As of: March 30, 2024, 8:57 a.m
By: Bona Hyun
Comments
Press
Split
Experts expect the positive development in the installation of heat pumps to continue in 2024. However, there are still some challenges.
Berlin – The traffic light coalition and in particular Robert Habeck (Greens) are relying on heat pumps in the energy transition. Plans until 2030
the federal government to install six million heat pumps. The rush for gas and oil heating initially dampened hopes, and heat pumps are also much more popular abroad.
Real estate expert Dagmar Faltis, managing director of Aroundhome, is nevertheless optimistic, as she made clear in an interview with
Ippen.Media
.
2024 could be a positive year for heat pumps. © Marijan Murat/dpa
Heat pumps in Germany – expert expects a successful year
Ms. Faltis, in your opinion, are heat pumps currently well received by consumers in Germany?
We are currently seeing a very positive development and that a bit of calm has returned. There are no longer these crazy swings in customer demand, which were of course driven by uncertainty about funding. And we can once again see that in the ratio of total inquiries for heating, heat pumps are at 80 percent - a higher ratio than ever before. The situation is therefore different than last year. I assume that it will be a more successful year for heat pumps.
So would you say there is some kind of trend towards this in Germany?
Yes definitely. So last year around 350,000 heat pumps were installed. This year the target is 400,000. The topic of production is currently no longer an issue. A challenge that still exists is the issue of employees and a shortage of skilled workers.
Nevertheless, the fact is that oil and gas heating systems are still popular.
Of course, these types of heating are still in demand. What we are currently seeing in our figures is that the demand for traditional forms of heating, such as gas and oil, is declining significantly and that for heat pumps is increasing. We see a positive trend towards more heat pumps, especially when it comes to new buildings, where traditional heating systems are no longer allowed to be installed. And what comes with this, of course, are the rising CO2 taxes and the associated rising costs for gas and oil.
Therefore, at some point the consideration is forced that one has to look for other ways for monetary reasons. The heat pump is an option, but of course there are also district heating or other sustainable heating systems.
Heat pumps are more popular abroad – what Germany can learn from other countries
What could Germany learn from other countries when it comes to heat pumps?
We have already learned a lot. Especially when you look at Sweden. They offered electricity very cheaply from the start and the CO2 tax there is extremely high. So it's not worth using traditional types of heating there. And of course they also have very clear support structures. The topic is completely self-evident there, just as we talk about gas and oil, they talk about a heat pump.
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Why could a heat pump revolution fail in Germany?
I don't think there will be a revolution. I believe that there will be a stable increase, which has also happened in other countries. We currently already have the right lever to make it happen. But the issue is too expensive and too complex to call it a revolution. It has to be more of a development, I have no doubt about that. However, it must also be said that not every house is suitable for a heat pump. It is of course very important to seek advice beforehand, to find out more information and to read a lot. The heat pump is currently even more popular in some countries than in Germany.
Heat pump revolution in Germany? “We took too long with many things”
So Germany actually tended to be a little late?
Yes, of course. We took too long with many things and of course we should have taken action much earlier. Of course, the current government also has to bear a bit of this. It is now important to take the emotions out of the topic, read up, get advice and develop an action plan. It is important to have a restructuring plan drawn up and look: What are the current subsidies?
Will it be the heat pump right now, or can I make a major contribution to energy efficiency in another way and save costs at the same time? This starts, for example, with the right windows or the right facade insulation. And the topic of interconnected systems is also becoming increasingly important - i.e. the interaction between heat pumps, solar systems and heat storage so that you have the most self-sufficient energy system possible at home.