An alliance of trade unionists, trade associations and environmentalists warns against the installation of hydrogen-capable gas heaters and describes them as a bogus solution. The sixteen signatories of an open letter to the members of the Bundestag demand that the corresponding passage must be deleted from the proposed reform of the Building Energy Act, as the dpa reports. The letter is scheduled to be sent this Tuesday. The amendment to the Building Energy Act (GEG) still has to be approved by the Bundestag, it has already been dealt with in the Bundesrat.
Technically and economically not feasible
A conversion of networks, house connections and heating from natural gas to hydrogen is “neither technically nor economically feasible in the breadth of the building sector,” according to the signatories, according to the dpa. In addition, hydrogen will remain a scarce and expensive commodity even after 2030. This means that investing in a hydrogen-capable gas heating system threatens to become a cost trap for consumers. The letter also says: “In view of the increasingly pressing climate crisis, there is no time to rely on sham solutions and use them to justify the fact that natural gas will continue to be used for heating for many years.”
The signatories include the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), the Federal Heat Pump Association, the IG Bau trade union, the Federal Association of Consumers and the Central Association of German Chimney Sweeps. Planning security is required for the heat transition, the associations are demanding.
The Federal Association of Heat Pumps, among others, stated in a lengthy statement that which investment decisions in the industry depend on the GEG. The association emphasizes: “Manufacturers of heat pumps are investing billions in advance and trust in the introduction of a reliable and effective control system.” A cost reduction for heat pump electricity is advisable, since the relief for natural gas is “significantly greater” in comparison, for example through an additional reduction in VAT; “On the electricity side, on the other hand, a reduction in VAT has not been made”.
December 2044 is over
In the traffic light coalition at federal level, the FDP had campaigned for H2-Ready gas heating systems to be included in the Building Energy Act. Existing heaters can continue to be used, and repairs are still possible, emerges from the draft law (PDF). However, fossil fuels may only be used in heating systems until December 31, 2044.
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