Berlin.
The requirements for new heating systems are to be tightened from 2024. But there is already an obligation to exchange. It’s slowly enough.
Only the horrendous energy prices in 2022 – many of which households have not yet recovered – now the heating hammer of the traffic light coalition. Many consumers are currently hitting it hard. Just a few years ago, installing a new gas or oil heating system was not a big topic of conversation in Germany. At around 7,000 to 10,000 euros, these are significantly cheaper than a heat pump or pellet heating and for many owners a worthy investment. But from 2024, with a view to the planned heating law of the traffic light parties, it could be over.
Ban on new gas and oil heating systems: controls and fines are already in place – it hits you particularly hard
Every heating system that is newly installed from 2024 should have a regenerative share of at least 65 percent. The consumer have the choice: either a heat pump from 15,000 euros upwards or a hybrid heating system. Such hybrid systems consist of a fossil heating system and modern heating technology – such as a heat pump. This means that even with hybrid heating, those affected would not be able to avoid an expensive heat pump or solar thermal system.
In Germany, there is currently an obligation to replace gas and oil heating systems that are more than 30 years old. In the foreseeable future, all owners with a gas or oil heating affected.
Compliance with the exchange obligation is checked – fines of up to 50,000 euros are threatened. Have the chimney sweeps check it out. And on this one control no one can do without if they want to heat safely. It is therefore difficult to delay the replacement obligation. Financially weaker families in particular, who are just about able to finance their old building, can be financially overwhelmed here.
There is still no hardship clause. Exceptions to the gas and oil heating ban are said to exist only for over 80-year-olds.
Further subsidies for financially weaker households have only been announced so far. Even for such cases of hardship, you have to think about exceptions – even if they were only temporary and something for those affected free space provide. For example, with a longer period of time for the exchange.
The traffic light coalition only wants to allow one exception: what a fair heat transition could look like
Instead of bans and conditions that consumer can quickly cost several thousand euros, politicians should fundamentally create more financial incentives and do more to promote the expansion of climate-friendly heating technologies. The heat pump cannot be the only solution. Pellet heating is the better alternative, especially in poorly insulated old buildings. Local and district heating also has great potential and could save many owners from investing in a new heating system, especially in larger cities.
Because in contrast to heat pump or pellet heating, no heating system needs to be installed. The heat comes directly into the house via pipes.
Ban on gas and oil heating: is it really necessary? This is what a solution without a ban could look like
It is also clear that subsidies – paid for by the Treasury – are not a solution for millions of households.
However, the state could very well invest in the expansion of local and district heating and especially in big cities expand the offer. Connection to a local or district heating network costs between 5,000 and 10,000 euros and is therefore comparable in cost terms to a new gas or oil heating system. In rural areas, the federal government could subsidize pellet heating more.
| Heating | Costs in EUR |
|
oil heating |
ab ca. 8.000 |
|
gas heating |
ab ca. 7.000 |
|
heat pump |
ab ca. 15.000 |
|
Wood or pellet heating |
ab ca. 10.000 |
|
district heating |
ab ca. 5.000 |
|
fuel cells |
ab ca. 30.000 |
|
solar thermal |
ab ca. 10.000 |
All in all, politicians could ensure more openness to technology if they subsidized building renovation more and fewer individual heating devices. Because a well-insulated house is always better for the climate than a poorly insulated old building. In turn, consumers would have more money for a heating system that really suits their building. The current funding policy sometimes creates false incentives as heat pumps are more heavily funded and may not be the best solution for all building owners.
Openness to technology means promoting all climate-friendly options – including pellets, hydrogen, biogas or local and district heating. There are enough options on the table.
| Heating | basic funding | Heating exchange bonus | Heat pump bonus | promotion total |
|
heat pump |
25 |
10 |
5 |
40 percent |
|
pellet heating |
10 |
10 |
– |
20 percent |
Politics threatens the existence of many: caution is required when it comes to heating issues
Polls are already showing that many citizens are dissatisfied with the work of the traffic light coalition. The SPD, Greens and FDP must be careful not to further alienate their voters.
Yes, it is true that policies for the climate protection seizes. However, these should be manageable for consumers in order to successfully advance the energy transition and take as many people as possible with them.
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