Subsidies for boiler exchanges should take into account lifecycle emissions – certifier

Government subsidies for boiler exchanges must take into account the full lifecycle emissions of heating systems, said Germany’s leading technical inspection and certification service provider, TÜV. “A complete climate balance considers not only energy efficiency,” said Ingo Steinke, TÜV’s climate expert. “All phases must be taken into account, including the production (grey emissions), as well as the dismantling and recycling (grey energy), of the systems." Steinke said producing and dismantling heating systems was of “crucial importance” for their overall climate impact.

The TÜV welcomed Germany’s new law on the phase out of fossil fuel heating systems, but called for a more comprehensive picture of environmentally friendly heating systems. It said the federal government had already established an instrument to promote a life-cycle-based analysis of new building constructions, which also takes into account grey emissions. This approach should be extended to boiler replacements, argued the certifier. A mandatory consideration of grey energies and emissions in the context of modernisation projects would significantly support efforts to reduce emissions, it added.