The federal government has agreed on the controversial building energy law with the ban on the installation of new gas and oil heating systems. According to this, the core principle remains that from January 1, 2024, every newly installed heating system must be operated with 65 percent renewable energies. However, there should be exceptions, transition periods and comprehensive funding.
According to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, there is now a completed draft law that will first go to the state and association hearings and then to the cabinet. The ministries wanted to pass the law in the cabinet in the second half of April, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Construction on Friday.
“The fact that the draft of the Building Energy Act is now shared by all government parties hopefully pacifies the debate and ensures that the important and difficult topic is discussed calmly and prudently,” said Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). “The law sets the course for climate neutrality for another sector and we enable a pragmatic transition. I’m very satisfied.”
The draft law dispenses with the originally planned replacement obligation for functioning oil and gas heating systems. If old heating systems break down after 2024, there are transitional periods. The 65 percent rule for installing new heaters also doesn’t apply to homeowners over the age of 80.
The new law only applies if their house is inherited or sold – with a transitional period of two years. A hardship case exception should be the profitability, if the building value and investment sums are not in an appropriate relationship. Poorer people in particular are to be given comprehensive support with the exchange. In addition, there is no commitment to heat pumps as an alternative to oil and gas heating; instead, openness to technology applies.
The transition will be “designed in a pragmatic and socially acceptable manner,” according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Construction. “In order to make the law even more consumer-friendly, the transition periods and the options – especially for new buildings – have been extended again, for example to include solar thermal energy.” (dpa/Reuters)
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Source: Tagesspiegel
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