The Ministry of Economics wants to launch another energy security package. Considerable energy saving measures could then come to consumers. What you need to know about this.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) announced another energy security package on Thursday. These include stricter requirements for filling the gas storage and activation of the lignite reserve, as Habeck said in Berlin.
Habeck contradicted the fear of state heating controls in private households at a virtual press conference. “It was never meant that we would introduce a kind of heat police.” Nevertheless, the plans of the Ministry of Economic Affairs for energy security include a number of new regulations and restrictions for consumers.
FOCUS Online explains the five most important points, which considerations are currently in the room – and to what extent that would affect each individual.
It is becoming apparent that the 26 million office jobs in the country could again become a regular place of work for Germans. Habeck said on Thursday: “We have to talk about how we can save energy by making more use of home office.” Habeck says he doesn’t want to make that mandatory, “because then you can think of five exceptions why it doesn’t work for everyone “. However, one should “be allowed to think about it”.
Also exciting: After the planned ban on gas heating: This is how owners find the right heating system Many companies should also welcome these considerations. Like consumers, they are concerned about the high energy prices and want to reduce consumption as much as possible in view of the impending energy shortage. Accordingly, they have something against it if the thermostat is turned properly in their offices in winter. Also because the costs are increasingly reducing profits in the face of inflation.
It is also about saving measures in public buildings and companies. Habeck wants to oblige them to save energy by regulation. “Public spaces that you only walk through should not be heated permanently,” he said. Specifically, it must then remain cold in corridors, large halls, technical rooms or entrance foyers in winter – unless there are safety requirements for this.
For public facilities and office buildings, this should be regulated in regulations. So far, the workplace ordinance in Germany actually stipulates how warm or cold it has to be at the workplace. The “predominant activity” determines the minimum temperature: For light work in quiet sitting or standing with occasional walking, there must be at least 20 degrees. 19 or even 17 degrees is enough for moderately difficult hand/arm or leg work while sitting, walking or standing. On the other hand, if you work hard, you have to be satisfied with a room temperature of twelve degrees.
In addition, according to Habeck, discussions should be held with the social partners about further savings opportunities in the work and operational area. It is conceivable, for example, that company holidays will be organized over Christmas; at least where possible. If an office is not heated for a week, “that of course saves energy,” says Habeck.
Measures are also planned to save gas when heating apartments. Habeck announced a mandatory heating check. Owners of gas heating systems should be obliged to do so. If you do such a check, you can optimize your heating.
A hydraulic balance should also become mandatory so that heating water is optimally distributed. In the future, all owners of buildings with a central heat supply – i.e. usually apartment buildings – should do this if they have not already done so in previous years. For buildings with a central heat supply, the replacement of inefficient, uncontrolled heating pumps is to become mandatory, as these are major energy guzzlers.
Also read: Wood heating systems are experiencing a boom: the alternative to gas and oil makes sense
In private households, tenants should be released from the obligation to heat their apartment to a minimum temperature. This should apply to the next two winters. According to the ministry, there are currently some contractual obligations to maintain a minimum temperature in rented rooms. “This means that if these tenants want to heat less, they are violating their rental contracts. For this reason, these contractual obligations are to be temporarily suspended – in close coordination with the affected departments of the federal government.
If tenants are away or think the temperature is too high, they should be able to set the temperature lower than previously required. “The heating should no longer run all the time,” says Habeck. According to experts, every degree less heating corresponds to an energy saving of 6 percent. However, caution is also required and it must not be exaggerated: If you turn off the heating completely, you can bring another problem into the house: mold, which is a health hazard.
In the future, homeowners will be prohibited from heating private pools with gas over the winter, as Habeck announced at the virtual press conference. However, it is not yet clear how and whether this requirement is to be checked. “I don’t think now that the police will visit all pool owners and see if the pools are warm,” emphasized the minister. “It’s not a country I want to live in, where the citizens are being harassed and controlled.”
no These are just suggestions that need to be discussed first. CDU leader Friedrich Merz emphasized that the Union would first look at the proposals in detail. This also includes the assessment of whether the energy scenarios set up are the right ones.
CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt also criticized the fact that the federal government had taken too much time and was now “obviously” acting under pressure from the European Union. In addition, it is not clear whether the proposals by Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck have any chance of being implemented in the coalition.
