Dieter's Dilemma: Heat Pump Thefts Spread Across Germany
Gucci Heat Pump Losses Have a Chilling Effect on Global Warming
With Green Party support, Germans are pivoting away from efficient natural gas furnaces, once fueled by Putin’s inexpensive natural gas, and are now installing expensive heat pumps, which reside outdoors.
Heat pumps can cost upwards of $30,000.00. This heat transfer technology dates back to the 1970s and can be very useful in the right application. An overnight Green Craze and a big business in Germany, heat pumps are often sold out, and the wait for a qualified installer can last months.
“This is the technology of the future,” says Robert Habeck, the minister for the economy, the Green Party Leader who is infamous for shutting down all of Germany’s nuclear power plants.
Follow the Heat Pump Money $
“This growth has been mainly driven by the increasing awareness among consumers about the importance of climate-friendly and efficient heating. Heat pumps provide the best alternative to fossil fuel heating, while break free from gas imports. “We must now continue to build on this. The target of 500,000 devices already issued by the Federal Government for 2024 is ambitious but achievable » says Paul Waning, BWP’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.”
Heat Pump Sales Almost off the Chart
Theft Of Heat Pumps Installed Outdoors Spreads In Germany
As heat pumps become the latest trend, so is their theft. That is because they are installed outdoors, so, insurance companies refuse to cover the loss.
Swiss site Tichy’s Einblick here reports on how police and consumer advocates are warning homeowners heat pumps are being stolen and that often aren’t insured because they are not not secured indoors.
As opposed to fossil fuel furnaces, which are housed securely in basements, heat pumps are usually installed outdoors, thus making them easy targets for criminals.
“Criminals have apparently now discovered the theft of heat pumps as a new business field for themselves,” reports Tichy’s Einblick, citing the Nordkurier. “Throughout Germany, the police are receiving more and more reports of heat pumps being dismantled and stolen.”
Because heat pumps are usually not installed indoors, they end up not being covered by standard household insurance policies if stolen or damaged. This misfortune was experienced by one woman in Germany, when here 15,000 euro pump was stolen and her insurance company refused to cover the damage.
“The insurance company now does not want to pay. The problem: the heat pump was not covered by the building insurance. Since the heat pump is not in the house but in front of it, she is stuck with the costs,” reports Tichy’s Einblick. Criminals are reported stealing units from homes under construction as well.
Securing heat pumps against theft of course will only add to their already hefty costs of their installation. Germany aims to pass a law forcing all German households off gas and oil heating systems beginning next year.
Cage Them in to Slow Down Theft
Good one. Installers have also reported that in a lot of these older homes the heat pumps are inadequate for the coldest weather, leaving their owners shivering, unless they boost their heat with expensive electric heaters, a good way to crash the fragile wind/solar grid during a winter cold spell when usually both wind & solar are minimum.