For such initiatives, the government has promised bonuses and advice, but many see this as an empty promise. Pierre Jans from RTL has gone to Esch-sur-Alzette to follow up on politicians’ promises through a practical example. Here, a landlord is replacing the gas heating system by a heating pump, but needs to find space to install an apparatus which is meant to be placed outside the building.
Paulo Faim, an expert for such installations, explains that heat pumps are compatible with all properties, regardless of their age. This was further confirmed by Sarah Juchems, consultant at the climate agency, on a radio emission. Naturally, new homes have the advantage of better insulation.
The optimal home for heat pumps is equipped with either a floor or wall heating with good insulation to keep the flow temperature low. But also homes with higher flow temperatures that do not correspond to the standards of new buildings can make use of the heat pump if it is properly installed. Of course, the energy efficiency will not be as high.
The ideal solution would require a combination of a heat pump and photovoltaic. As the heat pump functions electronically, and the current energy prices reduce the rentability of the pump, being self-sufficient in terms of electricity would be optimal.
However, all of this is linked to high costs - in terms of both money and time - despite the state help. Such a pump costs around €40,000, of which up to €18,000 can be reimbursed by the state.
On top of that, the energy bonuses aren’t cashed out immediately, explains Fenn Faber, head of the climate agency. The financial help is namely linked to specific criteria that need to be checked thoroughly before the money is granted.
Especially with the current energy prices and anxieties surrounding this winter, the state aid is increasing the demand for such a heating system. At the moment, the waiting time for a heat pump is four months, while photovoltaics can have a waiting time of about ten months, if not more.
The energy transition thus remains a question of both time and money.
