OBI Joins Forces with 42watt to Catalyze Climate-Friendly Building Renovation Revolution

OBI Joins Forces with 42watt to Catalyze Climate-Friendly Building Renovation Revolution

In a strategic move to address Germany’s soaring CO₂ emissions from the building sector, leading DIY store chain OBI has invested in the Munich-based startup 42watt. Recognizing the urgency of transforming the construction industry, the government’s new heating law aims to expedite climate-friendly building conversions. Approximately 40 percent of the EU’s energy consumption stems from heating and cooling buildings, making sustainable renovations a crucial aspect of achieving climate goals.

42watt, founded in 2021 by Marcus Dietmann and Jörg Überla, provides personalized advice and cost plans to property owners seeking energy-efficient renovations. The startup recently secured a mid-seven-figure euro amount in funding, with Contrarian Ventures leading the financing round. OBI Squared, the corporate venture arm of the renowned hardware store chain, joined as a strategic investor in November.

Manuel van de Kamp, Chief Product Officer at OBI, highlights the collaboration’s potential to seamlessly guide customers through the entire renovation process, from identifying needs to implementation. This partnership leverages OBI’s widespread brand recognition and physical sales channels, extending 42watt’s outreach beyond online platforms.

Dietmann, an architect with expertise in energy efficiency, emphasizes the necessity of accelerating the renovation rate to meet climate goals. The founders envision their project as a significant lever for climate protection, aiming to achieve an average energy consumption of less than 42 kilowatt hours per square meter annually—a target reflected in the startup’s name.

42watt’s advice, delivered independently of its renovation services, includes a state-funded plan covering 80 percent of costs, with customers contributing 395 euros. The startup’s digital scenario planner, developed in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, aids property owners in assessing renovation measures’ costs and profitability.

With rapid growth as their primary objective, 42watt aims to continue expanding its product portfolio and team. The founders foresee their company becoming profitable in the near future, emphasizing their commitment to driving energy-efficient renovations on a mass scale. As the market experiences exponential growth, 42watt is steadfast in building a sustainable future for millions of households.