Funding cap of 5,000 euros is not very ambitious, longer-term planning is necessary
Vienna (OTS) – New funding pot “Exchange Renewables”: proPellets Austria praises the approach, but criticizes the funding period for being too short and calls for a fair adjustment of the funding rate
Doris Stiksl, managing director of the industry association proPellets Austria, welcomes the new funding measures as an important contribution to the success of the energy transition. The exchange of outdated wood heating systems and heat pumps with modern, efficient heating systems is supported. So far, the funding has focused on replacing oil and gas heating systems. Households that want to replace old wood heating systems and heat pumps are now also supported. Up to 5,000 euros are available for exchanging them, provided they are at least 15 years old. But Stiksl doesn’t go far enough: “The funding cap is too low. Households that relied on sustainable wood heating decades ago are clearly at a disadvantage compared to those that relied on fossil fuels. In addition, the funding period of 18 months is far too short and offers no economic planning.” She calls for an increase to the same funding rate of 75 percent and a change in the funding period to at least four years.
Expansion of funding measures
So far, the funding has focused on replacing oil and gas heating systems. Households with old heating systems that emit a lot of fine dust or use outdated technologies are now also included. This represents a significant innovation and, if designed correctly, is an important contribution to the energy transition.
Voices from the industry
„This is an important step! This means that those who recognized many years ago that wood is a key pillar of the energy transition will not go away empty-handed. Here we are talking about added value for everyone: In the meantime, the efficiencies and emissions of wood central heating have improved massively, and so everyone benefits from this new funding
“, says Helmut Matschnig, Managing Director of KWB, premium provider for efficient energy systems and offers individual overall solutions for renewable heat and electricity.
„We expressly welcome this measure and see it as an important signal for climate protection. This expanded funding allows us to make a greater contribution to reducing emissions and accelerating the transition to sustainable heating systems
“, says Gerhard Schöfberger, authorized representative of Fröling, a producer of firewood, wood chips and pellets for households and industry.
Advantages of the new funding
The extended funding offers numerous advantages:
- Wider target group: For the first time, households that do not have oil or gas heating but want to replace outdated wood heating systems with low efficiency and high emissions are also being supported.
- Environmental friendliness: Switching to modern and highly efficient heating systems such as pellet heaters reduces fine dust emissions by up to 97 percent and contributes significantly to security of supply.
- Cost efficiency: The new funding measures make financial access to environmentally friendly heating technologies easier and reduce heating costs in the long term.
Doris Stiksl, managing director of the Austrian Pellet Association, explains: “The economy needs more predictability. It is important to guarantee funding until at least 2027. Just like consumers, the trades and the economy need planning.
“
Increase in property value
Replacing outdated heating systems with modern alternatives is not only cost-saving and environmentally friendly, but also increases the value of a property in the long term. The European Buildings Directive, which was passed this year, provides for a ban on the use of fossil fuels for heating from 2040. This means that properties that are prepared for this new legal situation will also be valued higher in the future.
The combination of low pellet prices, high government subsidies and the prospect of increasing property value makes switching to pellet heating more attractive than ever. “It’s a win-win situation in every way
“, emphasizes Stiksl.
Photo, reprint free of charge
Mag. Doris Stiksl, Managing Director of proPellets Austria ©proPelletsAustria
Over proPellets Austria
The vision and goal of proPellets is the energy transition in heating. Pellets are intended to make a significant contribution to replacing fossil energy with renewable energy in Austria. proPellets connects and represents the Austrian pellet industry and serves as an interface and information platform for politics, media as well as companies and customers who want to switch to renewable energy for heating.
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