A renewed political clash over Germany’s building energy law (GEG), commonly referred to as the “heating law” threatens to undermine consumer confidence and stall critical progress towards national climate goals, according to the Central Association of the Sanitary, Heating and Climate Industry (ZVSHK). Michael Hilpert, President of the ZVSHK, issued a stark warning to the governing coalition of Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens, urging them to avoid repeating the mistakes that plagued previous iterations of the legislation.
The previous political rollercoaster surrounding the GEG, marked by contentious debates and last-minute revisions, sowed confusion amongst consumers and dampened the willingness of homeowners to invest in heat pump installations and other climate-friendly heating systems. Hilpert stressed that the current priority must be stability and predictability, not a return to divisive political maneuvering. “Consumers need reliability, not reignited political debates” he stated.
Beyond consumer anxiety, Hilpert cautioned that ongoing uncertainty is significantly impacting the skilled trades sector. He highlighted a concerning trend of declining workloads, hesitant investment from clients and a general atmosphere of apprehension within the industry. “Uncertainty is poison for the skilled trades, just as it is for industry – and therefore for the entire German economy” he warned.
Crucially, Hilpert underscored the necessity of maintaining existing subsidies for heating system replacements, arguing they are an indispensable component of Germany’s energy transition. A watered-down compromise, born from renewed political conflict, risks setting back progress and requiring a complete restart at the beginning of the next legislative period, ultimately jeopardizing both national climate targets and European commitments.
The ZVSHK’s call for consensus reflects a growing acknowledgement that politically driven instability is counterproductive, demanding a more measured and collaborative approach to addressing Germany’s ambitious climate goals and supporting the vital trades that are crucial to their realization.