How do Germans heat their homes?

Germans heat their homes in a variety of ways that reflect the country's focus on energy efficiency, strong regulations, and the transition to renewable energy. Historically, the most common system was a central gas boiler, Gasheizung, that burns natural gas to heat water that circulates through radiators or underfloor heating. This is still widespread, but due to climate goals and recent laws, it is rapidly being replaced. Many newer homes and renovated buildings use heat pumps, Warmepumpen, which extract heat from the outside air, ground, or groundwater and are highly efficient even in cold weather. This is where companies like Stiebel Eltron are market leaders. District heating, Fernwarme, is very common in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, where hot water from a central power plant is piped to entire neighborhoods. Underfloor heating, Fussbodenheizung, is extremely popular in new construction for comfort and efficiency. Wood pellet boilers, oil heating in older rural homes, and electric infrared panels are also used. German law now requires new heating systems to use at least 65% renewable energy, accelerating the shift to heat pumps.