ᐅ Difference in Initial Costs: Gas System vs. Heat Pump

So here in Bavaria/Allgäu, temperatures have dropped to -20°C (-4°F) several times…

I’ve also often heard about the “smart control” and think it’s basically a great idea. But how can this be implemented in practice?
I mean, the heat pump starts working after sunrise but only uses the electricity generated by the photovoltaic system, and then stops running once that power is no longer available. At the same time, it has to ensure it activates before the hot water runs out or the house cools down too much.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

Regards,
Specki

Specki schrieb:

Here in Bavaria/Allgäu, temperatures often drop to -20°C ( -4°F)....

I've also often heard about the "smart regulation" and think it's generally a great idea. But how can it be implemented in practice?
That is, having the heat pump start working after sunrise, but only using the electricity generated by the photovoltaic system, and shutting off again when that power is no longer available. It also has to be considered that the heat pump turns on before the hot water runs out or the house cools down too much.

I’m curious about this.

Regards,
Specki

That won’t quite work like that. There are plenty of days when there isn’t enough photovoltaic electricity even to cover the base load.
I have installed a Geisha (F model) and experimented with timers, lowering the temperature at night and slightly raising it during the day. Often the heating didn’t run at night at all, and the house cooled down a bit.
I wasn’t convinced by this approach. The only thing I do is produce hot water only between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. That is usually sufficient for us. Of course, it depends on shower habits. Also, our house and photovoltaic system face southeast, so we get more sun in the morning than in the afternoon.
There are certainly other photovoltaic-heat pump combinations that communicate better and thus achieve a higher self-consumption rate.
Nevertheless, I am very satisfied with the Geisha, especially considering the price of €2500. But you do need to do a lot yourself or invest time to learn about it. Alternatively, having a skilled and cooperative heating installer to support you with such an installation helps a lot.

Yes, that is more wishful thinking. You can optimize the heating periods to some extent and align them with the photovoltaic system, but in the end, it is the lack or low level of sunlight that ruins the plan.

hegi___ schrieb:

There is a "heat pump climate map" where you can check the relevant temperatures.

What’s the problem if the electric heating element only turns on once a year? That’s what it’s there for.

With smart control, you ideally only heat the house at midday when the sun is shining on your photovoltaic system.

You mean "With smart control, you ideally only heat the water at midday when the sun is shining on your photovoltaic system, which you then use to heat as needed during the night," because especially at midday the house should not be heated additionally besides the solar energy.

To me, "smart" always implies controlling everything via the internet on a smartphone or something similar. Or using a smartphone to raise and lower blinds. I usually don’t need or plan to install anything like that. But for using my own photovoltaic electricity with the heat pump, my house doesn’t have to be smart, right? That should be standard, even without smart features?

Oh dear, the marketing and advertising people have done all the work, and now no one really understands what the term "Smart" actually means.

At its core, the concept is quite simple: an intelligent building control system. Possibly as a standalone system for the heat pump, photovoltaic system, and everything related to it.

Smartphones, smart buildings, and remote control of the whole system are essentially different things and only loosely connected.

But yes, a smartphone also has smart resource management built in. It turns off Wi-Fi when not in use or even goes into power-saving mode when the battery is low.

Mycraft schrieb:

Oh dear, the marketing and advertising people have done all the work.

?? correct it