News item | 17-05-2022 | 09:30
The cabinet announces today that hybrid heat pumps will become the standard for heating homes from 2026. This means that when the central heating systems are replaced, people have to switch to a more sustainable alternative. In many cases this is a hybrid heat pump, but alternatives such as the fully electric heat pump or a connection to a heat network are also possible. With this, the cabinet wants to provide clarity for suppliers, installers and home and building owners and is amending the Buildings Decree for this purpose, also known as the Building Decree.
Minister De Jonge: ‘The urgency of sustainability is great and the pace must be increased. It is also better for everyone’s wallet if we use less natural gas. That is why the cabinet wants the hybrid heat pump to become the standard from 2026 when the central heating boiler needs to be replaced. The cabinet wants to make a change together with installers and suppliers. There is of course an exception option for homes that are not suitable, or if a home will be connected to an alternative to natural gas in the short term.’
Minister Rob Jetten: ‘From 2026, the (hybrid) heat pump will become the standard for heating homes that are not connected to a heat network. A heat pump not only provides significant gas savings, but is also good for the energy bill and the climate. In the meantime, we are joining forces with manufacturers and installers to train more technicians in the coming years and to scale up the production of heat pumps in the Netherlands.’
Substantial savings on natural gas
By switching to more sustainable heating installations, a lot of natural gas can be saved, which is good for the climate and ensures a lower energy bill. A hybrid heat pump is a combination of a heat pump and a central heating boiler. Because the central heating boiler kicks in on cold days, the hybrid heat pump is suitable for many homes, and can contribute to making the built environment more sustainable in both the short and long term (in combination with a sustainable gas). This leads to an average 60% saving on natural gas consumption. In well-insulated homes, it is also possible to switch directly to a fully electric heat pump, which uses no natural gas at all. A heat network is or will be available in part of the Netherlands, which is also a sustainable way of heating the home.
Standards for heating installations from 2026
The cabinet is preparing standards so that they can come into effect in 2026. The standard sets requirements for the efficiency of the heating system. This means that when the current central heating boiler is replaced, people will have to switch to a more sustainable alternative. There is an exception for homes that are not suitable, or that will be connected to another alternative to natural gas in the short term (for example, a heat network). To support the development of this technology, the government offers a subsidy for the purchase of a (hybrid) heat pump. This subsidy has been increased to an average of 30% from this year. Up to and including 2030, the cabinet has reserved €150 million per year to continue to support homeowners with the purchase of a (hybrid) heat pump. In addition, financing is available through the National Heat Fund, with an interest rate of 0 percent for low and middle incomes.
Cabinet works together with installers and manufacturers
The cabinet is working together with the installation sector (represented by Techniek Nederland) and the manufacturers (represented by the Dutch heating industry and the Heat Pumps Association). Techniek Nederland is doing everything it can to ensure that there are enough heat pump technicians. By ensuring that there will soon be a training location in every region where mechanics can receive additional training and by developing specific training courses for lateral entrants. Techniek Nederland will support technicians with tools that, for example, show which homes are suitable for (hybrid) heat pumps. Homeowners are helped because quality requirements will be set for products, installations and craftsmanship. Manufacturers are investing in a significant upscaling of production, for example by opening three additional production locations in the Netherlands in the short term. In addition, there will be more training facilities for mechanics. Hybrid heat pumps are becoming simpler, more user-friendly and more uniform. This makes for cheaper devices that are much easier to install.