STORY: Alain Rappsilber, district chimney sweep in Berlin-Kreuzberg, is a very popular man these days. Because in times of rising energy prices, many people want to heat with wood or coal again. This is often possible, because the chimneys still exist, only the access has to be re-established. And that’s where chimney sweep Rappsilber comes into play. He checks whether it is possible to connect or restart a furnace. In any case, he says, the need is great: “Well, everything that has to do with stoves and without electricity is in extremely high demand. We also have one or two stove fitters in my area, and they have delivery times well into next year, because the industry can no longer deliver that many ovens. And that’s why there is demand, because many are now thinking and saying they want a bit of independence and security of supply, and they’ll just have to work hard built-in.” Retiree Michael Nentwich is also suffering from the high energy costs for his attic apartment and would like to reduce them by installing a stove. Rappsilber thinks this is possible and discusses the necessary steps with him. Because if you want to have a stove installed, you have to consider a few things: “First of all, ask the homeowner or the administration whether there are chimneys at all or whether it’s allowed. In old buildings it is often possible, if the attic hasn’t been converted, to set up the oven again. In the new buildings, things then look worse.” If in doubt, it’s better to ask a specialist, says Rappsilber. Amateur installations with assembly instructions from the Internet could be life-threatening. Then maybe it would be better to wait for an appointment with the chimney sweep. Even if it is currently difficult to obtain.