Housing company GCP, a subsidiary of the Aroundtown Group, is stepping up the energy-efficiency retrofitting of its German property portfolio. During the current year, more than 50 residential buildings are being equipped with modern heat pump systems. A total of 533 residential units will benefit from the technical overhaul of the heating supply.
IP Innovative Power, an energy services provider specialising in the decarbonisation of residential and commercial properties, is responsible for implementing the measures. The modernisation locations are concentrated primarily in North Rhine-Westphalia, including properties in Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Gladbeck, Hamm and Werdohl. Further projects are located in Berlin, Bremerhaven, Chemnitz and Halle.
Focus on existing buildings in lower energy efficiency classes
Residential properties in energy efficiency classes F, G and H were specifically included in the investment programme. At these locations, replacing fossil heating systems offers the greatest potential for a significant reduction in primary energy demand. The installed air-to-water heat pumps will handle the primary load coverage in future, while existing boilers will serve purely as a secondary backup.
As a result of the switch, the portfolio will achieve annual savings of around 2.5 million kilowatt-hours of final energy and avoid the emission of approximately 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. A large proportion of the new systems use propane as a natural refrigerant. Owing to its negligible global warming potential, the system simultaneously contributes to the European reduction strategy for fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Schedule and medium-term portfolio perspective
Organisational and construction preparations for the programme began in early 2026. To date, 37 heat pumps have been successfully installed and brought into regular operation. The interim target of 50 operational systems is scheduled to be completed by mid-November, prior to the start of the actual heating season.
- —Modernisation of 533 residential units across more than 50 buildings
- —Reduction of CO2 emissions by around 350 tonnes annually
- —Use of propane as an environmentally friendly refrigerant
- —Expansion to around 140 further properties in preparation
The initiative is set to continue beyond the current year. Early planning phases are already under way for around 140 further GCP residential properties. In this context, Limor Bermann, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aroundtown, emphasised that climate action in the existing building stock must begin where the impact is greatest. In this way, energy-inefficient properties are raised to contemporary standards, emissions are noticeably lowered and heating costs for tenants are kept stable.
