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Chimney of an apartment building in Hanover
Photograph:
Julian Stratenschulte / picture alliance / dpa
Shortly before the start of the so-called heating law, the Greens warned against the installation of new gas heating systems. "It is important to know that from January 1, 2024, the installation of a new gas heating system will entail a considerable cost risk," parliamentary group vice-president Julia Verlinden told SPIEGEL.
The installation of a new gas heating system, in the hope of running it on hydrogen at a later date, could turn out to be a cost trap. "The risk of high prices for fossil fuels as well as for the mandatory renewable substitute fuels is high and their future availability is questionable," said Verlinden.
Green hydrogen is an important pillar in the energy mix, but is urgently needed for aircraft, ships and industry, for example for the production of steel. "Most studies do not see hydrogen as a solution for heating individual buildings – especially since this would depend on considerable infrastructure investments."
According to Verlinden, the new obligation to provide advice is intended to protect consumers from cost traps. However, the law does not necessarily provide for a classic energy consultant, the advice of chimney sweeps and heating installers should also count. It is questionable whether they always make decisions in the interests of the customer. After all, it is often in the self-interest of both chimney sweeps and many heating engineers if fossil heating systems continue to be installed.
From 1 January 2024, it will no longer be possible to install new gas heating systems everywhere without meeting conditions. Owners must first take a look at municipal heat planning. It specifies which heating technologies will be available in individual streets in the future and which will not. The draft law stipulates that large cities must submit their plans for heat supply by June 30, 2026. For municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants, the deadline is to run until mid-2028.
If the heat planning for the affected house provides for a heating network or heat pumps in the future, no new gas boiler may be installed from that point on. However, households whose old heating system breaks down beyond repair can use a fossil fuel interim solution for up to five years.
Anyone who has a new gas heating system installed from next year, even though the heating plan in their municipality is not yet ready, will have to meet certain eco-quotas in the future: From 2029 onwards, the heating system must generate at least 15 percent of its heat with biomethane, green or blue hydrogen or its derivatives. The share is expected to rise to at least 2035 percent in 30 and then to 2040 percent in 60.
In this context, Green parliamentary group vice-chairman Verlinden speaks of a "at least legal option" to opt for a gas heating system that can be converted to hydrogen. However, owners are taking a financial risk in doing so, because all heating systems that are replaced or newly installed from 2024 onwards must meet the 65 percent renewable energy requirements for climate protection in the short or medium term.
Verlinden also points to the high level of government subsidies. "For example, up to 70 percent subsidy is possible for the installation of a heat pump, which is the highest heating subsidy in the history of the Federal Republic." However, it is also true that the investment costs are to be capped at 30,000 euros for a single-family house – according to this, there would be a maximum of 21,000 euros in subsidies. So far, owners of existing houses have received a subsidy of 25 to 40 percent for the new heat pump – at a cost of up to 60,000 euros per residential unit. This means that a maximum of 24,000 euros is up for grabs (read more about the new funding structure here).
HEJ/FIN