Everyone is talking about the heat transition: What will apply from 2024?

The coalition has laboriously agreed on the amendment to the Building Energy Act, GEG. Now it is time to implement the heat transition. From 2024 onwards, renewable energy must be consistently used when installing new heating systems.

Nothing is as hot as it is cooked. This also applies to the heat transition. No homeowner needs to panic. The transition will be pragmatic and socially acceptable. Transition periods, technology-open options and exemptions in special situations apply. Transition periods and compliance options have been extended once again.

A survey among homeowners by the non-profit consultancy co2online shows uncertainty, but also broad support for the heat transition. 79 percent are in favour of replacing outdated fossil heating systems with climate-friendly ones.

The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building lists the most important key points of the new Building Energy Act:

-The "renewable heating" obligation only applies to the installation of new heating systems. Exceptions and exemptions are possible in cases of hardship.

-Existing heaters can continue to be operated. Broken heaters can be repaired.

-In the event that a natural gas or oil heating system cannot be repaired, there are transitional solutions and multi-year transition periods.

-For buildings that are supplied with both central and gas floor heating, there are comprehensive transitional regulations. If the first gas floor heating in the building fails, the owners have three years to decide how to switch to "renewable heating" for the entire building. Moreover, if they have decided to centralise the heating, they are given a further ten years to implement it.

-The proposed regulation is open to all technologies. Gas heating systems can continue to be installed in existing buildings if they are operated with 65 per cent green gases or in combination with a heat pump.

-The changeover is to be supported by targeted subsidies. In addition, there are still tax reductions.

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