How useful is the heat pump in the old building really?

Berlin 500,000 heat pumps are to be put into operation in Germany every year from 2024 − five times as many as today are to be running in 2030: five million. Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) issued these goals. In order to achieve these ambitious goals, the new technology must also establish itself in old buildings.

Political opponents are skeptical: Without nuclear energy, there is a risk of the electricity grid collapsing. That’s not entirely wrong, because the operation of heat pumps costs electricity – and if incorrectly designed systems are running, they need a lot of electricity, are inefficient and spoil the environmental balance.

“In an old building from the Wilhelminian period with stucco on the facade and beautiful casement windows, converting the heating to a system with a heat pump is difficult,” says Diana Hasler. The concern about climate change and the need to save energy and heat are justified. And heat pumps could help to reduce CO2 emissions in existing buildings.