June 14, 2023, 3:16 am | Read time: 2 minutes
The proposed heating law is highly controversial. Many homeowners find the switch to a heat pump too expensive. However, in new construction, this heating source is already becoming standard.
Heat pumps are being used in more and more new residential buildings in Germany. In new construction, the heat pump is already standard. Now, recent figures show how widespread this relatively new technology already is.
How Common Heat Pumps Are in New Construction
Last year, heat pumps were used as the primary heating energy source in 57 percent of completed residential buildings, according to the Federal Statistical Office. In 2021, the share was 50.6 percent, and in 2015, it was just under a third (31.4 percent). Heat pumps are mainly used in single-family and two-family homes.
Overall, renewable energies are on the rise in heating. As the primary source, meaning predominantly used for heating, they are employed in more than half (61.4 percent) of completed residential buildings, according to statistics. In 2015, the share was 38 percent. Renewable energies include geothermal or air heat pumps, solar thermal energy, wood (such as fireplaces and pellet heating systems), biogas/biomethane, and other biomass.
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Natural Gas Is the Second Most Important Energy Source
In 2022, natural gas was used as the second most important primary energy source in 28 percent of new buildings. However, the share of gas heating is continuously decreasing. In 2021, it was 34.4 percent, and in 2015, it was 51.5 percent, according to statistics. Eight percent of new residential buildings were primarily heated with district heating. Oil heating systems played hardly any role in new buildings (0.4 percent).
More on this: 5 Common Questions About Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps Aim to Enable Achievement of Climate Goals
Heat pumps use environmental heat from the air or ground to heat buildings. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens) is pushing for the use of heat pumps to achieve climate goals in the building sector. The federal government’s plans call for every newly installed heating system to be operated with at least 65 percent eco-energy starting in early 2024. The coalition government is striving to pass the controversial heating law through parliament before the summer recess.
with material from dpa