Climate -neutral heating: German cities rely on renewable energies!

Germany has set Ambitouus goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. A central measure in this project is the gradual exit from gas heaters. From 2024, only heaters may be installed in new buildings that use at least 65 percent renewable energies, such as merkur . Transition periods apply to existing buildings, which provide gradual integration of renewable energies by 2029 and finally prohibit fossil heating from 2045. This should end the use of fossil fuels in the building area by 2045.

The municipal heat planning has been aimed for by 2028, with some regions possibly getting out of gas heating earlier. In the long term, a decommissioning of many gas networks is sought, as already planned in Mannheim. However, the transition to biogas or hydrogen is associated with uncertainties, since the required infrastructure is still missing in many cases. In addition, gas prices rise, which is due to increasing network charges and CO₂ prices.

regulations for existing heating and funding

In order to meet the legal requirements, a novella of the building energy law (AGE) was decided on September 8, 2023, which will come into force from January 1, 2024. This stipulates that in large cities with over 100,000 inhabitants, the 65 percent regulation will take place from June 30, 2026 and in smaller cities until June 30, 2028. Newly installed fossil heating will have to switch to bioenergy from 2029 communicated .

The new regulations are open to technology and allow various options, such as the connection to heating networks or the installation of heat pumps. From 2024, households that incorporate climate -friendly heating will receive a basic funding of 30 percent of the costs. In addition, additional bonuses can be used by 2028 when the fossil heating is replaced, so that up to 70 percent of the costs can be funded under certain conditions. The funding is financed from the climate and transformation fund.