The Greens in the Bundestag have presented a concept for replacing the heating system with greater social differentiation and higher state funding.
The financial support, especially for low earners, should be significantly expanded, said parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge in Berlin at a symposium of the Greens. “People on low incomes get more support than those on high incomes.” The proposal goes well beyond that of the federal government.
The concept presented by the federal government provides for a basic subsidy of 30 percent of the investment costs for all citizens in owner-occupied homes for the exchange of an old fossil for a new climate-friendly heating system. In addition, under certain conditions, there should be surcharges in the form of “climate bonuses” of an additional 10 to 20 percent.
Promotion of up to 80 percent
The Greens parliamentary group is now proposing that there should be socially graded funding in addition to the basic funding and the climate bonuses. This can total up to 80 percent of the total costs of a new, climate-friendly heating system. People with a taxable household income of up to 20,000 euros a year should benefit from this maximum subsidy. The subsidy rate should gradually decrease, the higher the income is. People with a taxable household income of up to 60,000 euros should receive a subsidy of 40 percent of the total costs.
The Greens also want to align the planned additional credit support for the heating switch via the state development bank KfW with social criteria. “Interest terms and repayment grants are correspondingly more favorable, the lower the income and the higher the subsidy.” Especially people with low income, including many pensioners, should be able to take advantage of the credit lines. The expansion of funding leads to additional costs compared to the current funding situation. “This is a good investment to make the heat transition more social and fairer,” it said.
