From January 2024, new regulations will apply that homeowners should be aware of. Because the innovations in the Building Energy Act not only affect heating systems.
The most important things at a glance
The amendment to the Building Energy Act (GEG) has been passed. The best-known innovation is that new heating systems must be powered by at least 65 percent renewable energy from 2026/2028. However, there are other obligations that the GEG imposes on owners. You can find out what these are in this article.
What violations can there be?
- In the future, an operational test/inspection of the heat pump should be mandatory. (Section 60a GEG)
- The heating check of a heating system must be carried out – and in a timely manner. (Section 60b GEG)
- Optimization measures must also be carried out in a timely manner. (Section 60a GEG)
- Hydraulic balancing of the heating system is mandatory for houses with more than six apartments. (Section 60c GEG)
- Boilers must be replaced after at least 30 years of operation and may not be reinstalled.
- The ceiling must be insulated.
- Environmentally harmful heating systems may no longer be used.
- Pipes (cold and hot water) and fittings must be insulated.
Previously, these points were not explicitly listed in the fine regulations.
What exactly do the new requirements for pipes and fittings look like?
The federal government has further tightened the requirements for pipes and fittings in the amendment to the GEG. More precisely: thermal insulation. These changes apply to both new buildings and renovations, i.e. when pipes and/or fittings need to be replaced.
- The insulation of pipes for hot water or heating water should be so good that the surface temperature of the pipe or line can only be 40 degrees Celsius on average. Exposed pipes are therefore no longer permitted. They must either be insulated or made of a material that has low thermal conductivity.
- And the insulation in air conditioning and air conditioning refrigeration systems – for example ventilation systems – should also be so good that a surface temperature around the pipe or line of ten degrees Celsius is maintained.
- In addition, the requirements for the cables for the ventilation and air conditioning systems have changed. They must now also be provided with an insulating layer. You can find out how thick this must be at least in Appendix 8 to Sections 69f GEG.
Note: Where the surface temperature measurement takes place, what applies to housing and similar issues are not directly listed in the bill. Homeowners should contact an HVAC specialist company in 2024 to receive precise information.
Is there a ban on oil and gas heating?
The best-known decision by the federal government is the ban on oil and gas heating from 2026/2028. This does not mean that owners will no longer be able to operate these heating systems in January 2024 and must have them replaced by then. The law prohibits the installation of new oil or gas constant temperature boilers, coal stoves and generally heating systems that run on fossil fuels.
If the property has a heating system that uses fossil fuels, it can continue to be used until December 31, 2044. The law even allows repairs up to that point.
The regulation applies to new buildings, existing buildings, residential buildings and non-residential buildings.
Am I at risk of a rent increase due to heat pumps?
What tenants should know in this context: If the landlord replaces the old heating system with a heat pump, a rent increase is justified (Section 71o GEG). According to the law, this is a modernization measure. It is important that the annual performance factor of the heat pump is above 2.5, they say.
