ᐅ Difference in Initial Costs: Gas System vs. Heat Pump

That’s exactly what I wanted to point out. The options to operate a gas heating system in a very climate-friendly way already exist. It depends on the politicians. (Just like with cars... climate-friendly synthetic fuels—completely without oil—have been developed and could easily be used in current combustion engines, achieving a CO2 reduction of 60-70%. Unfortunately, this is not desired at all, because, irrationally, the focus is entirely on batteries *sick*)

bernie schrieb:

The federal government probably sees it differently... otherwise, why would billions be spent on the construction of Nord Stream 2?

Regarding fossil fuels and the climate debate: the existing natural gas network could also be partially supplied with biogas in the future.

Because it generates profit, and many existing buildings rely on gas. This won’t change overnight. Besides, the pipeline is constructed and maintained by private industry, not by the government.

Biogas is at least morally problematic if agricultural land is specifically used for this purpose instead of food production. Efficiency is also an issue, though not as much as with the hydrogen pipe dream, whose production costs are simply too high.

The CO2 price was set at 25€/t starting in 2021. For about 12,000 kWh of gas per year, that equals roughly 75€. It will rise to 55€/t by 2025, equivalent to around 160€. From 2026 onward, the price will be recalculated annually.
Switzerland has already gone through this; after the ramp-up phase, their CO2 price recently reached about 90€, as far as I know.
Electricity will be relieved in return.

Yes, an extra 100€ per year more or less won’t compensate for several thousand euros in upfront costs. In my opinion, gas heating is not yet obsolete today. In 10 years, the situation will likely be different—I dare to predict that.
However, I would already try to limit the impact today, meaning prepare the building for other energy sources (structural provisions for split heat pumps, low-temperature underfloor heating) and reduce consumption (insulation plus controlled mechanical ventilation). Those who need very little energy won’t be concerned about rising charges.

A gas heating system does not necessarily require a chimney (flue). Our heater is located in the attic and has only a very small exhaust pipe.

@guckguck: you are absolutely right. The irony is that natural gas is subject to a CO2 price, while the electricity price for heat pumps is supposed to decrease... even though the electricity will still come from coal power plants until 2038 (coal power generation has a worse CO2 footprint than natural gas).

bernie schrieb:

@guckguck: You are absolutely right. The irony is that natural gas is subject to a CO2 price, while electricity prices for heat pumps are supposed to decrease... even though electricity will still come from coal-fired power plants until 2038 (coal-fired power generation has a worse CO2 balance than natural gas)

There is nothing ironic about this. After all, we are talking about a comprehensive transformation of existing infrastructure. Transition phases, periods, and technologies are completely normal in this context. This should not be viewed from a short-term perspective but rather medium to long term.

Furthermore, electricity costs are expected to decrease by reducing the surcharge from the Renewable Energy Act. This does not exclude the possibility that electricity tariffs involving fossil fuels may become more expensive, as CO2 charges will apply there (either shown directly in the electricity price or included in the producer price).

guckuck2 schrieb:

I would already try today to limit the impact, meaning prepare the building for other energy sources (structural conditions for a split heat pump, design underfloor heating for low supply temperature) and reduce consumption (insulation + controlled mechanical ventilation).

Besides underfloor heating with a low supply temperature, are there other factors to consider when building a single-family home in 2020 with a planned gas heating system, so that switching to a heat pump in a few years would be possible if needed?

If planning a basement with a relatively large boiler/utility room, what else should be taken into account?