In fact, the new heating law hardly differs from the first draft

Heat pump on the house wall

The topic of hydrogen was also included in the original draft. According to this, heating systems for the use of green hydrogen were permitted. The original law was open to technology.

(Photo: dpa)

It is hard to believe how much controversy there has been over the draft law by the Ministry of Economics and Building, according to which new heating systems are to be 65 percent renewable from 2024. Representatives of the FDP, SPD and Greens accused each other of being closed to technology and a lack of climate commitment in endless talk shows – and discussed the matter in the coalition committee for several days and nights. All this for an agreement that hardly changes anything for the population.

The draft law, which the traffic light coalition agreed on Friday evening, still provides for a 65 percent rule. It always includes transition periods for broken gas heaters and still the announcement of hardship regulations. Furthermore, the 65 percent rule can also be met with other types of heating than the heat pump, for example with district heating or biomass. Nothing new so far.

The topic of hydrogen was also included in the original draft. According to this, heating systems for the use of green hydrogen were permitted. The original law was open to technology.

Gas heating still possible for over 80-year-olds

What is new is that blue hydrogen can also be used – i.e. hydrogen that was produced from natural gas instead of green electricity and water. But only if it meets strict criteria. Hydrogen-capable gas heaters are only allowed if there is a binding investment and transformation plan for hydrogen networks. It is questionable whether this will enable consumers to install gas heaters in practice.

Another innovation, which ostensibly enables more openness to technology, is also unlikely to be relevant: from 2024, hybrid heating systems will also be permitted in new buildings instead of pure heat pumps. However, hybrid heating systems are hardly worthwhile in new buildings. Even the joint draft of the three governing parties explicitly states the need for hybrid heating in new buildings: “In practice, this should only be relevant in a very small number of cases.”

Only one aspect of the new law should change the situation very specifically and directly for some people: over 80-year-olds do not have to switch to renewable heating.

The conclusion remains: the week-long coalition dispute has brought about a small, concrete change for homeowners – and alongside it a bunch of camouflage formulations that feign progress. However, details on the financial relief for citizens are still missing. Above all, two things were achieved: a confusion of the population and an unnecessary waste of time.

More: Ban on oil and gas heating – Owners have these options

source site-15