At the turn of the year, the Building Energy Act comes into force, which sets deadlines for replacing old oil and gas heating systems. However, according to Federal Construction Minister Geywitz, an earlier exchange could be worthwhile.
Federal Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) has advised consumers to replace their gas heating more quickly than required by the new heating law. “It may be worthwhile to replace the heater more quickly and not install a new gas heater,” Geywitz told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
One incentive for this is the “climate speed bonus”, which provides more funding for a quicker exchange. “But everyone has to make the decision for themselves.” If you have just installed a new gas heater, the question arises less “than if the gas heater is coming to the end of its life in the next two or three years,” the minister continued.
Building Energy Act comes into force from 2024
The Heating Act – officially the Building Energy Act (GEG) – comes into force at the turn of the year and stipulates that every newly installed heating system must be powered by 65 percent renewable energy. Specifically, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, this green electricity requirement initially applies to all new buildings in new development areas for which a building application is submitted from January. There are transition periods for existing buildings and new buildings outside of new development areas.
The maximum funding rate for the installation of heating systems should be increased by up to 70 percent for private individuals. Every owner who installs climate-friendly heating should be able to receive 30 percent funding. Another 30 percent is reserved for low-income earners who own their own home. There is also the “climate speed bonus” of 20 percent, which reduces over time. These pillars can be combined to a maximum of 70 percent.
Minister defended Mandatory advice before replacing the heater
Geywitz defended the mandatory advice in the future before installing a new gas heating system. “It makes sense to point out to people that gas heating becomes expensive heating – simply because the price of CO2 is rising,” says Geywitz. “If we don’t communicate the consequences of technological disruption, we could be in for a rude awakening.”
Heating with a gas or oil heater becomes more expensive with the turn of the year. The CO2 price rises from 30 to 45 euros per ton. The CO2 price for all fossil energy sources such as heating oil, natural gas, gasoline and diesel has existed in Germany since 2021. The consumption of these raw materials is becoming more expensive, which is intended to contribute to climate protection. In the coming years, the price of climate-damaging energy sources is expected to continue to rise.