High subsidies

Good advice is not at all expensive

When choosing a new heating system, you shouldn't just go for the first solution that comes along, but get detailed information beforehand.(Bild: R2H_Photography)

Anyone who throws out their old heating system can hope for generous subsidies - up to 75 and even 100 percent of the costs can be reimbursed. But there are "hurdles" - especially for households with little financial leeway.

"It feels like demand has doubled," reports Karl-Heinz Strele from the plumbing company of the same name in Dornbirn and chairman of his guild in the Chamber of Commerce. For two years now, there has been an increase in demand due to lucrative subsidies. At the turn of the year - with the expansion of the subsidies - interest increased once again. The telephone lines at the Energy Institute are also running hot at the moment. Inquiries about replacing heating systems are only just below the all-time high in spring 2022 - at that time, many people were afraid that they would soon be left without gas due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. "In addition to heating replacement as the absolute number one topic, inquiries about photovoltaics and building renovation have also increased significantly," reports energy consultant Manuel Neuer.