From 2024, new rules for gas and oil heating will apply. Then new heating systems would have to be climate-friendly and run on at least 65 percent renewable energy. That should also be checked. In the worst case, there is a high penalty.

Chimney sweeps should check gas and oil heating systems

If the new Building Energy Act (GEG) is actually implemented from 2024, strict rules for heating systems will apply in Germany. If a heater breaks down and can no longer be repaired, it should be replaced with a climate-friendly device. First and foremost, this would mean a heat pump. But who should control that? Actually should chimney sweeps take over this role (Source: Berlin newspaper).

Chimney sweeps would then not only check the heating systems, but would also have to check the age of the owner, for example. People who are over 80 can continue to use old heaters. It remains to be seen whether this is compatible with data protection. The chimney sweeps are not really enthusiastic about it, says Julian Schwark, Energy Director at the Federal Association of the Chimney Sweep Trade. You test technical systems and not people.

In addition, not all details of the heating ban and the exceptions are known in detail. Gas or oil heating cannot simply be exchanged for a heat pump everywhere. It will Hardship regulations and transitional periods. The new subsidy for replacing heaters has not yet been regulated either. So there is still a lot up in the air.

What you need to know about heat pumps:

There are high penalties for old gas and oil heating systems

According to the federal government’s plans, the chimney sweeps should check the heating systems and then first inform the owners of violations. Fines of up to 50,000 euros can only be imposed if these do not change anything. We’ll have to wait and see if that really happens. All the details will be known at the latest when the Bundestag and Bundesrat agree to the new Building Energy Act. We will keep you up to date.