Your town is one of the 12 selected areas investigating a shared local heating solution. As a resident of the town, you have the opportunity to help make the plans a reality. Follow the three simple steps in the guide to learn more about what local heating is, how far your town is in the process, and how you can contribute.
What is local heating?
Local heating is essentially the same as district heating. The key difference is that while district heating covers larger areas, local heating is designed for smaller urban areas.
In local heating, a heat source is established close to the town, which is then connected to the homes via district heating pipes. The heating can come from a larger heat pump with an associated electric boiler, for example.
With local heating, you get more climate-friendly heat from green energy sources like electricity, straw, wood chips, solar energy, and, to some extent, waste.
Whether the local heating solution becomes a reality in your town depends largely on local support. The greater the participation, the more households there are to cover the investment.
Benefits of local heating
A more climate-friendly heating solution
An oil boiler emits an average of 5,600 kg of CO₂ per year, while a gas boiler emits 3,800 kg. Local heating is significantly more climate-friendly, and the goal is for all energy in the Sønderborg area to be completely CO₂-neutral by 2029.
Stable and collective solution
You become a shareholder in Sønderborg Varme and receive the same benefits as existing consumers in the company. This means you get the same stable prices – plus a possible fixed surcharge. The surcharge depends on how many households sign up for local heating.
Local heating is only financially attractive in areas where the price is competitive compared to alternative solutions, such as individual heat pumps.
Low maintenance
Once local heating is installed, it’s very easy and requires virtually no maintenance. All you have to do is enjoy a greener heating solution.
What you can do
As mentioned, your village is currently in the phase where the local heating solution is being investigated.
This means you cannot switch to local heating – yet.
However, you have two options to help influence the process so your village can realize the plans for a green, local heating solution:
Register your interest in local heating:
Register interest
Check the status and any upcoming town meetings in your village:
What’s happening in your village
If you have general questions about the local heating plans, you can contact Sønderborg Lokalvarme at:
+45 73 43 50 50
lokalvarme@sfjv.dk
What about my oil or gas boiler?
In the Sønderborg area, we are working towards replacing all oil and gas boilers by the end of 2029.
However, your situation is a bit special, as you live in an area currently exploring the possibility of local heating.
The realization of local heating depends on whether enough residents choose to join. The more people who sign up, the more households there are to share the investment.
Therefore, if you have an oil or gas boiler, we recommend that you wait before replacing it until the local heating plans are finalized.
We also advise against installing an individual heat pump in the meantime, as local heating is expected to be a more cost-effective solution for you. This is one of the key prerequisites for establishing a local heating system.