CO2 tax and what you can do!

E.C.A. Serel on the CO2 tax: radiators in the interests of climate protection!

In 2021, heating with oil and gas became a lot more expensive. Why actually? A CO2 tax on petrol, diesel, heating oil and natural gas has been in effect since January 1, 2021 - decided by the federal government in line with the Climate Protection Program 2030.

For every ton of carbon dioxide emitted, EUR 25 is due, which increases by EUR 5 in each subsequent year. A measure that is intended to gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating buildings, since current figures show that three quarters of German households heat with oil and gas.

A trend that is declining sharply in new built buildings: while 19.5 percent of new buildings had oil heating in 2000, it was only 0.9 percent in 2019. The use of natural gas in new buildings is also clearly declining, even if it is still a popular way of heating buildings.

What can owners and tenants do?

For older houses, an energetic renovation and the renewal of the heating systems, including the inclusion of renewable energies, is recommended. A good tip from the tenant to the landlord can be a profitable step for each sides here - it is advisable to refer to the modernization tips in the energy certificate for specific measures.

In addition, it makes sense to have energy advice, although state subsidies are currently particularly beneficial and should not be underestimated. For example, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) promotes the exchange of oil heating systems with bonuses of up to 45 percent. If heating systems are converted directly to renewable energies, this is rewarded with a subsidy of up to 35 percent. The current expansion of the KfW bank's promotional programs should of course not be left out. So that not all subsidies have to be applied individually, the federal subsidy for efficient buildings (BEG) offers everything bundled in one application.

Radiators reach the end of their service life after about 15 years and are technically out of date by then. In Germany, around 50 percent of oil heating systems and 36 percent of gas heating systems are more than 20 years old (BDEW 2019). Approximately two-thirds of the boilers do not use any condensing technology and are therefore not state-of-the-art.

An important factor for climate protection, whether private or commercial, is the switch to radiators and professional installation - by a professional like you - with E.C.A. Serel.

Image source: E.C.A.