The traffic light coalition's draft building energy law is causing concern among homeowners.
An overview shows when oil and gas heating systems need to be replaced - and what exceptions there are.
Berlin – From January 1, 2024, the installation of new gas and oil heating systems will be prohibited.
Every new heating system must then be operated with 65 percent renewable energies.
That's what the traffic light coalition's new draft law says.
An overview shows what this means for homeowners and owners.
First of all: So far it is a draft of the traffic light for the controversial building energy law.
It has not yet been decided in the Bundestag in the current version, so further changes can be made.
New draft law: Will owners have to have a new heating system installed from 2024?
At least the government has now agreed on something that should bring relief to many homeowners: because in the new draft law, the traffic light waives the originally planned replacement obligation for functioning oil and gas heating systems.
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From January 1, 2024, the installation of new gas and oil heating systems will be prohibited.
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© Jan Woitas/dpa/symbol picture
This means that oil and gas heaters can continue to be used from next year if they are running properly.
If the heating shows a defect from 2024, but can be repaired, it can continue to run.
However, there is a catch with older models: If a heater has been in operation for more than 30 years, owners are obliged to modernize it.
This is a rule that has been in place for a long time.
There are only a few exceptions to this, such as for low-temperature and condensing boilers and for owner-occupiers who have lived in their property since February 2002.
Off for gas and oil heating: is there a hardship regulation?
Yes.
According to the new draft law, a general hardship regulation also applies.
This applies if, for example, the value of the building and the investment sums are inappropriate in the event of an imminent replacement of the heating system.
Also, the rules for installing new heaters don't apply to homeowners over the age of 80.
However, if your property is sold or inherited, the new law will apply again with a transitional period of two years.
Can homeowners install a new gas and oil heating system from 2024?
Installing new gas and oil heating systems from 2024 will only be possible in exceptional cases.
However, there are transition periods if, for example, a heating system has to be replaced at short notice.
A new gas or oil heater can then be installed so that those affected do not have to freeze.
However, this must then be converted to the 65 percent target with regard to renewable energies after three years at the latest.
What options are there for homeowners when replacing a heating system?
If you want or need to modernize your heating, you can use solar energy, direct electricity heating or heat pumps, for example.
Gas heating, which can also be operated with hydrogen, would also be an option.
The prerequisite for this, however, is the necessary hydrogen network to supply the fuel - and so far this has only been available in a few regions in Germany.
If you own a house in a larger city, you may also have the option of being connected to a district or local heating network.
According to the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the 65 percent requirement is therefore met.
Because these networks are to be operated with renewable energies in the coming years.
Anyone who has the prospect of connecting to such a network but is not yet able to do so is given a transitional period of five years.
Depending on the individual case, different options can come into play - energy consultants can help those affected to find a solution.
They can then check which energy measures are most suitable in the individual case and which deadlines apply.
This can hardly be found out independently, says Julian Schwark from the Federal Association of Chimney Sweep Trades to WDR.
Qualified consultants can be found through the German Energy Agency.
List of rubrics: © Jan Woitas/dpa/Symbolbild