The cabinet announced on Tuesday that a hybrid heat pump will be standard for heating homes from 2026. This means that people are forced to install such a pump when their central heating boiler needs to be replaced. An electric heat pump or connection to the heat network is also an option for unsuitable homes.
With this measure, the government wants to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. Minister Hugo de Jonge (Wonen): “The urgency is great and the speed must be increased. “It’s better for everyone’s wallet if we use less natural gas.” “Together with the founders and suppliers, the company wants to change things.”
Minister Rob Jetten (Climate) added that more technicians will be trained in the coming years and that the production of heat pumps will increase by 2026.
According to government figures, a heat pump saves 60% on natural gas consumption. In homes that are already well insulated, a fully electric heat pump is an even better alternative: it uses no natural gas at all. In cities where heat networks have been installed, homes can also be connected to them.
To make the transition as smooth as possible, the government offers a subsidy for the purchase of a pump. This represents 30% of the purchase price. The company will earmark 150 million euros per year for this until 2030.
Companies satisfied with measure
The umbrella housing association Aedes speaks of an excellent development. Housing associations are already working on sustainability, but alternatives such as installing a heat network take time, according to the umbrella organisation. “So this is an excellent solution for using less gas. In the meantime, you can innovate for new solutions.”
The spokesperson cannot say how many housing association homes currently have a regular central heating boiler. Companies have pledged to give priority to homes with the lowest energy labels. Housing associations jointly owned about 2.3 million homes last year, reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
