Old fireplaces soon banned
Fireplaces and furnaces produce too much particulate matter. Environmentalists have been warning about this for some time. In two years' time, old stoves will finally be banned.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) operates over 600 measuring stations in Germany. Based on the measurements, it could be determined that households in Germany blow 16.4 tonnes of fine dust into the air from so-called small combustion systems. That is almost as many tonnes of particulate matter as all the traffic on Germany's roads produces, namely 16.5 tonnes. For some time now, the UBA has been warning about the pollutants that enter the air when wood is burned. New measures are now to help reduce particulate matter and remove old stoves from living rooms.
Owners still have until 31 December 2024 to retrofit their old fireplaces or stoves with a filter so that the legal limits can be met. If this does not happen, the stoves in question must be decommissioned or removed. This does not apply to stoves sold and installed after 2010. However, historic tiled stoves from before 1950, such as those found in many old buildings in Berlin until recently, are exempt from the new regulations. However, it is not recommended to heat these old stoves exclusively with wood anyway, but with briquettes. Such old fireplaces are also still allowed. Stoves can be retrofitted either with a passive filter, which has to be renewed regularly. Or an active filter can be installed, which can bind small particles from the smoke by electrostatic charging, for example. Unfortunately, such retrofits are often more expensive than a brand new environmentally friendly stove. In addition, it must be proven that the stove was installed a long time ago. Incidentally, this exemption does not apply to newly installed anti-pollution stoves. However, anyone who continues to use their old stove must expect a hefty fine of up to 50,000 euros in the event of an inspection.