At a heating plant, water is heated to approximately 75 to 100 degrees Celsius. The hot water flows through an underground pipeline network to the connected buildings, where it transfers its heat to the heating system. The cooled water then flows back to the heating plant and is reheated. This creates a closed loop.

The investment costs associated with switching to district heating are relatively low:

• The building does not require its own heating system to generate heat.
• Existing radiators can usually continue to be used.
• Major structural alterations to the building are usually not required.

District heating is particularly well-suited for densely built-up urban areas and is often suitable for historic buildings as well.

• It takes up very little space. The transfer station is about the same size as a gas heating system.
• No additional equipment needs to be installed outdoors.

District heating can utilize a variety of heat sources. These include, for example, waste heat from industry, data centers, and waste-to-energy plants, as well as combined heat and power (CHP) plants that generate both electricity and heat. This allows existing energy sources to be used particularly efficiently.

Already today, over 60 percent of district heating in Wiesbaden is generated in a climate-neutral manner. By 2045, heat generation will be fully converted to sustainable energy sources. As a result, district heating is already making an important contribution to climate protection today.

Expanding a district heating network is a complex undertaking. To prevent heat loss, well-insulated pipes are laid beneath the streets. This is very labor-intensive and involves high investment costs. ESWE Versorgung initially covers the costs of the district heating network. In the long term, these costs are recouped through consumer rates. As a result, consumer rates may be higher than for other types of heating. The total operating costs over 20 years are comparable to those of a heat pump.

District heating is particularly well-suited for areas where many buildings are located close together. In Wiesbaden, this primarily applies to the downtown area and the Historic Pentagon. There, district heating networks can be operated particularly cost-effectively, provided that enough property owners connect to the district heating system. In addition, other heating solutions are often only possible to a limited extent in the downtown area.

Whether a district heating connection makes sense for your building depends on various factors. These include, among other things, the location of your building, the available district heating zones, and the investment and heating costs. A personalized energy consultation can help you make this decision.

Would you like to know if your building can be connected to the district heating network? If so, you can express your interest in a district heating connection to ESWE Versorgung and find out more about the connection options.

In some areas of Wiesbaden, a district heating ordinance is in effect. In those areas, connection to the district heating network is planned. The ordinance supports the expansion of a climate-friendly heat supply in densely built-up urban areas and helps ensure that district heating is operated cost-effectively.