Hello,
we also have a gas connection on our plot that we can have installed for €2,000.
We are currently considering which option is better. We plan to build a single-family house with 130sqm (1,400 sq ft) of living space and a full basement, designed as a KfW55 house. A photovoltaic system is also planned, intended to cover heating and general electricity consumption. We are a family of three (2 adults and 1 child).
No matter how we search, we can’t really find a way to compare the costs and benefits. What are your experiences? Which is better, more efficient, more cost-effective in the long run, and easier to maintain: a gas heating system or an air-to-water heat pump?
Thank you very much in advance.
we also have a gas connection on our plot that we can have installed for €2,000.
We are currently considering which option is better. We plan to build a single-family house with 130sqm (1,400 sq ft) of living space and a full basement, designed as a KfW55 house. A photovoltaic system is also planned, intended to cover heating and general electricity consumption. We are a family of three (2 adults and 1 child).
No matter how we search, we can’t really find a way to compare the costs and benefits. What are your experiences? Which is better, more efficient, more cost-effective in the long run, and easier to maintain: a gas heating system or an air-to-water heat pump?
Thank you very much in advance.
H
hausbauer2 Jan 2020 09:51michert schrieb:
Are you sure? Isn't it enough to just install one of the listed heat pumps?Yes, sure. No, it’s not enough.H
hampshire2 Jan 2020 09:52Preserving liquidity: Gas heating
TCO: More likely a heat pump – depends on assumptions (energy carrier prices, service life, maintenance...)
Environmental protection: Gas only if non-fossil, electricity only if renewable, electricity is easier to source sustainably – therefore heat pump
TCO: More likely a heat pump – depends on assumptions (energy carrier prices, service life, maintenance...)
Environmental protection: Gas only if non-fossil, electricity only if renewable, electricity is easier to source sustainably – therefore heat pump
B
boxandroof2 Jan 2020 10:14michert schrieb:
Are you sure? Isn’t it enough to just install one of the listed heat pumps? BAFA: Until now, it was necessary to provide proof on paper. The location in Germany and the share of hot water usage affect the calculation. Calculating an annual performance factor of 4.5 with an air-to-water heat pump is not easy, but also not impossible. The heat pump must be listed to be eligible for the calculation at all. Using a horizontal ground loop or geothermal energy definitely qualifies for the subsidy.
I doubt that the calculation now shifts in favor of the heat pump solely because of the subsidy. The BAFA subsidy is not as well known as the KfW loans and is rarely promoted by providers due to lack of interest in doing so. You need to be aware of this and take care of the process yourself.
In addition to the total cost of ownership: the purchase price of the heat pump likely has the greatest impact on the calculation. Margins vary widely. Whether the heat pump pays off over time depends largely on the performance factor and the quality of the planning for the heating surfaces and hydraulics. It is quite possible that both the initial investment and operating costs of the heat pump are higher than those of gas. That does not have to be the case (see Post #3).
L
ludwig88sta4 Jan 2020 13:19Currently, there is a lot happening regarding heat pumps. I recently read an article in WeLTplus stating that heat pumps might become the new hazardous waste in a few years. Additionally, in winter—if planning is poor and demand is high—heating with electricity can become very expensive (especially for homeowners who blindly trust the general contractor, since they often don’t care about the future electricity consumption during winter).
On the other hand, the EGG surcharge for electricity used by heat pumps is expected to be eliminated soon, which could mean that special electricity tariffs for heat pumps will be available, making their electricity significantly cheaper than the current standard rates, as these tariffs would not include the Renewable Energy Sources Act surcharge.
In the coming years, a lot will certainly change. I wouldn’t dare to predict exactly in which direction. I see it similarly to electric vehicles. It’s not possible to say for sure whether electric cars will prevail (even though our government, overwhelmed by the energy transition, acts as if this is guaranteed). Regarding hydrogen, it might also play a major role in energy supply for single-family homes in the next few years (for example, as seasonal electricity storage). But since the future is uncertain and anything is just a gamble that might not pay off, I will probably choose a gas boiler (which has worked well and economically for decades, and there could also be developments in terms of less environmentally harmful gas). Sure, gas prices could also soar—just like electricity prices—but no one here really knows.
Of course, it’s important to plan accordingly. If heat pumps become the absolute number one choice in 10 to 15 years and not—as the article suggests—the new hazardous waste that consumes a lot of electricity during winter, then you should be able to install one (with low supply temperatures for underfloor heating and efficient heating circuits under 100 m (330 feet), etc.). Until then, the gas boiler, with its low initial costs, will definitely have served its purpose well!
On the other hand, the EGG surcharge for electricity used by heat pumps is expected to be eliminated soon, which could mean that special electricity tariffs for heat pumps will be available, making their electricity significantly cheaper than the current standard rates, as these tariffs would not include the Renewable Energy Sources Act surcharge.
In the coming years, a lot will certainly change. I wouldn’t dare to predict exactly in which direction. I see it similarly to electric vehicles. It’s not possible to say for sure whether electric cars will prevail (even though our government, overwhelmed by the energy transition, acts as if this is guaranteed). Regarding hydrogen, it might also play a major role in energy supply for single-family homes in the next few years (for example, as seasonal electricity storage). But since the future is uncertain and anything is just a gamble that might not pay off, I will probably choose a gas boiler (which has worked well and economically for decades, and there could also be developments in terms of less environmentally harmful gas). Sure, gas prices could also soar—just like electricity prices—but no one here really knows.
Of course, it’s important to plan accordingly. If heat pumps become the absolute number one choice in 10 to 15 years and not—as the article suggests—the new hazardous waste that consumes a lot of electricity during winter, then you should be able to install one (with low supply temperatures for underfloor heating and efficient heating circuits under 100 m (330 feet), etc.). Until then, the gas boiler, with its low initial costs, will definitely have served its purpose well!