German Housing Minister Calls for Overhaul of Controversial Heating Law

Klara Geywitz advocates simplifying the complex regulations while opposition parties push for full repeal in heated election debates.

Housing Minister Klara Geywitz has called for a fundamental reform of the Building Energy Act, citing excessive complexity and impracticality in its current form.
The law requires new heating systems in certain buildings to rely on 65% renewable energy, with transitional solutions for older structures, but has faced criticism for being overly bureaucratic.
Opposition parties, including the CDU and FDP, have pledged to repeal the law entirely if they win the upcoming election, framing it as an economic and financial burden on citizens.
Geywitz emphasized the necessity of the law for achieving Germany's 2045 climate neutrality goals but acknowledged the need to make it more user-friendly and affordable.
The heating industry has reported a significant drop in demand for heat pumps, with a 54% decline in installations this year, attributing the slump to ongoing policy uncertainty.