(Frankfurt am Main, 31.08.2023) The ongoing debate about the Building Energy Act is slowing down the energy and heat transition in the building sector: Demand for heat pumps has fallen sharply, homeowners are reluctant to make climate-friendly investments, and manufacturers and the skilled trades are unsettled. In view of the upcoming decision in the Bundestag, VDE, ZVEH and ZVEI are calling for clarity and planning security for all those affected. The decarbonization of the building sector affects the broad population and must therefore be implemented in a way that is as socially acceptable as it is ambitious.
In addition, the associations believe it is important to focus not only on the high efficiency of the heat pump. The interaction of the individual components - from energy generation, storage and consumption to the efficient distribution of energy - is particularly important.
Technologies such as photovoltaic systems, heat pumps and storage systems can help to reduce energy consumption. An integrated energy management system, which in addition to these components also incorporates the charging infrastructure for the e-vehicle, household appliances, roller shutters and air conditioning, ensures that the e-car is always charged with solar power and the washing machine is only switched on when there is still sufficient PV power available or the electricity drawn from the power grid is particularly cheap at the moment. The intelligent system takes into account weather influences - the dishwasher only switches on when the level of PV generation is high - as well as the habits and requirements of the people living in the house.
All these technologies have long been available. Policymakers should promote their use instead of putting the brakes on it. After all, they make a significant contribution to achieving the climate targets set by policymakers.
VDE, ZVEH and ZVEI will be demonstrating how PV systems, storage units, heat pumps and wallboxes, energy management systems and building automation systems, and much more interact with each other to unlock efficiency potential at IFA from September 1 to 5, 2023, in the "House of Smart Living" in the redesigned Sustainability Village (Hall 2.2).
