My vision for 2026 – Digital decarbonization in existing buildings finally becomes standard practice

By Christopher von Gumppenberg, Managing Director of KUGU Home GmbH

For me, 2026 will be the year in which digital decarbonization in existing buildings finally moves from pilot status to regular operation. We are at a point where the technical possibilities are available – now it's a matter of making them widely available, easy to use, and economically viable.

For KUGU, 2026 means above all: scaling up our impact. We have successfully completed the pilot phase with many customers and are now entering the rollout phase. Our focus is on intelligently optimizing heating systems, making energy consumption transparent, and thus creating the basis for measurable CO₂ reduction in existing buildings – without extensive structural interventions and without any loss of comfort for residents. Specifically, we are investing in the further development of our Energy Suite, in a practical user portal, and in even closer integration of energy management and billing.

We are also placing particular emphasis on expanding our solutions in the field of modern multivalent heating systems and sector coupling. The future of the building stock does not lie in stand-alone systems, but in the intelligent interaction of heating and electricity applications. Heat pumps, photovoltaics, and dynamic electricity tariffs must be digitally orchestrated so that they can be operated in a grid-compatible, stable, and economical manner. To this end, we are developing data-based control logics that bring together heating and electricity systems, reduce peak loads, and make targeted use of flexibilities.

What makes me optimistic is the growing openness of the housing industry to data-based solutions. More and more decision-makers are recognizing that decarbonization is not an abstract climate goal, but an operational task with clear economic effects. Our digital solutions currently enable savings of over 20 percent on average. Consistently leveraging this potential in 2026 is an enormous opportunity for the entire industry.

At the same time, I also see risks: inconsistent regulatory requirements, a lack of investment security, and overly complex processes can slow down progress. My biggest concern is not a lack of technology, but a lack of implementation power. If we get bogged down in detailed specifications instead of acting pragmatically, we lose valuable time.

My goal for 2026 is  clear: to make digitalization so simple, reliable, and effective that it becomes a natural tool for the housing industry. That is our ambition at KUGU. Decarbonization must evolve from a special project to part of daily operations.

My wish for the new year: more courage to implement, more trust in digital solutions, and more shared responsibility for the building stock.

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