Changing the heating system in BW: Your experience counts now! Join us!

Changing the heating system in BW: Your experience counts now! Join us!

In Baden-Württemberg, the topics of heating replacement, district heating and heat pumps are the focus of public discussions. This reports SWR. On the occasion of the “heat transition”, SWR, in cooperation with CORRECTIV, is calling on citizens to share their experiences with heating systems. We are looking for both positive and negative reports, especially about concerns and failed projects. The aim is to obtain a comprehensive picture of the current situation and to include citizens' opinions in the reporting.

Through the so-called CrowdNewsroom, people have the opportunity to upload their personal stories, questions or problem reports. This opens a dialogue about the challenges of the heat transition. The topic will be further explored at events that will take place in Stuttgart, Vaihingen an der Enz and Lörrach in mid-October. The events are entitled “Pressure in the boiler – How will the heat transition affect me?”.

The future of heating

Current heating systems are facing a decisive change, as gas and oil heating systems are increasingly being phased out. The Federal Environment Agency recommends switching to future-proof heating methods such as heat pumps, district heating and solar thermal energy. These changes are not only necessary to reduce CO2 emissions, but also to sustainably reduce heating costs.

Current statistics show that almost 80% of buildings in Germany are heated with gas or oil. Around 40% of these heaters are older than 20 years. In view of the challenges of climate change, such as the Climate Protection Act, which envisages zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, a switch is essential. From 2026, new heating systems must use at least 65% renewable energy, giving a boost to the renewable energy heating market.

Heating optimization and state support

In order to improve the efficiency of heating systems, regular monitoring of energy consumption is essential. Heating systems are the largest generator of CO2 emissions in the home. It is recommended to renew old class C and D boilers to meet environmentally friendly standards. The proportion of heating systems using renewable energies is growing, and now almost one in four newly installed heating systems is a heat pump.

For homeowners, there are government funding programs for heating optimization and individual energy advice that can be helpful in making the switch to sustainable systems easier. The Heat Planning Act also obliges municipalities to create municipal heat plans by 2026, which will advance the local energy transition.

Overall, the participation of the population in the discussion about the heating transition is a central component of the modernization of heating systems in Baden-Württemberg. By exchanging experiences and participating in events, citizens can play an active role in shaping a sustainable future.