From 2024, changes in the area of energy saving will come into force. The energy advice service of the consumer advice center points this out. One major change is the amendment to the Building Energy Act (GEG). From January 1, 2024, new buildings in new development areas must install heating systems that use at least 65% renewable energy. For existing buildings outside of new development areas or when replacing heating systems, residents will be given slightly more time - in large cities until June 30, 2026 and in smaller municipalities until June 30, 2028. However, the obligation will take effect sooner if the expansion of a local heating or hydrogen network has already been decided.
The innovations in the GEG include various options for the use of renewable energies: electrically powered heat pumps, biomass heating, district heating, gas or oil heating with a share of at least 65% biomethane or bio-oil as well as combinations of gas, oil or biomass heating with heat pumps or solar thermal systems. Pure oil or gas heating systems may still be installed in 2024, but must generate a certain proportion of heating energy from biomass or hydrogen from 2029, which will increase to 60 percent by 2040.
Subsidies for heating replacements and renovations will be increased, including a "speed bonus" for quickly implemented projects and special bonuses for low-income households. From March 2024, higher efficiency requirements will also apply to household appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. Other changes include rising CO2 prices, which will lead to higher costs for heating oil and natural gas. An increase of 10 euros per tonne of CO2 will increase the price of natural gas by around 0.2 cents per kWh. Interested parties can find further changes at: verbraucherzentrale-energieberatung.de.
Source: verbraucherzentrale-energieberatung.de
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