ᐅ Comparison of Heating Electricity Costs for Air-to-Water Heat Pumps from Different Providers
Created on: 29 Sep 2015 20:50
D
DJCOON
Hello,
Our Viessmann Vitocal 200 has now been running for almost 5 weeks. The screed drying program is finished, and we used 1270 kWh for that. But that’s just an aside.
Last Thursday, the local electricity provider and supplier came by to offer contracts for household electricity and heating electricity. We didn’t sign anything because we told them we first want to review the contracts. We plan to compare providers at home. Generally, I don’t mind staying with the local supplier, but the price is not right. Since both electricity types are currently on the basic supply tariff, I don’t need to act immediately.
Now my question to you: who else has already switched their electricity provider for their heat pump, and what price was agreed upon? My post is only about heating electricity, and I kindly ask only those to respond who have actually made such a switch or have experience with it.
Regards and thanks
Martin
Our Viessmann Vitocal 200 has now been running for almost 5 weeks. The screed drying program is finished, and we used 1270 kWh for that. But that’s just an aside.
Last Thursday, the local electricity provider and supplier came by to offer contracts for household electricity and heating electricity. We didn’t sign anything because we told them we first want to review the contracts. We plan to compare providers at home. Generally, I don’t mind staying with the local supplier, but the price is not right. Since both electricity types are currently on the basic supply tariff, I don’t need to act immediately.
Now my question to you: who else has already switched their electricity provider for their heat pump, and what price was agreed upon? My post is only about heating electricity, and I kindly ask only those to respond who have actually made such a switch or have experience with it.
Regards and thanks
Martin
My comparisons have also shown that having a separate meter for the heat pump is not cost-effective.
For example, you can enter the annual cost for 7,000 kWh (23,000,000 BTU) of household electricity:
In my case, €1519 per year.
Or for 3,000 kWh (10,200,000 BTU) household usage plus 4,000 kWh (13,600,000 BTU) heat pump:
€885 + €757 = €1642 per year.
Even with 3,000 kWh (10,200,000 BTU) plus 5,000 kWh (17,000,000 BTU), it doesn’t improve much:
Combined: €1721
Separate: €885 + €935 = €1820
Even with a huge 7,000 kWh (23,800,000 BTU) heating electricity demand (3,000 + 7,000), the break-even point is not reached yet:
Combined: €2125
Separate: €885 + €1293 = €2178
The meter and installation also cost money. Additionally, the heat pump needs to be sized larger due to peak load restrictions.
For example, you can enter the annual cost for 7,000 kWh (23,000,000 BTU) of household electricity:
In my case, €1519 per year.
Or for 3,000 kWh (10,200,000 BTU) household usage plus 4,000 kWh (13,600,000 BTU) heat pump:
€885 + €757 = €1642 per year.
Even with 3,000 kWh (10,200,000 BTU) plus 5,000 kWh (17,000,000 BTU), it doesn’t improve much:
Combined: €1721
Separate: €885 + €935 = €1820
Even with a huge 7,000 kWh (23,800,000 BTU) heating electricity demand (3,000 + 7,000), the break-even point is not reached yet:
Combined: €2125
Separate: €885 + €1293 = €2178
The meter and installation also cost money. Additionally, the heat pump needs to be sized larger due to peak load restrictions.
I find that strange since my heat pump tariff is 5°C (9°F) cheaper and already breaks even at 2000 kWh. Besides, I already have a small heat pump (5.8 kW maximum output); I wouldn’t go smaller because of the longer time needed to heat water anyway, and I didn’t need a larger one due to cut-off times (at least in my building project). However, I would definitely recommend (based on the suggestion here in the forum) purchasing a sub-meter to accurately measure the actual heating and water electricity consumption, rather than relying on the “some” number the machine displays (so the installation and meter costs should be considered neutral either way).
I’m joining the discussion here. We are still considering whether to install a separate electricity meter for the heat pump.
Is it true that you need a dedicated meter to use a heat pump tariff? And that this meter also comes with a fixed monthly fee? Earlier, someone mentioned that “sub-meters” are free—what exactly does that mean?
Is it true that you need a dedicated meter to use a heat pump tariff? And that this meter also comes with a fixed monthly fee? Earlier, someone mentioned that “sub-meters” are free—what exactly does that mean?
S
Sebastian791 Oct 2015 09:19Yes, you need to have two and pay two fees – although there are some providers who handle this differently, usually it simply isn’t worth it.
A sub-meter is only for your personal use to monitor how much electricity the heat pump consumes. The difference between the sub-meter and the main meter will then be your household electricity usage. I regret now that we didn’t install a sub-meter right from the start. At the moment, I can only estimate how much electricity the heating system uses since our heating does not display its electricity consumption. I am still considering whether to retrofit a sub-meter.
With this setup, you obviously cannot choose a heat pump tariff, but on the other hand, you have the advantage that the heat pump can operate when it makes sense, rather than when the provider dictates.
With this setup, you obviously cannot choose a heat pump tariff, but on the other hand, you have the advantage that the heat pump can operate when it makes sense, rather than when the provider dictates.
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