Heating: Oil heating soon banned? What the "exchange obligation" means

During the energy and price crisis, some energy prices in Germany exploded. The price increase in heating fuels was massive and formative for many consumers. Primarily the prices for gas and heating oil had risen extremely at the peak of the energy crisis – at times a liter of heating oil was almost empty two Euro tasted Fortunately, a slight downward trend in heating oil prices can now be seen. Nevertheless, one or the other heating oil customer has been thinking since the explosion in energy prices: is oil heating still up to date?

Oil heaters: replacement obligation applies – these heaters in Germany are affected

At the beginning of the year, heating oil prices were flying low – as of January 16, heating oil prices are picking up again a little. It’s up and down – exact price forecasts are difficult. Here in particular, alternatives to oil heating are interesting. heat pumps for example, work self-sufficiently from fuels and cause hardly any costs during operation. In addition, a number of subsidies will make a new heating system attractive in 2023. Should you buy a heat pump now or should you wait – experts have different answers to this question.

But the fact is: One or the other heating oil customer will not be able to choose in the future. In the course of the heat transition, the “Building Energy Act” (GWG) was passed by politicians. The “replacement obligation” is also recorded here. This one targets old ones Gas and oil heating and has far-reaching consequences for affected consumers. Certain heating oil customers in Germany are obliged to exchange their oil heating within a period of time – the decisive factor is age. The exchange obligation applies:

Obligation to replace oil heating systems: age is decisive – which heating system is affected when

The stated requirements for the obligation to replace old gas and oil heating systems are based on information from “heizung.de” – an online portal for heating technologies. The first point mentioned in the list is the most important. In principle, oil and gas heating systems that are more than 30 years old are affected by the replacement obligation. However, the decisive factor is always the year of construction and not the year of operation. That’s why you can of the exchange obligation easily locate affected oil heaters:

However, the obligation to replace is not only aimed at existing gas and oil heating systems – from 2026 no new ones should either oil heaters more to be installed in Germany. However, there can be no talk of a general “ban on oil heating”. According to the company, which specializes in heating, there will still be exceptions from 2026 onwards “Viessmann”. It goes on to say: “In rural areas, for structural reasons, oil heating is often the only affordable heat generation option.

Will oil heating soon be banned in Germany? This is how the exchange obligation is to be assessed

A blanket ban for everyone oil heaters would have fatal consequences for many residents, especially in rural areas, reports “Viessmann”. To put it the other way around, the replacement obligation only applies to buildings in which regenerative heat generation is possible. In addition, the oil heaters integrated into hybrid heating systems can continue to be used from 2026 – according to the GWG, they are also not subject to the replacement obligation. Oil heaters in particular can be flexibly integrated into hybrid systems.

“From 2026, new oil heating systems only have to be equipped with a regenerative component – for example with solar collectors for heating service water,” summarizes market analyst Klaus Bergmann from the “esyoil” comparison portal. A combination of oil heating and heat pump is also possible and is even subsidized by the state. There is no separate subsidy for a normal oil heating system. However, up to 40 percent subsidies from the state are possible for a heat pump. The following overview:

Obligation to replace old oil heating: grandfathering – you should know these exceptions

That problem Here: Despite state subsidies, regenerative heat generators are an expensive investment. The costs for a heat pump alone are in the five-digit range. The exceptions to the replacement obligation are therefore all the more interesting for many consumers. There are several of them. Anyone who has lived in their property with an old oil heating system since February 1, 2002 or earlier falls under grandfathering. Even citizens with an oil condensing boiler are not affected by the replacement obligation.

The oil heating with condensing technology is one of the modern systems and works very efficiently. She is that too model, which is currently still for sale. Gas or oil heating systems with a rated output of less than four kW are also not affected by the replacement obligation. In summary, it can therefore be said that a ban only applies to old oil heating systems – and only if a household does not fall under one of the several exceptions mentioned. Therefore, the term “exchange” is also more appropriate and not to be equated with prohibition.

Replace oil heating: Don’t forget the government subsidies – these subsidies are available

But even if there is no general ban on oil heating – especially with regard to the price of heating oil and the climate, old heating systems should be replaced when the time comes. There is also an attractive heating exchange bonus from the state for replacing an old oil heating system. This one can basic funding to be counted on. The application for a heat exchange bonus for an oil heating system can be submitted online. The linked article summarizes more about the requirements and the exact process.

In combination with a basic subsidy for a heat pump or pellet heating system, the heat exchange bonus can add up to the total. It is therefore worthwhile to calculate exactly whether a hybrid heating system actually pays off. In case of doubt, it can even be financially more attractive, the old one oil heating to replace completely and take the heat exchange bonus with you. But one thing is certain: If you use your oil heating system in combination with a regenerative heat generator, you are on the safe side with regard to the obligation to replace it.

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