The consumer protection association vzbv in Germany is advocating for a 10-year advance notice for the decommissioning of local gas grids in cities to help households transition to climate-friendly energy sources. This is aimed at preventing customers from investing in new gas-based heating systems that may become uneconomical in the future. The city of Mannheim has taken the lead by announcing a gas phase-out in heating by 2035, triggering mixed reactions from citizens who recently installed gas heating systems. To avoid 'cost traps' for consumers, the vzbv emphasizes the importance of early notifications when phasing out gas grids. The shift towards district heating, heat pumps, and renewable energy sources is highlighted as a more sustainable alternative to gas heating, with about half of German households currently using gas for heating. The ongoing transition is supported by a law focusing on a climate-friendly heating sector, promoting renewable energy technologies like biomass, hydrogen, and geothermal energy as alternatives to fossil fuels.