Wärmepumpe vor einem Haus
Foto: Robert Poorten / IMAGO
It confirms the benefits of heat pumps for fans and refutes the criticism: New research shows that even at extremely low temperatures, heat pumps are more than twice as efficient as oil or gas heaters. These environmentally friendly devices would even outperform oil and gas heaters at temperatures around minus 30 degrees, according to a study by researchers from the University of Oxford and the Regulatory Assistance Project think tank, published in the energy research journal „Joule“.
Die Wissenschaftler werteten Daten aus sieben Feldstudien in Nordamerika, Asien und Europa aus und kamen zu dem Schluss, dass die Wärmepumpen für fast alle Haushalte in Europa geeignet seien. Bei Temperaturen unter null Grad Celsius waren sie laut den Untersuchungen sogar zwei- bis dreimal effizienter als Öl- und Gasheizungen.
Wärmepumpe an einem Einfamilienhaus in Düsseldorf
Foto: Robert Poorten / IMAGO
„I cannot reword“
Deutsches Heizungsgesetz: ab 2024 immer mehr Wärmepumpen
The argument that heat pumps are significantly more expensive has now been debunked. According to a study conducted by Prognos AG on behalf of the environmental organization WWF at the end of August, these environmentally friendly heating systems are overall cheaper than fossil gas heaters over the course of their use. This is due to the planned government subsidy, which is expected to be advantageous even at the lowest level.
Last week, after months of dispute, the Bundestag passed the amendment to the Building Energy Act, also known as the Heating Act. Its aim is to make heating more climate-friendly through a gradual replacement of oil and gas heaters. The plans primarily propose that every newly installed heater should be operated with at least 65 percent renewable energy. It is expected to come into effect in early 2024, but initially only apply to new residential areas.
Für bestehende Gebäude soll eine kommunale Wärmeplanung zentral sein: Auf dieser Grundlage sollen Hausbesitzer entscheiden können, ob sie sich an ein Wärmenetz anschließen oder eine Wärmepumpe oder andere klimafreundlichere Heizung einbauen lassen. Die kommunale Wärmeplanung soll in Kommunen über 100.000 Einwohner bis Mitte 2026 und für die restlichen bis Mitte 2028 erstellt werden.
The government plans to provide a basic subsidy of 30 percent of the investment costs for the installation of a heat pump starting from 2024, with eligible investment costs limited to 30,000 euros for a single-family house. There is an additional speed bonus of 20 percent for early conversions.