There are lots of new rules to keep in mind in the new year. The implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is bringing changes, the Building Energy Act (GEG) is being tightened up, and higher requirements are being placed on heat pumps. Here are the changes in detail:
• The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) must be transposed into national law by May 2026. The German government is therefore seeking to amend the Building Energy Act (GEG) to make it simpler, more technology-neutral and more flexible. The requirement that newly installed heating systems must be powered by at least 65 per cent renewable energy is controversial.
• Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG) is to be cut. The savings will mainly affect funding for residential buildings.
• Individual measures such as insulating a house, replacing windows or heating systems, on the other hand, are to receive increased funding. There will also be a greater focus on age-appropriate and barrier-free conversion of residential buildings. A subsidy programme for charging stations in multi-family dwellings is also planned.
• The CO2 price for heating with gas and oil will rise significantly. This could increase energy costs by up to 1.55 pence per kilowatt hour for gas and up to 20.70 pence per litre for oil.
• There will no longer be a fixed feed-in tariff for newly installed photovoltaic systems. Instead, alternatives for small PV systems could be introduced. So-called energy sharing between neighbours will be permitted from July 2026.
• The final transition period of the Federal Immission Control Ordinance will end. Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces installed between 1 January 1995 and 21 March 2010 will only be permitted if they comply with the prescribed emission limits.
• From 2026, chimney sweeps will no longer be required to affix stickers to older heating systems indicating their energy efficiency class.
• Cities must submit heating plans by mid-2026 that specify future heat supply.
• By the end of 2026, properties with central heating systems that cannot be read remotely must be retrofitted with meters.
• From 2026, stricter noise limits will also apply to the installation of new heat pumps.
Photo: © Murali Nath, Pixabay
