Renewable Energy Heating: What Homeowners Need to Know Now – Economy

The traffic light coalition wants to ban the installation of new gas and oil heating systems from next year. After many hours of discussions about the Building Energy Act, the SPD, Greens and FDP agreed on Friday evening on almost as many exceptions in order to create “planning security for house and apartment owners, manufacturers and craftsmen”, said government representatives. The most important questions and answers at a glance.

Do I have to replace my oil or gas heating from January?

No. According to the information, the government has agreed that functioning oil and gas heating systems can continue to run – even if they break down and can be repaired. In doing so, it waives the originally intended exchange obligation.

What if my oil or gas heater is so broken that I need a new one?

Each newly installed Heating must be operated with at least 65 percent renewable energy. To accommodate homeowners, the government has agreed on an interim solution. If the old heating can no longer be repaired, an oil or gas boiler can be installed again at short notice. A heating system that meets the 65 percent requirement only has to be installed within three years.

This regulation is intended to prevent people from having to freeze in winter, because there are long delivery times for heat pumps, for example. However, it is likely to lead to higher costs, because first the new boiler has to be purchased and then the conversion to renewable energies.

Are there other exceptions?

Yes. If you are older than 80 years, you do not have to upgrade your new boiler to the 65 percent specification. The new regulation only applies if the house is inherited or sold. Within two years, it must then be converted to a heating system that meets the new limit for renewable energy energy Fulfills. A hardship case exception should also be possible if the value of the building and the investment sums are disproportionate – although there is currently no information on exactly what this exception should look like.

Do I have to have one? heat pump install?

Yes, but probably with a tendency to yes. The governing coalition has agreed on openness to technology, which the FDP in particular had wanted. A new gas heating system can be installed from 2024 if the conditions are met. The heating must be “convertible to 100 percent hydrogen” and there must be a “binding investment and transformation plan for hydrogen networks,” according to the government. And the heating would have to be operated with at least 50 percent biomethane by 2030 and with at least 65 percent hydrogen by 2036 at the latest. Experts warn, however, that the so-called H2-Ready heaters for the combustion of pure hydrogen would still have to be converted at great expense.

A hybrid system of heat pump and gas heating is also possible, in which the heat pump covers the basic supply and the gas heating steps in on cold days. It should be noted that the rising CO2 price should Heat with fossil fuels will make it expensive in the future.

What other alternative technologies are there?

Direct electricity heating that uses electricity from renewable energy sources is also possible. Or the connection to a heating network. The district heating provider must then ensure that the heat is generated green. It is also possible to use biomass.

solar thermal systems probably not reach in Germany the 65 percent rate when combined with fossil fuel heating. However, they could be used together with a wood boiler or a heat pump.

So what should I buy for a new heater now?

recommend consumer advocatesto seek independent advice. Real estate is very different. What works in one house may not work in another apartment. The consumer advice centers send an independent energy consultant, which they say costs 30 euros. The consultant creates a report for the property and lists the heating options that make sense from his experience. A so-called is significantly more extensive and correspondingly more expensive individual renovation roadmap. According to the consumer advice centers, it usually costs a homeowner 300 to 900 euros.

Do I get money from the state for the purchase of a new heating system?

The government is planning a subsidy program, but the details are still open. They are currently being negotiated. The money for this should come from the climate and transformation fund. From circles in the Federal Ministry of Finance it is said that there will be a kind of scrapping premium for old heating systems, which is graded according to the age of the systems to be replaced.

Has the new building energy law now been passed?

No. The three coalition parties have initially only agreed on the draft law – but they all support it, emphasize the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Federal Ministry for Building. The draft is to go to the state and association hearing in April and then to the cabinet. So there is still a chance that things will change. The government wants to discuss and pass the law in the Bundestag before the summer break.