Heat pumps and emissions reduction
The initiative was born with the aim of expanding knowledge on the potential of heat pumps which, by exploiting renewable energy sources such as air, soil and water to heat and cool buildings, have a notable potential for reduction of CO emissions2. According to EHPA data, there are currently 24 million heat pumps installed in Europewhich avoid the consumption of 5.5 billion cubic meters of gas and 45 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
For its part, the EU should launch theHeat Pump Action Plan for EU heat pumps, to support production and training in the sector, with a view to the “Green Homes” directive.
Boilers no longer eligible for incentives
Precisely for this reason, the first one was released on 17 October official document of the Commission with the guidelines to Member States for the gradual elimination of financial incentives for autonomous boilers powered by fossil fuels. The document takes stock of the various types of systems providing guidance valid for all Member States. It is therefore clarified that the purchase of a boiler is no longer incentivizedif these occur two conditions:
- uses energy sources non-renewable such as solid fuels, natural gas and diesel;
- the plant it is not combined with another heat generator using renewable energy providing a considerable share of the overall energy production of the plant.
The Commission also explains that to assess whether a gas boiler is powered by fossil fuels, reference must be made exclusively to the mix of fuels in the gas network at the time of its installation, regardless of the fact that in the future the network could also transport gas from renewable sources such as biomethane and green hydrogen.
Verification by individual states
Based on these indications, therefore if the local gas network mainly transports natural gas, the installation of gas boilers must no longer receive financial incentives from 2025vice versa if the network mainly transports renewable fuels it can receive them.
The competent authorities of the Member States will have to assess the conditions of the network.
Hybrid plants with incentives but only if the share of renewables is significant
As regards hybrid systems, i.e. those that combine a gas boiler with heat pumps and/or solar thermal systems, the incentive can still be allowed but only if the share of renewable energy used is significant. It is up to the individual States to calculate the share in question, but in any case the Commission document invites the provision of incentives proportional to the quantity of renewable energy used, providing the most significant incentives only for those based 100% on renewable energy.
Furthermore, since the ultimate goal of the directive is to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in boilers, hybrid heating systems should only be encouraged as a transitional solution.
Bonuses currently in force
As for the incentives available at the moment, between now and the end of the year it is still possible to take advantage of the 50% Bonus also for the purchase of basic gas condensing boilers. The 50% bonus is also available if biomass stoves or boilers are purchased, and is also provided if these systems do not replace but are combined with the gas system.
Instead, you can get the 65% Ecobonus if you replace an old boiler with:
- condensing boilers and simultaneous installation of advanced thermoregulation systems (the “intelligent” valves that regulate the individual radiators);
- hybrid systems i.e. boilers combined with heat pumps;
- heat pump boilers;
- heat pump air conditioners, with simultaneous total disposal of the previous heating system.
In the latter case, the boiler and the old system must be scrapped sworn separately. In this case, however, the use of the boiler for the sole production of domestic hot water is permitted.
The benefits that will come
As regards the future, with the budget for 2025 all bonuses will be restructured. In fact, the government provides higher benefits only for the first home. The confirmation of higher rates for plants in line with the EU directive was also announced.
