Mandatory heating rental in new buildings - is that possible?

Hello forum,
I am new here.
We intend to build and have encountered a problem that is causing us headaches. I would like to hear your opinion on it.

A new development area is being developed in our town. After the developments in recent months, the prospects - for us - are good to get a plot. Not so many want to build anymore. The € is no longer loose.

The building requirements are very high. Among other things, a heat concept was developed with the local utility company, which to me rather resembles a stimulus program for the utility company. But maybe I am overlooking something.

For noise reasons, geothermal collectors are being used, laid out extensively by the utility company. The heating technology comes from the utility company and can be used for a fee for 10 or 15 years. The costs are outrageous compared to a standard air-to-water heat pump concept for a KFW 55 or KfW40 house.

About the costs:

A one-time construction subsidy and a connection fee of approximately €25k are to be paid. This covers the collector construction and connection to the network. Then, depending on the performance of the heat pump installed, a basic monthly fee/service charge for provision is to be paid for 10 or 15 years – about €200 to €280/month for 6kW. On top of that are the actual heating costs, here only about 8 cents/kWh.

I am pretty angry because the builders

1) cannot choose their technology
2) are forced to design their economic space so that the utility can integrate their system
3) I am tied down for 10 or 15 years to pay the utility a flat rate
4) After the term ends, I either have to install technology at my own expense (there is only a lifelong right to use the heat source) or somehow continue with further payments to the utility with their system.
5) It is not foreseen/allowed to couple the photovoltaic system with the heat exchanger, only with household electricity. (Sustainable?)

What do you think about this? Clearly, geothermal energy is much more efficient than air heat pumps, but when I add everything up, over 10 or 15 years I will have paid a total of €58k to €64k (connection costs + technology rent + service fee, etc.) to the local utility, and that’s before the heat even flows, which comes on top, I own none of it, and I have to see how to continue in 10-15 years with further costs.

I consider this extreme usury and rather a sustainable stimulus program for the local utility, and not a sustainable heating concept.

What am I overlooking? This whole thing is sold to the builders as especially sustainable. Environment and all that. And no one complains, construction is happening like crazy.

What do you think about it?

Actually, it doesn't matter what we think about it. Because you only have two options, as it is a digital decision:

1. Be happy that you can build a nice little house
2. Get annoyed about the heating and just don't build

Sure, geothermal energy is much more efficient than air heat pumps

If you only pay for the heat, it doesn't matter at all how it is produced. You don't benefit from it.

when I add it all up I have paid the local utilities a total sum of €58k to €64k in 10 or 15 years (connection costs + technology rent + service fee etc.),

That's definitely not usury. How much does a geothermal heating system cost you if you buy and install it yourself?

I have to watch how it goes with further costs in 15 years.

You have the same problem if it is your property. And if your owned heat pump breaks down after 12 years, you buy a new one, whereas with the municipal utility model a new model is not your problem. And that costs a basic fee.

I consider this extreme usury and rather a sustainable economic stimulus program for the local utilities than a sustainable heating concept for residents.

Nope, I basically find it good. Definitely not usury. Definitely sustainable.

Extortion it certainly is not. How much does a geothermal heating system cost you if you buy and install it yourself?

I would never build a geothermal heating system right now. Therefore, the comparison is not relevant. From the approximately 70k€ payments over 15 years, I could almost fully equip 3 houses with air-to-water heat pump systems. That means, even if something breaks down after 12 years as you write, the money I pay would be enough multiple times over to replace something.

But thanks anyway for the assessment. :)

What you are describing is a local heating network. This only works properly if as many people as possible participate, which is why there is a connection obligation, which is also legally sustainable. In theory, such a local heating network is also a clean concept because you can benefit from economies of scale.

As far as the costs are concerned, it also seems quite high to me, especially the basic fee. That is then €2500 per year just for the basic fee. The development is harder to assess. With the drilling, there are certainly some economies of scale, but a heating network still has to be built.

Ultimately, it is now too late for that, the issue should have been addressed in advance by the municipal council.

What you are describing is a local heating network. That only works properly if as many people as possible participate, which is why there is a mandatory connection requirement, which is also legally tenable. In theory, such a local heating network is also a clean concept because you can take advantage of economies of scale. As far as the costs are concerned, it also seems quite high to me, especially the basic fee. That is then 2500€ per year just for the basic fee. The development is more difficult to assess. With the drilling, there are certainly some economies of scale, but a heating network still has to be built. In the end, however, it is now too late for this; the issue should have been addressed in advance by the municipal council.

Yes, unfortunately that is the case. That should have been dealt with beforehand. You are right about that. It is certainly legally tenable as well. I find the costs excessive. There would even be an additional 100 euros per year for a meter. Plus, of course, the psychological effect, again being just a passenger as a tenant.

Of the approximately €70k payments over 15 years, I could almost equip 3 houses completely with air-to-water heat pump heating systems.

Even more is possible with the current monoblocks – if available. But unfortunately, you don't have a choice.