Green Fuels Ready - Small label stands for future-proofing
The building sector is responsible for around a quarter of Germany's CO2 emissions. This sector is therefore crucial to the success of the energy transition.
The amendment to the Building Energy Act, which came into force on 1 January 2024, therefore provides for new heating systems to be operated proportionately with renewable energies in future after certain transitional periods following modernisation. The Green Fuels Ready label identifies heating systems, tanks and components that have been approved by the manufacturer for use with up to 100% renewable fuels.
The requirements of the German Building Energy Act are an important step towards climate-neutral buildings by 2045. Condensing boilers for liquid fuels can also meet these requirements. In addition to the combination with a heat pump as a hybrid heating system, the use of renewable fuels, so-called green fuels, is also possible.
The requirements can be met in several ways: If you opt for a new condensing boiler, using a liquid fuel with the appropriate renewable content is a good option. If combined with a solar thermal system for heating and hot water, the solar heat generated will count towards the required renewable quota. Condensing boilers combined with electric heat pumps as hybrid solutions are particularly economical. The energy stored in the tank ensures that peak loads are covered on cold days and provides a reliable heat supply. However, saving energy by insulating buildings is, and will continue to be, sensible. This further reduces the need for green fuels.
The Green Fuels Ready label provides valuable guidance for heating modernisation projects. Manufacturers can use it to label heating systems, tanks and components that can be operated with up to 100% renewable liquid fuels, including mixtures with fossil liquid fuels. The label was created by the Federal Association of the German Heating Industry (BDH) in cooperation with en2x - Wirtschaftsverband Fuels und Energie.