The Renewable Energies Heat Act has been in force since the beginning of 2009. It stipulates that part of the heating requirements for new buildings must be covered by renewable energies.
The goal that the German government is pursuing with the new Heating Act is clear: the proportion of renewable energies in the heating supply of buildings is to be increased, thereby contributing to a sustainable energy supply. The proportion of renewable energies in the heating market is to be doubled by 2020.
The following applies to new buildings: energy required for heating and hot water must come in part from renewable sources.
Natural, unlimited energy sources are referred to as renewable energies. These include solar energy, geothermal energy, environmental heat, energy from biomass or bio-oil or biogas.
Of course, there are also other options. Anyone who has opted for the district heating supply from Stadtwerke Gießen AG (SWG) can already fulfil the requirements of the law. This is because the municipal utility's generation plants are already set up in such a way that at least 50 per cent of the heat comes from renewable energies, waste heat and CHP plants and therefore meets the requirements of the EEWärmeG.
Certificates on the SWG homepage
District heating customers who require proof of fulfilment of the requirements of the EEWärme Gesetz can find this on the Stadtwerke Gießen homepage at www.stadtwerke-giessen.de. The staff on the service hotline are available to answer questions from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 7 pm. Information on the new law can be found at www.erneuerbare-energien.de.