As of: January 22, 2024, 9:22 a.m
By: Sarah Isele
Comments
Press
Split
There has been a new building energy law since 2024.
This affects the various forms of heating.
The law calls for a move away from fossil fuels:
Property owners are facing a turning point: With the updated guidelines in the Building Energy Act (GEG), they are now required to check their heating and replace it if necessary.
From 2024, heating systems in new buildings in new development areas must be based on at least 65 percent renewable energy.
Different deadlines and guidelines must be observed for switching and continuing to operate traditional oil and gas heating systems to alternative energy sources over the next two decades.
There is also the prospect of government funding.
HEIDELBERG24 explains:
Transition to renewable heating energy starts with law
In existing properties and new buildings in so-called vacant lots - i.e. outside of new development areas - the GEG opens up a range of technical options and transition periods.
The selection ranges from electric heat pumps and hybrid heaters to solar thermal systems and connection to a district heating network.
It is advisable for owners to find out promptly about the available technologies and funding options.
The revised GEG, which has been setting the standards for heating technology and thermal insulation of real estate for some time, aims to initiate the transition to renewable heating energies with the 2024 reform.
This innovation not only affects private households, but is intended to advance the modernization of the entire heat supply in Germany and provide a guideline for necessary investment decisions.
Old oil and gas heating systems are then still permitted
For existing properties and new buildings in vacant lots, the 65 percent renewable energy requirement only comes into force once the respective municipalities have submitted their heat planning.
Large cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants have until June 30, 2026 to do this, smaller communities until June 30, 2028. Property owners are only required to act once the local energy supply plans are known.
Although the installation of pure oil or gas heating systems in existing buildings and new buildings in vacant lots will no longer be permitted from mid-2026 or 2028, existing systems may continue to be operated and repaired as long as they are functional.
Replacement is only necessary if a heater is beyond repair.
From 2045, fossil fuels will no longer be allowed in heating systems.
The existing GEG regulation on the obligation to replace old boilers after a maximum of 30 years remains unaffected.
Possible options when replacing the heating system
Homeowners whose municipalities have not yet submitted heat planning can still install oil or gas heating.
However, you should keep in mind that heating costs will increase in the coming years due to the government-set CO₂ price on fossil fuels.
In addition, an increasing proportion of renewable energies will be required from 2029.
Owners who are planning a new heating system can decide for themselves which renewable energy sources they would like to use for heating in the future.
The local conditions and the acquisition costs are crucial and whether district heating networks or networks for biogas or hydrogen will be created where you live in the medium term.
Possible options when replacing a heating system are:
Connection to a heating network
Electric heat pump with the heat source air, soil or water
Direct electricity heating (in very well insulated buildings with low heating requirements)
Hybrid heating (e.g. combination of heat pump and gas or oil boiler)
Heating based on solar thermal energy from a photovoltaic system (if the building's heating requirements are completely covered by this)
H₂-Ready gas heaters (heaters that can be converted to 100 percent hydrogen)
Biomass heating (e.g. with sustainably produced wood or pellets)
Gas heaters that use biomethane, biogenic liquid gas or green hydrogen
Heat planning is often still missing in municipalities
When deciding on a new heating system, we recommend that you seek advice from experts.
The federal government supports this financially and covers up to 80 percent of the consulting costs.
Since 2024, advice has been required before installing a new heater that runs on liquid or gaseous fuels.
This is intended to point out possible effects of municipal heating planning and potential inefficiency due to the rising CO₂ price and thus protect homeowners from bad investments in heating technology, which will be expensive for them and is not sustainable.
The law stipulates that all municipalities in Germany should submit heat planning for climate-friendly heating in the coming years.
This is intended to give residents information about which streets, for example, should have a district heating supply.
So far, municipal heating strategies have only been implemented in Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein
causing obligation.
Funding for heating replacement planned
If there is irreparable damage to natural gas or oil heating systems, there are temporary solutions: Setting up a used or rented gas heating system is possible.
There are also transition periods of 5 years
or for gas heating for up to 13 years in order to prepare for the switch to heating with 65 percent renewable energy.
If connection to a heating network is possible, the transition period is a maximum of 10 years.
Heating is particularly important in winter, which is why the 2024 heating season is in full swing - at which outside temperature you should turn on the heating.
The federal government offers financial support for switching to heating with at least 65 percent renewable energy.
The federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG) has been updated and funding applications can be submitted to the KfW Bank.
The grants can be combined and can cover up to 70 percent of the investment costs, with a basic funding of 30 percent provided.
Additional bonuses for low- and middle-income households as well as a speed bonus for quickly replacing old heating systems are also part of the funding package.
These penalties are imposed for violations of the GEG
There are also regulations for landlords and tenants.
Landlords can pass on 10 percent of the modernization costs to the rent if they take advantage of government subsidies and deduct these from the costs.
The levy is limited to a maximum of 50 cents per square meter for a period of six years.
What actually happens when homeowners ignore the legal requirements and don't install new heating systems?
Anyone who ignores the law is committing a misdemeanor.
The responsible state authorities can punish these.
The heating replacement is checked by the chimney sweeps.
In the event of violations, the Building Energy Act provides for various fines of between 5,000 and 50,000 euros.
The specific amount of the fine to be imposed depends on the severity of the violation of the respective obligation or ban.
For example, anyone who leaves their existing fossil fuel heating system running after the transition period will face the highest fine.
New heating law for climate protection
The revised GEG serves climate protection and is intended to accelerate the heating transition in Germany.
The federal government's goal is to be climate neutral by 2045.
The building sector, which accounts for around a third of energy consumption in Germany, has been causing more greenhouse gases than permitted for years.
In order to achieve climate goals and reduce dependence on energy imports, a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels, especially for heating, is necessary.
There are also many other changes that consumers will face in 2024.
(rah)
This article was machine-edited and carefully checked by editor Sarah Isele before publication.