Energy: heating market in the crisis

The heating market in Germany is in crisis. In the first half of the year, sales fell by 22 percent to 296,500 pieces compared to the same period last year. Although the sales figures of heat pumps rose in the first half of the year – the industry is far from goals. The Federal Association of the German Heating Industry (BDH) gave the numbers dramatically.

In the first half of the year, the number of gas heaters sold, according to the German Press Agency, decreased by 41 percent to 132,500 units, the sales of oil heating by 81 percent to 10,500 pieces. In the case of heat pumps, there was an increase of 55 percent to 139,500 pieces.

Uncertainty in the market

“There is fundamental insurance for consumers due to the framework conditions,” said Staudt. “The conditions to incorporate new gas heating have become increasingly complex. The other is the uncertainty of how emission trade will affect the prices for fossil energy from 2027. The third is the municipal heat planning.” Many consumers waited for what will happen in their municipality.

Goals in the case of heat pumps cannot be reached

The association expects an annual sales of around 250,000 units this year for heat pumps, said BDH general manager Markus Staudt of the dpa. “This is half of the politically avoided goal. We have supported the goal of the old federal government – but always emphasized that the framework conditions have to be significantly improved by political measures. However, this has not been done under the old federal government. The more reliability in funding is extremely important. It supports the current market.”

“We need clarity as soon as possible with the building energy law.

What’s next with the heating law?

The future of the building energy law (opposite) – often referred to as the heating law – is open. The CDU, CSU and SPD coalition agreement states that the heating law is abolished. But what that means is open. The coalition wants to continue the billion -dollar heating funding.

The new building energy network has been in force since the beginning of 2024. The aim of the reform is more climate protection in the building area through a state-funded gradual exchange of oil and gas heating. Functioning heating can continue to be operated. Above all, there are detailed regulations on requirements for climate -friendly heating. When switching to climate -friendly heating, state funding of a maximum of 70 percent is possible. The maximum available investment costs for the heating exchange is 21,000 euros.

The figures indicated that not even 600,000 heating could be discontinued by the end of the year, said Staudt. “That would be the worst annual sales in 15 years and that after a bad year 2024. And in a context that companies have invested significantly in heat pump capacities in recent years. On the other hand, you have to see that there are more and more providers, especially in the heat pump segment.”

The manufacturers have already taken measures and used all options for consolidation. If the pressure increases, further measures could be in the room.