Heat pumps in Frankfurt am Main
Heat pumps in Frankfurt am Main at a glance
Frankfurt published the draft municipal heating plan in 2 April 2026. The heating plan is being prepared jointly with Mainova, Fraunhofer IFAM, e-think energy research and IREES. The formal resolution has been delayed beyond the federal deadline of 30 June 2026: the Magistrat is due to decide in August 2026, and the Stadtverordnetenversammlung is expected to decide at the beginning of October 2026.
Mainova is expanding Frankfurt's district heating to become climate-neutral by 2040. A new hydrogen-ready gas-fired power station on Gutleutstraße will start operating in the 2026/27 heating season.
Hesse has no separate state funding for private individuals. The City of Frankfurt offers a Klimabonus, but no dedicated heat pump programme. Owners combine KfW 458 with the Frankfurter Klimabonus.
See also: Nationwide basics. KfW 458, GEG and technical minimum requirements apply in Frankfurt am Main without restriction.
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Funding in Frankfurt am Main
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| KfW 458 (federal funding) | active |
| Frankfurter Klimabonus | active, check individual components |
| Mainova funding bonus for heating replacement | active, depending on tariff |
| Hesse state funding | not available for private individuals |
Details on KfW 458 are available in the Nationwide basics. Check the Frankfurter Klimabonus and Mainova tariffs on the relevant website or directly via the hotline.
frankfurt.de Klimabonus Mainova funding
Application process and responsible bodies
Lower water authority of the City of Frankfurt
The lower water authority is based at the Umweltamt. It approves geothermal probes and groundwater heat pumps.
Building control department of the City of Frankfurt
Building control assesses noise protection and installation issues on a case-by-case basis. Since 29 November 2022, Hesse has had no minimum planning-law distance.
Mainova AG
Mainova is the municipal energy provider. It is the contact point for district heating and heating replacement tariffs.
Service telephone: 069 213-0
Energiereferat of the City of Frankfurt
The Energiereferat manages the heating transition and operates the Wärmewende Frankfurt platform.
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Status of municipal heating planning
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Contract awarded to Mainova and specialist partners | 2024 |
| Publication of the draft | 2 April 2026 |
| Resolution by the Magistrat | scheduled for August 2026 |
| Resolution by the Stadtverordnetenversammlung | expected at the beginning of October 2026 |
| Climate-neutral district heating | 2040 |
The resolution has been delayed beyond the original federal deadline of 30 June 2026. The heating plan designates district heating priority areas and decentralised supply areas. Frankfurt is assessing which neighbourhoods are better suited to district heating and which to heat pumps.
Local features
Mainova district heating network
Frankfurt's district heating network is one of the largest in Hesse. Mainova is expanding it to become climate-neutral by 2040. In connected districts, district heating is often the simplest option.
Hydrogen-ready gas-fired power station
The new Mainova power station on Gutleutstraße will start operating in the 2026/27 heating season. It is hydrogen-ready and part of the climate-neutrality strategy.
Water protection areas in the city forest
There are several drinking water protection areas in Frankfurt's city forest. Geothermal probes require special assessment there.
Frequently asked questions
What funding applies to my heat pump in Frankfurt?
Primarily the federal funding KfW 458. The Frankfurter Klimabonus may also apply, depending on the package of measures. There is no separate municipal grant for heat pumps.
Who approves a geothermal probe in Frankfurt?
The lower water authority at the Umweltamt of the City of Frankfurt. The city forest has water protection areas with special requirements.
When will Frankfurt's heating plan be adopted?
The draft has been available since 2 April 2026. The resolution has been delayed beyond the original federal deadline of 30 June 2026: the Magistrat is due to decide in August 2026, and the Stadtverordnetenversammlung is expected to decide at the beginning of October 2026.
Is district heating worthwhile in Frankfurt?
Often yes in the dense Mainova network, including Innenstadt, Westend, Bockenheim and Sachsenhausen. In decentralised districts, a heat pump is usually the better solution.
What will the new Mainova power station on Gutleutstraße provide?
The hydrogen-ready gas-fired power station will replace old facilities from the 2026/27 heating season and is a key component for climate-neutral district heating by 2040.