Everything you need to know about the upcoming gas conversion to H-gas

By 2030, L-gas will be replaced by more efficient H-gas in six federal states in northwestern and western Germany. This change affects both the gas network infrastructure and many households whose gas-powered appliances such as stoves, boilers and thermal spas need to be adapted or replaced. An estimated 4.3 million households are affected by this change. The affected citizens are informed in good time by their gas network operators about the necessary measures and the timetable.

In this article, you can find out which federal states are affected by the gas conversion, how the process works and what costs may arise.

What is L-gas and H-gas?

Two types of natural gas are used in Germany: L-gas and H-gas.

Differences between L-gas and H-gas

L-gas, short for Low calorific gas, has a low calorific value and energy content. This gas comes primarily from domestic sources and the Netherlands. Lower energy content means that more gas is needed to produce the same amount of energy.

H gas, High calorific gas, has a higher methane content and has a higher calorific value than L-gas. That is why it releases more energy. H-gas is mainly imported from Norway and Great Britain.

Reasons for switching from L-gas to H-gas

Due to the decline in L-gas reserves and increasing dependence on imports, Germany is switching to more efficient H-gas. This change is intended to ensure long-term energy supply and increase supply security.

Why do the heating systems have to be converted?

The need for retrofitting

The L-gas reserves in Germany and the Netherlands are almost exhausted. L-gas, which releases less energy, is therefore replaced by the more efficient H-gas to ensure long-term energy supply. Since the L-gas has a lower calorific value than the H-gas, the requirements for the gas supply and the adjustment of the appliances are changing. This change requires adjustments to the existing infrastructure and gas-powered equipment.

Adjustments to the devices

H gas has a higher calorific value than L gas. In order for the devices to be operated safely and efficiently with H-gas, they must be converted accordingly. This means that nozzles must be replaced or adjusted to ensure optimal combustion. Control valves must be readjusted to take account of the higher calorific value of the H-gas and to enable safe and efficient combustion.

Additional safety checks must be carried out to ensure that the devices are working properly after the changeover and that there are no safety risks.

The infrastructure must also be adapted as the pressure conditions and flow rates in the gas pipes could change as a result of the change from L-gas to H-gas. It is necessary to review and, if necessary, adjust the infrastructure to ensure that it meets the new requirements.

Without the necessary adjustments, gas-powered appliances could operate inefficiently or even become dangerous, as they may not be designed for the higher calorific value of H-gas. To ensure that the devices operate at maximum efficiency, it is important to correctly adjust them to the properties of the H gas.

Which federal states are affected?

The changeover primarily affects northwestern Germany. Consumers can visit the website of Federal Network Agency check whether they are currently using L-gas.

The affected federal states are:

• North Rhine Westphalia
• Lower Saxony
• hessen
• bremen
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Rhineland-Palatinate

These federal states are affected because they mainly purchase L-gas from the Netherlands or Germany, whose stocks are running low.

Are you still using L-gas? You must pay attention to that now.

Gas conversion information and timetable

All affected households will be informed in good time. The local gas network operator must inform households within two years. Anyone who receives a notification letter in 2024 will be converted in 2026.

The schedule has already started. From October 1, 2029, Dutch L-gas will no longer flow to Germany. The entire transition should be completed by 2030.

This is what households with L-gas need to prepare now

About a year before the changeover, technicians visithouseholds within the gas network operator. In doing so, they record and check the existing gas appliances. These short visits are used to record all gas-powered appliances. Then become a professional fitterMake the necessary adjustments internally.

How does the conversion from L-gas to H-gas work?

The network operator announces the changeover and coordinates the entire process through a specially set up gas office.

A gas office is a specially set up department or team within the network operator that organizes and supervises the entire conversion from L-gas to H-gas. This office serves as a central point of contact for planning, implementing and communicating the conversion measures.

Transition process

The devices mainly involve replacing nozzles and readjusting control valves.

The process is divided into three steps:

1. levying: Specialists register all existing gas appliances approximately 1 to 2 years before the conversion.
2. customization: Craftsmen replace burner nozzles and readjust the appliances, a few weeks before or after the changeover.
3. Quality control: Samples in every tenth household check that the adjustments have been carried out correctly.

What happens after the changeover?

Once the adjustments have been completed, the conversion to H-gas is complete and households can use the new, more efficient gas. The network operator will continue to monitor the changeover and will be available if there are any problems or questions. In addition, households should have their gas appliances serviced regularly to ensure that they continue to operate efficiently and safely.

Which gas appliances are affected by the changeover?

The transition to H-gas affects a wide range of gas-powered appliances, including:

• gas boilers
• gas boiler
• gas ovens
• gas stoves
• gas water heater
• gas fireplaces

These adjustments also apply to gas floor heating systems and gas stoves in kitchens. However, natural gas cars are not affected by the changeover. Natural gas cars usually use CNG (compressed natural gas), which is often already H gas or a mixture of different types of gas. These vehicles are designed to operate with a wide range of methane concentrations and are therefore flexible when dealing with different gas qualities.

Costs and financial support for gas conversion

Costs and subsidies

There are no additional costs for households to convert gas appliances, as they have access to Network charges is financed. Network charges are fees that gas customers pay for using the gas network. These fees cover the costs of maintaining, operating and expanding the gas network.

Are there still any costs?

There are no direct costs for households for the conversion itself, as these are covered by network charges. However, costs may arise if certain gas appliances cannot be converted and must be replaced. This applies to devices that are not technically compatible with the new H-gas, which may be due to their age, specific design or lack of conversion options.

If a device cannot be converted to the new H-gas, it must be replaced. In such cases, consumers can apply for various subsidies:

• 100€ subsidy per new device: This subsidy can be applied for from the network operator by the owners of the affected device, based on the Energy Industry Act §19a EnWG.
• Additional subsidies for heating appliances: Depending on the age of the previous appliance, 100 to 500 euros can be reimbursed for the replacement of heating devices. Devices older than 25 years will not be refunded. The exact breakdown is as follows:
  • 100 euros: for devices that are between 10 and 15 years old
  • 300 euros: for devices that are between 15 and 20 years old
  • 500 euros: for devices that are between 20 and 25 years old
• Owners can apply for these subsidies from the network operator.
• Voluntary exchange: Householders that voluntarily purchase a new device after the changeover date has been announced can also apply for a subsidy of 100 euros per device. This applies to self-adapting gas appliances or alternative heating systems such as wood pellet heating systems or heat pumps.

Although H gas is more expensive than L gas, the total cost of consumption remains almost unchanged. Thanks to the higher calorific value of H-gas, less gas is required to generate the same amount of energy. Since billing is based on the amount of energy delivered, the changeover will barely be financially noticeable for most households. It is not the volume of gas consumed that counts, but the amount of energy actually delivered.

Conclusion

The conversion from L-gas to H-gas affects around 4.3 million households in six federal states of Germany and is expected to be completed by 2030. This measure is necessary to secure long-term energy supply and to reduce dependence on dwindling L-gas reserves. Gas-powered appliances must be adapted to operate safely and efficiently with H-gas. These adjustments are free of charge for households, as the costs are financed through network charges. Thanks to the higher calorific value of H-gas, less gas is required, which contributes to a stable energy supply in the long term.

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