Overview
- The Merz government has proposed reforming the heating law to remove the rule that new systems in larger cities must run at least 65 percent on renewables and to restore broader choice for owners.
- Because the reform process is delayed, the Bundestag has extended the 65 percent rule’s start date so it will not take effect before November 1.
- A representative Appinio survey for heat-pump provider Vamo found 79.4 percent of respondents feel confused by shifting rules and 62 percent plan to delay planned heater replacements.
- Hamburg’s parliament voted to demand a Länderöffnungsklausel that would let the city keep or set stricter local standards, while local CDU voices warn this could create a patchwork of regional rules.
- Researchers and industry voices say the rollback could widen future CO2 shortfalls and raise long‑term costs for households, since higher CO2 prices and possible gas network charges would make fossil heating more expensive over time.