German government's unexpected move angers citizens and installers: 'Everything changed overnight'

A sudden decision by the German government to cut subsidies for heat pump installations has sparked widespread discontent among homeowners and installation companies. The Bundestag's budget committee altered the state subsidy program, leading to reduced grants for numerous households and leaving installers scrambling to adapt.

Installers report being overwhelmed with calls and emails from concerned clients seeking clarification on whether they can still secure subsidies under the old rules. Lutz Spring, owner of a heat pump installation company near Berlin, described cutting his vacation short to address client inquiries. "Many craftsmen and entrepreneurs were literally buried under calls and emails overnight from citizens who want to know if they can still claim subsidies under the old rules or if they will have to pay significantly more of their own money due to the new decisions," the article states.

While installers acknowledge that changes were anticipated, they criticize the abrupt implementation, which has created chaos. Many customers had already signed installation contracts based on previous subsidy amounts and now face higher out-of-pocket expenses. The changes are projected to save the German budget around 2.1 billion euros. For some households, the maximum state subsidy for a modern heat pump could decrease by nearly 4,000 euros.

Under the new rules, households with average incomes will see their subsidies drop from 55 percent to 46 percent of eligible costs, capped at investments up to 28,000 euros. Subsidies are set to decrease further every six months starting in 2027. Tobias Klug, co-founder of nuuEnergy, expressed dissatisfaction, noting that information on the new regulations was difficult to obtain through official channels.

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Many craftsmen and entrepreneurs were literally buried under calls and emails overnight from citizens who want to know if they can still claim subsidies under the old rules or if they will have to pay significantly more of their own money due to the new decisions.