In 2019, gas heating was still the most widely used heating method in Germany. Although the focus has increasingly shifted towards an ecological lifestyle in recent years, alternatives to heating with gas or oil are not yet widely used on a large scale, even though many different heating systems that do not rely on these raw materials are already on the market today. While many people living sustainably have been having their outdated radiators replaced in recent years, heating methods based on fossil fuels are still found in most German apartments and houses today.
How does Germany heat?
A 2019 BDEW survey of apartments revealed that 48.2% of Germans still heat with gas, thus relying on a less sustainable method. Following this, a quarter of people, specifically 25.6%, heat with heating oil. 13.9% of Germans heat their apartment or house via district heating. Electricity as an energy source for heating is only used in around 4.8% of German households. The remaining 7.5% of Germans warm their living space with other heating options. (Statistics: https://www.bdew.de/media/documents/Pub_20191031_Wie-heizt-Deutschland-2019.pdf)
What heating methods are there?
Countless different heating methods are now approved in Germany. The best-known of these approved methods are:
- Gas heating: A clear advantage of gas heating is that no storage space is required for the fuel, as natural gas is available at all times and does not need to be refilled. Compared to oil heating, natural gas is also relatively environmentally friendly. However, you naturally need a gas connection for a gas heating system, and consumption is higher than with other heating methods. Another disadvantage is clearly that gas costs can fluctuate significantly depending on political developments. If you want to purchase a gas heating system, you should expect an acquisition price of €1,500 – €3,000.
- Oil heating: When heating with oil, no connection to an existing heating network is necessary. Due to modern developments, such as condensing boiler technology, the consumption of oil heating is relatively low. However, it must always be mentioned that oil is a fossil raw material and leads to high CO2 emissions. For heating oil, the price of which fluctuates repeatedly, you also need an oil tank. For the purchase of a modern oil heating system, you often have to spend up to €10,000.
- District heating: District heating is a highly efficient heating method that requires no maintenance costs. Unlike oil and gas, heating costs are also relatively constant. However, district heating is only worthwhile in regions where a district heating network is already available. Another disadvantage of district heating is the usually limited choice of providers, on whom you are also heavily dependent. Depending on the obstacles to laying the connection on the property, the costs for purchasing district heating systems can vary greatly.
- Electric heating: For an electric heating system, you need to create comparatively little space, and no special pipes need to be laid. However, an electric heating system is not very efficient and has a very high electricity consumption as well as high CO2 emissions. On the plus side, electric heating scores with its acquisition costs, which are very comfortable at €700 – €1,000.
- Heat pump: When heating with a heat pump, you are opting for a climate-friendly heating method with high energy efficiency and low heating and maintenance costs. This type of heating, however, requires a relatively large amount of space and needs to meet official requirements. The acquisition costs, which range from €12,000 to €25,000, are also a reason for many Germans to rule it out.
- Wood heating: Because wood is a renewable raw material, this type of heating is naturally particularly sustainable. It is an almost CO2-neutral combustion and can also be easily combined with other sustainable heating systems, such as solar heating. Since only modern wood stoves are very effective, many prefer to rely on other heating methods, as a wood stove also requires a large storage room for the pellets, which many simply do not have. The acquisition costs of €20,000 – €25,000 are also not affordable for everyone.
- Solar thermal heating: Heating using solar thermal energy is very energy-efficient and climate-neutral. In addition, this type of heating scores with its long service life and independence from energy suppliers. However, even modern solar thermal heating systems cannot yet heat the entire living space, but are rather intended to support other heating systems. In addition, not every roof is suitable for the installation of collectors, which are essential for this system. In terms of price, we are looking at around €5,000 for a collector and storage tank for 15 square meters.
- Combined heat and power unit (CHP): A combined heat and power unit has a very high efficiency and takes up hardly any space. Here, too, you are completely independent of energy suppliers. However, the purchase of a CHP unit operated using fossil fuels is only worthwhile from a certain energy demand. With acquisition costs of around €10,000, this type of heating is not necessarily the cheapest.
