As of: February 27, 2024, 11:35 a.m
By: Lisa Mayerhofer
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There is a huge rush for funding applications for heating replacement.
An overview of the program - and why it doesn't always have to be a heat pump.
Berlin - After a long dispute over the heating law, the time has finally come: From now on, homeowners can apply for funding from KfW to replace the heating system.
Initially, this only applies to owners of single-family homes who live in them themselves.
Nevertheless, there is a rush on Tuesday (February 27, 2024): In the morning there were waiting times when registering on the KfW portal because the rush was obviously large.
“In front of you in the waiting room are: 529 people.
The waiting room has been paused,” the website said.
An overview of the funding – and whether it is worthwhile for homeowners.
Can other building owners also receive the funding?
Yes, but they have to be patient before submitting the application.
KfW is expected to release the forms for landlords and homeowners' associations in May and August.
However, all those eligible to apply can replace their heating system by August and submit the application to KfW by November.
There is a huge rush for funding applications for heating replacement.
(Archive image) © Sascha Steinach/imago
What does the funding include?
Homeowners who also live in their house can receive a subsidy of up to 70 percent on an investment amount of 30,000 euros.
There are special bonuses for heat pumps with natural refrigerants or geothermal energy as a heat source, as well as for very clean wood heaters.
The basic subsidy for all other heating operators is 30 percent.
A contract with a specialist company is also required.
More information can be found in the graphic:
BEG funding conditions for heat pumps.
Applications can be submitted for single-family homes starting today (February 27, 2024).
© Federal Heat Pump Association (BWP)
Do I have to replace my heating now?
No, in most cases not.
The background to the new subsidies is the traffic light coalition's heating law, which has been in force since January 1st.
There had been bitter disputes over the heating law for months.
In general, functioning heaters can continue to be operated.
This also applies if a heater breaks but can still be repaired.
Since January 1st, it has been mandatory that new buildings in new development areas must have heating with 65 percent renewable energy.
In many cases this is a heat pump.
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Which types of heating are subsidized?
With a heat pump or pellet heating system, the requirement of at least 65 percent renewable energy, which is gradually becoming mandatory when replacing heating systems in accordance with the amended Building Energy Act, is fully met.
This means that owners have chosen a permanent solution for heating their building.
Does it really have to be a heat pump?
Not necessarily.
Municipal heating planning is currently underway, which is examining which communities are worth having a district heating network in.
If a heating network is planned or exists, you can consider whether a district heating connection would not be better.
“If there is no plan for a heating network, the heat pump is always an option,” says renovation consultant Frank Kettler to the
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ).
“A heat pump is suitable for many more buildings than most people think – but not for all.
With poor thermal insulation or monument protection requirements, the flow temperatures of the heating are often high, which means that a heat pump cannot work very efficiently.
Biomass heating could be an alternative.
However, in most buildings the thermal insulation can be improved so that a heat pump works well.”
Is the funding for heating replacement worth it?
According to FAZ,
Kettler thinks
: “In principle for everyone.
Because there is money.” But it is not easy to say who can get how much.
Finanztip points out another aspect: the sharp rise in prices for natural gas and heating oil.
Switching to a different heating technology is therefore also economically worthwhile, says Finanztip.
Are there any other subsidies?
Yes - if, for example, you also have to renovate.
“A basic funding rate of 15 percent is granted for renovation measures such as insulation, window replacement and heating optimization,” says Andrea Blömer, head of the Iserlohn regional office of the Association of Private Builders.
“If you use an individual restructuring plan, you get a five percent bonus on top.”
“The individual renovation plan is definitely recommended because it gives the owner an overview of the energy condition of his property, which enables him to make sensible economic decisions,” says Martin Brandis, energy expert at the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations.
It would also significantly increase the funding rates for individual renovation measures.
Without a renovation plan, the eligible costs for insulation, system technology and heating optimization are a maximum of 30,000 euros annually, with a renovation schedule up to 60,000 euros annually.
What's new from 2024: The maximum limit for heating replacement (30,000 euros) and the maximum limit for further efficiency measures (60,000 euros) can be added if various individual measures are taken - for example, an oil heating system is replaced by a heat pump and the walls are also insulated.
The combined limit is a total of 90,000 euros.
The prerequisite for funding these individual measures is the involvement of an energy efficiency expert.
Last year, many people quickly had gas heaters installed.
Was that a good idea?
“Many people panicked because of the discussion about the heating law and installed a fossil fuel heating system before that might no longer be possible later,” explains Kettler in the
FAZ
.
“I would be careful with gas heating because not all natural gas networks can continue to operate in the next 20 years if one neighbor after another switches over.
Those who quickly install gas heating may in a few years complain about high gas prices and network costs and call for government help.
It is questionable whether this will happen.” It would be better to get rid of fossil heating systems now with state support so as not to fall into a cost trap.
With material from dpa