With the new Building Energy Act, there are some changes for house and apartment owners. What applies now and what does this mean for the construction of new gas heating systems?
Syke – Even before the final decision, the Building Energy Act caused a sensation in German society and also caused controversy in the government. The law is intended to further advance climate protection in Germany and be the starting point for the switch to renewable energies for heating. It is currently causing uncertainty among people and has even caused a rush on oil and gas heating systems.
Building Energy Act: Should apply as early as 2024 - the end for gas heating systems?
According to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the law will apply as early as the first of January 2024, i.e. as early as next year. The main focus is on new heating systems. Existing heating devices do not need to be replaced for the time being. From January, only heating systems that are operated with at least 65 percent renewable energies may be installed.
No more gas heaters? These alternatives are available:
- Connection to a heating network
- Electric heat pump
- Direct electricity heating
- Hybrid heating
- Heating based on solar thermal energy
- Hydrogen heating
- Biomass heating
- (Source: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action)
Installation of a gas heating system from 2024: only possible under conditions
But what does this mean for the future of gas heating systems? Is it possible to install a gas heating system from January? The answer is yes, but only under certain conditions. This is because even newly installed gas heating systems will then have to be operated at least 65 percent renewably.
Building Energy Act: 65 percent of gas heating systems must be operated from renewable sources
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provides information on this. Because in two specific cases, these heaters can still be installed. The first option is for the heating system to use at least 65 percent green gases in the future. To do this, they must use at least 2030 percent renewable gases by 50 and reach the 2035 percent mark by 65.
When it comes to heating, there will be new rules from next year. © Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa/Illustration
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Otherwise, the combination of two forms of heating could be a solution. This is because a gas heating system can also be built together with other renewable heating systems.
An example of this: A heat pump is operated together with a gas heating system. However, it is important that the target of 65 percent is also achieved here. Renewable heating must therefore be used as a matter of priority. Incidentally, the same applies to oil heaters.
Complete end of gas heaters? - From 2045 onwards, heating must be climate-neutral
Also important: Heating with fossil fuels will only be allowed until the end of 2044. From 2045, every building must be heated in a climate-neutral way. The switch to renewable heating methods must take place gradually in every building within the next 20 years. Then there is no more room for manoeuvre. So if you buy a new heating system now, you should think carefully about the type of heating. Normally, heating systems may be operated for a maximum of 30 years, but in 20 years they will no longer be used for fossil fuels. If you don't want to replace the heating system again, you should find out as much as possible about all the possibilities, such as a heat pump.
Now you might think that switching to an old stove would be the optimal solution to the heating problem. But here, too, caution is advised. In some cases, retrofitting or even replacing the old furnace may be necessary.