The new Building Energy Act (GEG) has been in force since the beginning of 2024. It is intended to help Germany achieve its climate targets. Even if a heating system is not yet due to be replaced, there is already a need for action for homeowners' associations (WEG) with mixed heating systems or floor heating systems.
Early planning not only makes sense in order to save costs, but also to be able to carry out important coordination processes in good time. Replacing heating systems is comprehensively supported by the federal subsidy for efficient buildings (BEG). The Building Energy Act (GEG) sets out clear rules on how heating systems can be replaced.
These regulations apply not only to decentrally heated buildings, but also to mixed-supply buildings or buildings with several central heating systems operating in parallel. Since January 2024, 65 per cent of new heating systems must be powered by renewable energy, with transitional periods for existing buildings. In cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, the installation of heating systems with 65% renewable energy is mandatory after 30 June 2026 at the latest (end of municipal heating planning; in cities with up to 100,000 inhabitants after 30 June 2028).
An owners' meeting must be convened at the latest when the first gas central heating system breaks down and can no longer be repaired in order to clarify the next steps. If a gas floor heating system fails after mid-2026 or 2028 (see above), a five-year period begins for deciding whether to switch to central heating or retain the floor heating. Until the plans have been fully implemented within a maximum of 13 years, the status of implementation must be reported on at least once a year. Converting to a centralised heating supply often requires major structural changes that need to be carefully planned. The costs are apportioned according to co-ownership shares.
Important: All important information about the individual heating systems in the house must be recorded by 31 December 2024. In particular, this includes information on the type, age, operating status and nominal heat output of the systems. The relevant data is provided by the district chimney sweep from the log book.
(Photo: Emilian Robert Vicol, Pixabay)
