There are many heating systems. Whether heat pump, district heating, solar thermal energy, pellet heating or fuel cells, the choice is wide and the question is clear: which heating system is right for your new home? The answer to the question depends on the one hand on your lifestyle habits and on the other, of course, on local conditions and the balance between purchase and maintenance costs. Below we compare the different heating systems for you.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS OF A HEATING SYSTEM
Each heating system requires different structural requirements or has specific requirements for the existing infrastructure on site. Above all, district heating is not available everywhere in Germany and is therefore ruled out as a form of heating for many people from the start. The pellet heating system requires space for the boiler, auger and storage of wood pellets.
When it comes to the heat pump, it is important to remember that the outdoor unit, which is only necessary if installed exclusively indoors, must maintain a sufficient distance from neighboring buildings so that problems with new neighbors do not arise later. Solar thermal energy is most productive when the roof surface is inclined at 45° and faces south. Otherwise the collector surface will have to be increased accordingly. Local conditions may lead to the exclusion of one or the other heating system.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPATIBILITY OF THE HEATING SYSTEM
Depending on your perspective, modern heating systems differ in their environmental impact. The operation of a heat pump or solar system is CO2 neutral. However, the overall balance of the heat pump depends on the environmental friendliness of the electricity production. In district heating, CO2 emissions depend on the technology of the respective power plant. There are also high line losses due to central power generation.
The renewable raw material wood is CO2 neutral, since over the course of its life a tree breaks down as much CO2 as it produces when it burns.
INFLUENCE OF HOUSING BEHAVIOR ON THE HEATING SYSTEM
Hand on Heart: How Warm Should It Be in Your Home in Winter? If you appreciate pleasant warmth in all rooms and prefer a room temperature 2 degrees higher than too low, there is something to be said for a wood stove that is more efficient than, for example, a heat pump and does not incur electricity costs for energy needs. Because if your house is not highly thermally insulated or is not even a passive house, you run the risk of needing a relatively large amount of electricity for additional electric heating on cold winter days. If, however, the house is largely empty during the day because the inhabitants are out and about a lot, the energy requirement is inherently lower and the heat pump is also the first choice.
Heat pumps with their low flow temperature are particularly suitable in combination with underfloor heating, but cannot be used as a heating system with radiators. If you appreciate a regular hot bath, you need a heating system that handles hot water quickly and efficiently. This speaks of wood or solar thermal energy with large water storage. Your personal preferences also influence the choice of the right heating system.
ACQUISITION COSTS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
Costs of purchasing a heating system
Regarding the initial investment amount, the acquisition costs of district heating are unbeatable compared to those of heating systems. Furthermore, the technology is sophisticated and reliable.
The purchase costs of an air source heat pump are significantly higher than those of district heating. The heat pump becomes even more expensive if geothermal energy or groundwater is used as an energy source. In this case the costs for the necessary drilling or installation of geothermal collectors are significant.
Only now does pellet heating come into play in terms of initial investment, as the technology is relatively expensive. The most expensive is the fuel cell, which uses the principle of combining heat and electricity. A gas connection is also required for the fuel cell. The system not only produces thermal energy, but also electricity, which can be used at home or sold to the grid operator.
Maintenance costs of a heating system
When it comes to maintenance costs, the picture changes when comparing heating systems. With a fuel cell you even produce your own electricity and have relatively low running costs for gas and maintenance. The maintenance costs of a heat pump depend on the type of use and the technology. Air source heat pumps are less efficient than ground source or water source heat pumps and, depending on the intensity of use, require additional electrical heating, which can lead to high electricity costs.
Wood or pellets as an energy source are cheaper than electricity, so the current energy costs of wood heating are lower. However, the annual maintenance costs of the numerous mechanical parts and the chimney sweep must be taken into account. As regards district heating, there is a dependence on the respective operator with prices that vary regionally.
CONCLUSION ON THE HEATING SYSTEM COMPARISON
Choosing the right heating system therefore depends on the space available, individual needs and the budget available. A higher initial investment can still be worthwhile in the long run if it keeps ongoing energy costs low. Furthermore, acquisition costs can be significantly reduced through public funding. Ask your construction partner, they will be happy to help you find the right heating system for your home.
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