Saxony-Anhalt: 83% of new buildings heat with heat pumps – record!

Saxony-Anhalt: 83% of new buildings heat with heat pumps – record!

Heating with an awareness of the environment: In Saxony-Anhalt, new buildings impressively show where the heating journey can go. In the current situation, over 80% of newly built residential buildings rely on heat pumps, which makes the federal state the undisputed leader in installing this modern heating technology in Germany. So reported MDR that an impressive 83% of newly built houses were equipped with heat pumps last year.

The numbers are as impressive as they are bright green: nationwide, the proportion of heat pumps in new buildings is 69%. In Saxony-Anhalt, however, only 9% of new buildings have gas heating, while 3% are connected to the district heating network. It is clear: the change in heating technology can no longer be stopped.

The change in heating habits

If you look back, in 2015 more than half of the new residential buildings in Saxony-Anhalt were equipped with gas heating. A clear change has been observed since 2017, when heat pumps gradually became more popular. The reasons for this are the strict climate regulations, which offer attractive subsidies and, last but not least, the rapidly rising gas prices.

The picture in other regions is much more heterogeneous: in Bremen, for example, only 32% of new buildings heat with heat pumps, while more than half continue to use gas. In the city states of Berlin and Hamburg, the proportion of heating technologies is also distributed differently, with 30% of new buildings in Berlin and 24% in Hamburg being connected to the district heating network. These differences clearly show that the transition to more environmentally friendly heating methods is not a blanket issue.

The look forward

The current developments are therefore not just a trend, but part of a larger agenda. The federal government has made ambitious plans with the new Building Energy Act (GEG). From January 1, 2024, it will be mandatory that only heating systems that are based on at least 65% renewable energy may be installed in new buildings. Federal Government explains that this is intended to advance the heating transition in Germany in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.

The GEG also provides generous funding. From August 2024, owners of single-family homes can apply for subsidies of up to 70% for heating replacement, especially if they use efficient heat pumps. Combinations with other renewable technologies such as solar thermal energy can also further reduce costs and help to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The synergies that arise from the use of photovoltaic systems and heat pumps cannot be neglected.

Energy future in municipalities

Municipalities also have an important role: heat plans must be published by 2045 to ensure a climate-neutral energy supply. Halle has already completed the first of these plans. It is important to know that the existing buildings in Saxony-Anhalt are currently predominantly equipped with gas heating. According to the 2022 census, 56% of buildings use gas, while 21% rely on oil.

One challenge that remains is that the modernization of existing buildings and heating systems is viewed as a long-term task. After all, not only should the new building be climate-friendly, but existing buildings should also be brought up to date. The current trend towards heat pumps is a step in the right direction.

Conclusion: A good hand when selecting heating technology pays off - both for your own home and for the environment. Saxony-Anhalt shows how it's done and is giving other federal states a lot of steam. It will be exciting to see how this topic will develop further!