BAFA funding heat pump - deadlines?

Hello everyone,

regarding an application for funding our air heat pump (new build), I have a question.

The contract for work with the company (Büdenbender) was already signed at the end of 2019. However, the construction measures will only slowly start in the next few months. According to Bafa, our heat pump is not eligible for funding because the contract for work was signed before the online application to Bafa. Is this correct? I actually can't imagine that, as many friends have built in the last 2 or 3 years and are now applying for money retroactively.

In general, I find this procedure very complicated. Maybe you can clarify it for me.

By the way.... Without effort I was able to register 2 children at the family benefits office, assistance, private health insurance...I handled an entire house, I have a degree....but obviously too stupid to understand Bafa XD

There is a crucial detail. The contract regarding a pump must not be concluded before the application confirmation is received. Apparently, that was the case.

Addendum: with the others, most likely only one(!) pump was agreed upon, not which one.

Is there currently a deadline by which the application must be submitted? Or is the funding expiring?

It was completely redesigned only at the beginning of this year. I am not aware of any deadline. In that case, everything should be findable on the BAFA website.

The contract for work with the company (Büdenbender) has been concluded since the end of 2019.

If this contract for work also includes the heating installation, then it looks bad for the subsidy. If you still need to conclude individual trade contracts with the craftsmen, then it looks good.

According to Bafa, our heat pump is not eligible for funding because the contract for work was concluded before the online application to Bafa. Is this correct?

Correct. On the BAFA website, it says in the funding requirements: "The application must be submitted via the electronic application form before the start of the measure. The start of the project is considered to be the conclusion of a delivery or service contract attributable to the execution. Planning services may be provided before the application is submitted." (Source: BAFA website)
So if the execution (installation of the heat pump) is included in the signed contract for work, then this counts as the start of the project.

Why don’t you ask your friends how they managed to still receive the subsidy retroactively? Maybe their tips will help. For me, it looks at first as if no subsidy is possible anymore.

As said, presumably because the heating itself had not yet been finalized.