Measures for a green future
The Federal Climate Protection Act (KSG) was passed by the federal government in December 2019. Many homeowners are uncertain about the impact of the so-called "climate package" on their existing heating system. With an environmentally friendly heat pump you will always be safe.
Goals and measures of the climate package
Through the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, all signatory countries have committed to significantly reduce all CO2 emissions in order to curb global warming and halt climate change.
As a result, the Federal Climate Protection Act was passed at the end of 2019 and thus forms the legal basis for implementing climate protection measures in Germany.
CO2 pricing
This primarily affects the energy and heat generation sectors, as well as transport. From 2021, the national Emissions Trading System (nEHS) will start with a fixed price system, which means that the price per ton of CO2 is fixed and determined politically. Certificates are sold to companies that place heating and motor fuels on the market. These companies require a certificate as a pollution right for each ton of CO2 caused by the consumption of the substances. The costs incurred are, of course, passed on to the consumer.
This means that fossil fuels, such as heating oil, gasoline or diesel, will become more and more expensive in the long term.
The CO2 price will initially be 25 euros from January 2021. Thereafter, the price will rise gradually to up to 65 euros per metric ton of CO2 in 2025. After that, the price is regulated by trading the certificates.
According to calculations by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the emission of one ton of CO2 currently costs around 640 euros.
Climate neutrality from 2050
Probably the biggest goal of the German government is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, which means not producing more CO2 than can be captured by nature (e.g. by plants). This affects all sectors, from industry to private households. In order to achieve the goal of a nearly climate-neutral building stock by 2050, demanding new construction standards, long-term renovation strategies for the building stock, and a gradual shift away from fossil heating systems are prerequisites.
For new buildings, therefore, the lowest-energy building standard that will apply from 2021 will gradually be developed further in order to achieve a new building standard that is virtually climate-neutral in the medium term. The new installation of heating systems that make efficient use of renewable energies will then be much more attractive compared to heating systems using fossil fuels.
Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG)
From January 2021, all previously known funding programmes (Federal Office of Economics and Export Control & Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) will be bundled and simplified in the BEG. The funding opportunities for heat pump heating will become even more attractive.
For example, when replacing your old oil heating system, you will receive up to 50 % of the gross investment costs as a state subsidy.
What does the climate protection package mean for the house and heating?
More than 35% of all heating systems in Germany are more than 20 years old. This means that the existing heating systems are technically outdated and consume many times more energy than necessary.
Buildings are among the largest CO2 generators in Germany. According to the Federal Environment Agency, about a quarter of CO2 emissions are caused by heat generation for heating and domestic hot water. Another component of the climate package is the oil heating ban from 2026, according to which the installation of oil heating systems will no longer be permitted in buildings in which more climate-friendly heat generation is possible from 2026. A general ban on heating with oil is not included in the climate protection package. Thus, all installed oil heating systems may continue to be operated. However, oil boilers older than 30 years are still subject to mandatory replacement. However, there are some exceptions that will be defined more precisely in the Building Energy Act (GEG).
However, if you want to do something good for the climate and future generations, you can solve this problem with a modern heat pump heating system. By using green electricity, a heat pump can even be operated in a completely CO2-neutral manner. Since January 2021 at the latest, with the adjustment of the subsidy guidelines, it has been doubly worthwhile to opt for an environmentally friendly heat pump. For example, when replacing your old oil heating system, you can receive up to 50% of the gross investment costs as a government grant.
Together with your specialist partner and our alpha innotec subsidy service, you can secure the maximum subsidy for your project.
