Habeck's heating plans: High fines threaten "wrong heating"

There is a lot of excitement in Germany about Robert Habeck's heating law.

Sensitive penalties threaten those who do not comply with the requirements of the GEG.

Munich – Robert Habeck's heating plans are criticized and should come.

The Economics Minister's new heating law has been met with criticism from all sides.

From the population and from politics.

And even the chimney sweeps don't see themselves as the "energy police" with Habeck's heating law.

In addition, there is also a risk for Habeck's heating plans, since an EU ban could undermine heat pumps.

Habeck's heating plans: High fines threaten "wrong heating"

With the new Building Energy Act (GEG), property and house owners are apparently facing high penalties and hefty fines for incorrect heating.

Penalties and fines are also already anchored in the previous heating law.

But with the implementation of Habeck's new heating plans and the ban on oil and gas heating, significantly more offenses will be punished.

Overall, the Heating Act sees 35 facts that can be punished as an administrative offence.

For clarity: The heating law of Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) stipulates that every new heating system must run with 65 percent renewable energies from 2024.

Due to the ban on oil and gas heating, a new installation of these heaters is prohibited.

In addition, there are hefty penalties and fines for "incorrect heating" if the heaters break the law.

Habeck's heating law: "Type of heating, funding, fines: the cabinet decides, the questions remain open"

The confusion and, above all, the insecurity among the population remain great.

The telephones at counseling centers are no longer ringing.

"Now our companies are getting so many calls and inquiries that it's many times more." And practically all callers want to know "what's next with the heating systems," explained Julian Schwark, the Energy Director at the Federal Association of Chimney Sweeps via 

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There are high penalties for disregarding Habeck's heating law.

© RONNY HARTMANN/afp

It is precisely this fact that has not gone unnoticed by politicians, even if owners are to receive money from the state for the implementation of Habeck's heating plans.

The CDU deputy railed

against the implementation of Habeck's heating plans at

Many people are unsure of what to expect,” Andreas Jung rumbles and demands: “You need clarity now, otherwise even more trust will be damaged.”

Catalog of penalties for Habecks heating plans: fines of up to 5,000 euros

While the general uncertainty about Habeck's heating plans has not yet subsided, the catalog of penalties is now coming to light.

So what fines will be due when the GEG comes?

Overall, there should probably be three levels of fines.

These should range from 5000 to 50,000 euros.

• A fine of 5000 euros will be due for those who ...

• who either do not have their heating system installed correctly, set it up correctly or do not have it operated correctly

• after 2030 use natural gas instead of biogas (or instead of hydrogen after 2035)

• not equip a heating system with a heat pump

• do not keep their statements or do not keep them for at least five years

• not ensuring that at least 65 percent of the energy is renewable

• do not subject their heating system to a heating test or do not do so in good time

• do not subject their heating system to a heating test or do not do so in good time

Habeck's heating plans: fines of up to 10,000 euros

• A fine of 10,000 euros will be due if ...

• an unauthorized energy performance certificate is issued

• it is not ensured that new owners are given an energy certificate

• an inspection of the heating was not carried out in time

• care is not taken to ensure that the data stated on the energy certificate is correct

• it is not ensured that the real estate advertisement covers the mandatory information specified there

Habeck's heating law: fine of 50,000 euros

• A fine of 10,000 euros will be due if ...

• with a view to energy demand and heat loss

  a residential building is not built according to the specifications it is not ensured that a floor is insulated

• an old climate-damaging boiler is in operation

• if the limitation of the heat emission and heat absorption of pipes and fittings is not regulated

Habeck's heating plans: fines and catalog of penalties will probably continue to heat up

With the catalog of penalties and the hefty fines that Habeck's heating plans entail, tempers will probably continue to heat up.

It has also not yet been clarified how the heating plans are to be implemented, as an association warns of a huge shortage of the relevant specialists.

Opposition to the Economy Minister's plans, which could, among other things, destroy old-age provision, is coming from all corners - and the severe penalties will not help it die down in the near future.

At least Robert Habeck explains how he heats his home and makes himself comfortable.

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