From NoTricksZone

Germany continues to intensify draconian measures to cut energy consumption…

Germans struggling to keep warm. (Symbol image, cropped here). 

As if the costs for heating in Germany weren’t expensive enough. Already addled with high natural gas and heating oil costs, German residential building owners are now being required to replace gas furnaces that  are 30 years old or more, according to a new law that went into effect on January 1st.

Violators will see their heating systems shut down

German site Blackout News.de here: “Homeowners in Germany are legally obligated under the Building Energy Act § 72 (GEG) to replace their old boilers after 30 years. This affects about 2 million oil and gas heating systems in Germany at the end of the year. Refusal or failure to do so will result in fines and the responsible chimney sweeper can even have the heating system shut down.”

In Germany, by law, all chimneys are inspected at least annually by chimney sweepers, who will be checking the gas heater’s nameplate. Of course, “heating systems that are powered by renewable energies, e.g. wood pellets burners, are exempt from the obligations.”

“Homeowners who purchased their property after Feb. 1, 2002, have two years to install a new heating system if they purchase an older home with an existing old heating system,” reports Blackout News.

More costs for tenants

“And if the apartment or house is rented, “the owner is required to replace the heating system if it is 30 years or older. Anyone who has purchased or is about to purchase a property with oil or gas heating after the cut-off date must replace the heating system in any case if it is over 30 years old, even if they live in it themselves.”

The law will further increase the burden on landlords, who in turn will pass the costs on to their tenants.

New law bans new oil heating systems in private buildings beginning in 2026

“The installation of new oil condensing boilers is only permitted until the end of 2025; from 2026, the installation of new oil heating systems is generally prohibited – provided that alternative heat generation is possible,” writes Blackout News. “The state is promoting the replacement of old heating systems with a number of subsidy programs to reduce the costs for those affected. However, corresponding applications for subsidies must be submitted before the conversion is carried out.”