ᐅ Heat pump on a separate meter or combined with household electricity

We researched how much cheaper electricity for the heat pump would be compared to regular electricity, and the savings did not outweigh the basic fee for a second meter. When our electrician then mentioned that it would be possible to install a second meter later if needed, we decided against having a separate heat pump meter. Since we use photovoltaic panels, we now have a bidirectional electricity meter. However, we cannot get electricity from just any provider because some companies exclude heat pumps in their terms and conditions. For example, Stromio does allow it.

We also decided against having a separate electricity meter for the heat pump. With the energy providers available to us, it wouldn’t have been worthwhile. You might want to search the forum, as this topic has been discussed before. There was only one electricity provider for heat pumps without a basic charge, where a separate meter would make sense. However, this provider does not operate nationwide in Germany.

However, you need to make sure that your electricity provider allows heat pumps in their terms and conditions. For example, Stromio prohibits the use of electricity for heating purposes. Strictly speaking, this also includes modern heat pumps. Originally, this rule was created in different times and under different load conditions.

Whether this makes sense or not is debatable, but legally it is indeed not allowed, even though a vacuum cleaner or some hair dryers consume more power than a new 8 kW (8.5 hp) heat pump.

So always consider the risks of using the wrong tariff.

Below 2,500 kWh (2,750 kWh) consumption, a second meter is usually pointless, because the savings are always offset by the additional costs of the second meter.

Depending on the network operator, you might have a choice. For example, mine would allow it.

With electricity rates (currently), I could save a little with a separate meter (household 19.3 cents + grid fee, heat pump 19.0 cents without grid fee).

The actual problem is that many providers exclude heat pumps from their regular electricity tariffs, as tox already mentioned. This makes switching providers more difficult, and the options are limited.

I'm still torn, mainly because of blackout periods. I fear that power grids will become less stable, and there will be more frequent shutdowns.

The discussion recently also came up in the green forum – I’m using a budget provider, and honestly, I don’t really care about their terms and conditions. If anything, they can just terminate the contract – that’s what their terms and conditions say. Help, I’m scared

I connected everything to one meter, but with a submeter each for the heat pump including the control unit, and another one for the heating element, which can then also be switched off separately in a “hard” way.

And of course, this also means no restricted time periods…

Sebastian79 schrieb:
The discussion recently came up in the green forum as well..

Yeah, that was me.

I took a closer look at the five cheapest providers on Verivox.
For example, extra and maingau allow it.
Strogon, Grünwelt, and Stromio do not.

But Stromio is basically on my lifelong boycott list. They once just didn’t process a timely contract cancellation and didn’t release the connection. The new provider couldn’t access it, then it defaulted to the basic supply, etc. Really frustrating! They just brushed me off with, “You can file a written complaint…”