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Smart Meters Now Mandatory for New Heat Pumps in Germany

The policy requires controllable meters to manage grid peaks, unlocking regulated cost protections.

Overview

  • Since early 2025, new heat-pump installations fall under §14a EnWG and must use a smart meter that allows temporary throttling during grid bottlenecks.
  • Owners receive network-charge relief tied to this setup, with discounts of up to 60% or a flat rebate of up to €190 a year, and the entitlement applies even before installation is completed.
  • The local grundzuständige Messstellenbetreiber is responsible for fitting the device, though customers may switch to a competitive operator if the rollout stalls.
  • No upfront charge applies when the meter is installed under the legal mandate, while voluntary installations typically cost about €100 after courts curbed excessive one-off fees.
  • Annual costs are capped at up to €50 for meter operation plus up to €50 for the required control unit, and suppliers must offer dynamic tariffs, though studies report limited household savings without added services.