Renovations are crucial if property owners aim to meet the EU’s requirements for building energy efficiency. Maximilian Deiters, 32, co-founder of Zerotude, demonstrates how property owners can effectively renovate their holdings.
You’ve likely seen energy declarations in building entryways, showing a building’s energy efficiency rating, graded from A to G, green to red. Around 70% of buildings in Europe sit at the lower end of the scale, in the orange and red zones. However, recent EU directives now require all buildings to show a green rating by 2050.
We have a lot of work ahead of us,” explains Maximilian Deiters, who founded Zerotude with Ricardo Bernardo, head of the Energy and Building Design department at LTH.
In Sweden, Boverket has been tasked with investigating how the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) can be integrated into Swedish legislation and the implications this will have domestically. The law is to take effect by May 2026. The EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) also impacts the actions property owners need to take.
For property owners, a key challenge is prioritizing how to implement changes. Which renovation yields the greatest impact, and what are the costs?
Currently, an energy consultant must visit each building to analyze it, compile data, and then calculate the costs of the suggested measures. Zerotude has automated this process.
“We can help a property owner prioritize their budget by district, city, or even nationwide. Our model is unique in providing this insight,” says Maximilian Deiters.
Zerotude offers a digital 3D model of an entire property portfolio. Using AI and user data, the model calculates performance and presents cost-effective renovation proposals to property owners.
Other companies conduct similar analyses, but lack certain critical data points, explains Maximilian Deiters. This means existing solutions mostly focus on visualizing energy consumption.
Zerotude, on the other hand, uses its AI model to forecast a building’s condition, allowing it to identify buildings with high potential.
Renovating is rarely something property owners look forward to, but it’s a necessity to remain competitive in the property market.
“Energy is a hot topic, where solutions like AI-driven controls offer a quick return on investment. However, 70% of energy loss in a property occurs through roofs, facades, windows, and ventilation, so major renovations are required to meet EU goals, which is our focus,” says Deiters.
The company recently closed its first investment round, raising over seven million SEK. Investors include Skåne Ventures and Hypergene founders Per Hidenius and Per Engwall.
In 2025, Zerotude expects favorable market conditions: Swedish energy legislation will become more concrete, and water and district heating prices will rise. Zerotude aims to expand its customer base and grow from three employees to eight by the end of 2025.
