading, mounting, electrical connection and necessary agreements. Even on a balcony, the benefit depends on when you can use the electricity generated.
Your next step: Check your balcony step by step →
Does a PV system always need a battery?
No. First assess the PV system, then the additional benefit of a battery. Consider consumption times, usable capacity, losses and additional costs. Ask for quotes for options with and without a battery on the same basis.
Your next step: Compare the additional benefit →
What is the difference between self-consumption and self-sufficiency?
The self-consumption rate describes the share of generated solar electricity used in the household. The self-sufficiency rate describes the share of electricity consumption covered by your own solar electricity. The two percentages have different reference quantities and can therefore differ.
Your next step: Understand the terms through an example →
Does the solar roof map confirm that my roof is suitable?
It provides an initial estimate of solar potential. It does not replace an assessment of the actual roof condition, structural capacity, specific shading or construction requirements. Use the result as a starting point for an on-site assessment and a transparent quote.
Your next step: Move from solar potential to a roof assessment →
Heat and heating systems
Could a heat pump also work in an existing house?
The year of construction alone cannot answer this. Relevant factors include heat demand, the required flow temperature, radiators or other heat emitters, and possible improvements to the building. Have the situation and suitable options assessed together.
Your next step: Prepare your questions about the building →
What do heating load and seasonal performance factor mean?
The heating load describes the heating power required under specified design conditions. The seasonal performance factor (SPF, “JAZ” in German) is the ratio of heat delivered to electrical energy used over a year. An assumed SPF is not yet a measured value for your future system in operation.
Your next step: Understand efficiency and assumptions →
My house is in a heat planning area. Does that mean I will get district heating?
An area shown in the municipal heat plan provides planning guidance. It does not replace specific information about connection availability, timing and conditions for your house. You need to ask the responsible heat supplier about your property.
Your next step: Distinguish the heat plan from connection information →
Who should I ask about a district heating connection in Ulm?
Depending on your address, FUG or SWU is the appropriate starting point. Describe the building, existing heating and when you would like to switch. Ask who is responsible, about connection costs and recurring price components, and what work is needed inside the house. Direct general questions about the municipal plan to the City of Ulm.
Your next step: Find the right contacts and documents →
Costs and funding
How do I compare quotes with very different structures?
First use the same task and scope of work as the basis. Compare investment, running costs, finance and unresolved items separately. A low equipment price tells you little if alterations or necessary services are missing.
Your next step: Use the comparison template →
Can I count on funding in my budget?
Treat funding that has not yet been confirmed as an unresolved item. Check the specific programme and its current procedure before making a commitment. Conditions, availability and the assessment of your individual case are matters for the funding body.
Your next step: Check programmes and the responsible organisations →
Is funding currently available from the City of Ulm?
The city reports a suspension of applications and funding under its energy funding programme since 1 September 2026. This grant should therefore not be treated as a confirmed part of the budget for new projects. Clarify existing applications separately with the city, and check the status again before deciding.
Your next step: Open the Ulm funding notice and the city’s source →
Are grants and subsidised loans the same, and when can I place an order?
A grant and a repayable loan are different sources of finance. The steps before applying, signing a contract and carrying out the work also vary by programme. A general rule for every measure would be misleading. Clarify the sequence for your specific programme before placing an order.
Your next step: See the different funding procedures →
Understand figures and results
What is the difference between kW and kWh?
Kilowatts (kW) describe power. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) describe an amount of energy. For example, a constant 2 kW for one hour gives 2 kWh. Power can vary in real systems, so use appropriate time periods and assumptions in your calculations.
Your next step: Look at energy demand and charging time together →
Does a calculator show my actual future costs?
It calculates a result from the values entered and the model described. Our charging calculators cover specific energy and tariff costs. The total vehicle cost calculator adds purchase costs, expected resale proceeds and other running costs for two purchase options. Unknown fees and changes in use can affect the result.
Your next step: Check the tariff comparison and calculation method →
Can I apply a result to other households or years?
Only if demand, technology, prices, the time period and other assumptions are appropriate. Change important inputs and observe the difference. A chosen example explains a relationship; it is not a forecast for your building.
Your next step: Explore the effect of assumptions →
Why can the data date and the date checked differ?
The data date indicates the period to which a figure or plan relates. The date checked indicates when we last reviewed the source. A statistic checked today may therefore still describe an earlier year. For a specific decision, current information from the responsible organisation also matters.
Your next step: See an Ulm data example with sources →
Does your question need more than a short answer?
Note what you already know and which decision is still unresolved. The advice page helps you turn this into a specific question for the right organisation.
Sources and review date
Editorial and source review: 19 September 2026. The linked topic pages provide more detailed explanations, calculator limitations and official sources. The notice about Ulm’s funding suspension describes the status checked on that date; check it again before making a decision.