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With record energy prices and the approaching heating season, saving on heating costs has become the number one topic. Households, businesses, and public institutions are considering all options to save on heating. Take a look at our comparison of different types of heating and tips on how you can significantly save on heating energy.
Today, no one doubts that investing in building insulation and quality windows pays off for everyone. However, the situation with types of heating is more complicated. The development of energy prices is much more turbulent than we would have expected a few years ago. Therefore, in addition to acquisition and operating costs, it is necessary to consider the degree of financial risk of different types of heating.
Electric or gas boilers are the most common in our country. People have favored them mainly due to their maintenance-free nature, relatively low acquisition costs, simple maintenance, and higher environmental standards.
However, the biggest disadvantage has turned out to be the high dependence of gas and electricity prices on the current geopolitical situation. Even with the current capping of energy prices, households will pay on average 50-100% more for electricity and gas than last year.
Record energy prices have taken all of Europe by surprise.
Long-term, the cheapest way of heating is considered to be a solid fuel boiler. However, it has its downsides. Among the major disadvantages are the amount of fumes and other polluting substances that solid fuel boilers produce. Thus, it is the least ecological solution, which legislation significantly limits.
Another disadvantage is demanding operation, where it is necessary to continuously feed the boiler and also store the fuel somewhere. We must not overlook the risk of fire or the escape of toxic carbon monoxide.
Consumption and operating costs depend on the age of the boiler and the quality of the wood or other solid fuel (coal, briquettes, pellets, etc.). Moreover, prices of solid fuels can still significantly increase considering this year's high demand. Therefore, as a more economical solution, you may consider stocking up on fuel in the summer when it is cheaper. It is not straightforward to determine the current and future costs of this type of heating.
Heat pumps share the top spot in the ranking of the most economical types of heating with solid fuel boilers. Many people are deterred by the high initial cost of heat pumps, but the return on investment is indeed very fast.
Air-to-water heat pumps extract thermal energy from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water in the heating system. This way, they can produce 3-4 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electrical energy used. The advantage of this modern heating is its relatively low dependence on market energy prices, in addition to being economical and environmentally friendly.
Underfloor heating works with a lower temperature, as radiant heat from the floor creates a subjectively higher thermal comfort. On the other hand, frequently turning this type of heating on and off is energy-intensive. Therefore, it is especially advantageous in permanently occupied buildings where heating is constant.
As you can see, nothing is black and white, and each type of heating has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, a suitable combination of them, considering the specific house or building, can be the solution.
In the table, we present the estimated costs, advantages, and disadvantages of each type of heating in the case of an insulated house with a floor area of 150 m2.
| Purchase Price | Annual Costs | Complexity of Operation and Maintenance | Environmental Impact | Risk of Rising Prices | Safety | |
| Solid Fuel Boiler | 50,000 -100,000 CZK | 20,000 CZK | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Electric or Gas Boiler | 20,000 – 40,000 CZK | 40,000 CZK | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
| Air-to-Water Heat Pump | 200,000 CZK | 20,000 CZK | Minimal | Minimal | Low | High |
For our model house, the optimal solution would be an air-to-water heat pump combined with underfloor heating. In properties with larger floor areas, the higher initial investment is offset by the highest savings. In such cases, it is advisable to heat at a constant, slightly lower temperature and, if necessary, provide additional heating in living rooms with, for example, popular wood-burning stoves.
Given the current energy prices, a heat pump compared to a boiler is financially beneficial within a 10-year horizon. Add to this the advantages of maintenance-free operation, high self-sufficiency, safety, and minimal environmental impact – and it becomes a clear choice.
Even with the energy crisis, it is possible to heat cheaply and ecologically.
Even with the most economical type of heating, it is necessary to know how to work correctly with it to minimize the energy losses of the building.
Minimize Heat Loss: Invest in insulated facades and roofs, as well as quality windows and doors. Although these are significant and financially demanding construction interventions, insulation and window replacement can reduce heating costs by up to 50%.
Use smart thermostats: Zone heating regulation and daily heating modes can save an average of up to 20%. An equithermal controller additionally automatically adjusts heating output based on outdoor temperatures, avoiding unnecessary overheating in case of sudden weather changes. WiFi thermostats allow you to control heating via mobile or the internet, giving you perfect control over the temperature in your home and energy consumption.
Ventilate Properly: In the winter months, it is recommended to ventilate briefly and intensively, efficiently exchanging air in the room for fresh air without cooling down the walls and floors. However, the ideal solution is ventilation through recovery, which brings outdoor air into the house and warms it using waste (exhaled) air from the room. Recovery thus ensures a constant supply of fresh and warm air.
When choosing heating, always consult with independent experts and remember to consider the dramatic changes that have occurred and may still occur in the energy market. Follow the basic rules of economical heating system operation and you will see that you will manage the upcoming heating season without major financial difficulties.
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