These heating systems will soon be banned

For many households, the heating law is a product of the traffic light coalition, which is not met with approval everywhere. In reality, however, it was by no means solely the work of the last government. The bill was in place before the coalition even formed after the last election. However, the traffic light government has incorporated some innovations into the law. However, the first bans were already enshrined in law under the CDU and SPD government in 2020. The end is now imminent for the first heating systems.

30-year-old heating systems should be soft next year

At the turn of the year, the operating ban on further oil and gas heating systems came into effect. The law is deliberately aimed at particularly old heating systems. Since the GEG’s decision in 2020, all heating systems that run on liquid and gaseous fuel and were installed before January 1, 1991 have been officially banned. However, Section 72 of the GEG provides for exceptions for some systems. Low-temperature boilers and condensing boilers can continue to be operated. The same applies to systems with a nominal output of less than 4 kilowatts and more than 400 kilowatts and heaters that run in combination with a heat pump and a solar thermal system.

Fossil heaters that were installed after January 1, 1991 and are now 30 years old or older are also considered prohibited. At the same time, it now also affects all heating systems that were put into operation before 1995. If the exchange has not already taken place or is planned, it must take place in the next calendar year – with the exception of the special cases listed above. In Germany, fossil fuel heating systems should no longer be in operation from 2045. However, the EU has already set its sights on a ban on oil and gas heating from 2040. Since EU regulations have to be implemented at state level, the coming government will probably be forced to legally anchor the end to oil and gas earlier in Germany.

Anyone who has had fossil fuel heating installed or its installation system is probably doing so for the last time. However, if you haven’t made the switch yet, you should consider alternatives. Experts repeatedly warn of the high costs that owners of oil and gas heating systems will face thanks to rising prices for CO₂ and network fees. Several studies have already been carried out and have come to the conclusion that heat pumps are suitable for almost all buildings and that investing in heat pumps and renovation measures is often cheaper than leaving everything in the house as it is.