TOWARDS THE END OF FUEL OIL HEATING IN BELGIUM?

The inter-federal energy pact sets out the broad outlines of the future of Belgian energy and climate policy until 2050. Through this pact, our political leaders intend to respect the promise made by our country at the climate summit of Paris in 2015 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to counter the effects of global warming. In 2017, residential heating represented 13.3% of these greenhouse gases emitted in Belgium, which is why the government has decided to target it.

Towards the end of oil heating in Belgium?

In order to comply with the Paris Agreement, the federal government has decided to ban the sale of oil-fired boilers from 2035 onwards throughout Belgium, but there is no talk of banning its use yet. Fuel oil as an energy source has not yet disappeared.

• In Flanders

24% of the Flemish building stock is heated via an oil boiler. In order to speed up the replacement of these devices, the energy minister Bart Tommelein decided on a two-speed ban: in 2021 for new construction and major renovations with building permits; in 2035 for existing dwellings.

• In Brussels

Only 16% of homes are heated with oil, it is in this region that the transition will be easiest. Brussels is considering an accessible premium between 2021 and 2025 for the removal of an oil system.

• Wallonia

It is the region most affected by this law with nearly 50% of households heating with oil. This is explained by the fact that many houses are not connected to gas. Given the complexity of the situation, the government is considering offering aid, or even making exceptions for the most remote areas.

The use will however remain authorized

Indeed, if the sale of these devices will be prohibited, its use will not be. However, with 35% of homes heated by oil in Belgium, it will be premature to bury this technology.

A modern oil boiler has a minimum service life of 15 years. Consequently, a large number of boilers can still be used after 2035 and this until their end of life, which can reach 25 years.

• “Heating” Energy Premium in Brussels.

2020 will see an increase in premium amounts for the replacement of a boiler. Replacing an old boiler with a new installation of energy class A guarantees considerable savings and it is now possible to touch up up to € 1,200 with the purchase of a new boiler of this type. The request for a Premium can be submitted as an individual, community, co-ownership, tenant, etc. The claimant category, which determines the amounts reimbursed, is defined by annual income.

The average energy bill of Brussels households amounts to € 1,400 / year, 60% of which is spent on heating. Well-insulated accommodation combined with a high-performance heating system therefore offers substantial savings in the long term.

Conclusion

Although the ban on oil heating will be effective in 2035 in Belgium, there are still many unknowns that the government and the regions must resolve. In addition, in some cases, very few solutions other than fuel oil are economically possible. Ultimately oil heating has not yet said its last word.

Lecobel Vaneau
Place Brugmann 11, Ixelles 1050
Tel: +32 2 340 72 70
@: lecobel@lecobel.be