New regulations – this is how you prevent fines

Compulsory stem

So you are now preventing fines for your stove

Stricter emission regulations for fine dust and carbon monoxide have been in effect since January. If you have a tiled or fireplace, you should know your age and limit values- otherwise there can be consequences.

Retrofitting is no longer an option for some tiled or stove owners- because the transition period for certain fireplaces expired at the end of 2024. Since January 1st, stricter emission regulations have been in place for fine dust and carbon monoxide, according to the Bremen Consumer Center.

Specifically, so -called single room fireplaces for solid fuels are affected, which were put into operation between January 1, 1995 and March 21, 2010 and do not adhere to the current limit values, explains the Federal Association of the Schornsteinfeger trade. It is therefore mainly classic tiled and chimney ovens as well as heating fireplaces, which primarily heat up a room and are mostly fueled with cutting wood.

According to the Federal Immission Protection Protection Ordinance (BImSchV), such systems must adhere to certain limit values ​​for fine dust and carbon monoxide. Accordingly, you are not allowed to emit more than 4 grams of carbon monoxide and 0.15 grams dust per cubic meter of exhaust gas.

If such a fireplace exceeds the required limit values, it may no longer be operated. “Retrofitting was possible until December 31, 2024,” said Julia Bothur, director of the Federal Association of the Schornsteinfeger trade.

The result: An old oven can only be replaced by a new model that complies with the current requirements or be taken out of operation.

• Read here: Is there a threat of a compulsory release for fireplace and tiled stoves?

The good news: Anyone who had their tile or stove installed at home after March 21, 2010 is out of the tailor. Because all the individual room fireplaces for solid fuels that were approved after this key date should, according to Bothur, comply with the current legal regulations.

The Federal Immission Protection Protection Ordinance also mentions some exceptions – such as individual room firing systems in residential units, the heat supply of which is carried out exclusively via these systems. In addition, open fireplaces, cooking flocks and certain historical stoves, according to the Federal Association of the Schornsteinfeger trade.

Otherwise, the following applies to older models that were approved before 1995 and do not correspond to the limit values: they should have been retrofitted or completely removed years ago.

Actually, this should have been clarified last year. But if you haven't done it so far, you will learn how old your stove is. According to Bothur, you can read in the manufacturer documents whether the oven complies with the required limit values.

In addition, the manufacturer can confirm in writing that the model complies with the limit values, according to the Federal Consumer Center. There is also an overview of this at the industrial association Haus-, Heiz- und Kitchen technology (HKI)-the database can be reached online at: cert.hki-online.de/de/geraete/ manufacturer list.

“If the authorized district chimney sweep states that an oven is operated even after the deadline, although it does not comply with the limit values, he must report this to the responsible authority, which then initiates further steps,” said Bothur. The trade supervision or the regulatory authority can be responsible.

If you do not replace your fireplace or tiled stove, you have to expect a fine of up to 50,000 euros. The same applies to those who have not retrofitted their oven in time.

However, the chimney sweep does not immediately stop the oven if it determines an exceedance. “The chimney sweep gives the customer a corresponding period for action,” explains Bothur T-Online.