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Record energy prices have become the number one topic as the heating season approaches. 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 thermal energy.
Today, no one doubts that investing in building insulation and quality windows pays off for everyone. However, when it comes to types of heating, the situation is more complex. The development of energy prices is much more turbulent than we would have expected a few years ago. Therefore, in addition to acquisition costs and operating costs, it is also necessary to consider the financial risk level of each type of heating.
Electric or gas boilers are the most common here. People have favoured them mainly due to their maintenance-free nature, relatively low acquisition costs, easy maintenance, and higher ecological standards.
The biggest disadvantage, however, has proven 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 the whole of Europe by surprise.
The solid fuel boiler has long been considered the cheapest way to heat. However, it has its downsides. The main disadvantages include the amount of emissions and other pollutants that solid fuel boilers produce. It is the least environmentally friendly solution, which legislation significantly restricts.
Another disadvantage is the demanding operation, where it is necessary to constantly add fuel to the boiler and store it somewhere. We must not forget the risk of fire or the leakage 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, the prices of solid fuels can significantly increase due to this year's high demand. Therefore, as a more economical solution, you might consider stocking up on fuel in the summer when it is cheaper. It is not possible to say definitively what the costs of this type of heating are and will be in the near future.
Heat pumps share the top spot with solid fuel boilers in the ranking of the most economical types of heating. Many people are put off by the high acquisition cost of heat pumps, but the return on investment is indeed very quick.
Air-to-water heat pumps extract thermal energy from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water in the heating system. In this way, they can produce 3-4 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electrical energy. The advantage of this modern heating is, besides its economic and ecological operation, a relatively low dependence on market energy prices.
Underfloor heating requires a lower temperature since the radiant heat from the floor creates a subjectively higher thermal comfort. On the other hand, it is energy-intensive to frequently turn this type of heating on and off. Therefore, it is particularly worthwhile in permanently inhabited buildings where heating is maintained at a constant temperature.
As you can see, nothing is black and white, and each type of heating has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the solution may be their appropriate combination with regard to the specific house or building.
The table below shows the estimated costs, advantages, and disadvantages of each type of heating for an insulated family house with a floor area of 150 m2.
|
Acquisition Cost |
Annual Costs |
Operation and Maintenance Difficulty |
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 a larger floor area, the higher initial investment is offset by the highest savings. In such a case, it is advisable to heat to a constant, slightly lower temperature and, if necessary, supplement heating in living rooms with popular wood-burning stoves.
At current energy prices, a heat pump is financially worthwhile compared to a boiler within a 10-year horizon. Add to that the benefits of being maintenance-free, highly self-sufficient, safe, and having minimal environmental impact – and it is a clear choice.
Despite 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 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 large and financially demanding construction interventions, insulation and window replacement can reduce heating costs by up to 50%.
Use smart thermostats: Zonal heating control and daily heating schedules can bring you savings of up to 20% on average. An equithermal regulator also automatically adjusts the heating output based on outdoor temperatures, helping you avoid unnecessary overheating in case of sudden weather changes. WiFi thermostats allow you to control heating via mobile or the internet, so you always have perfect control over the temperature in your home and energy consumption.
Ventilate correctly: In winter months, it is recommended to ventilate briefly and intensively, which efficiently replaces the air in the room with fresh air without cooling the walls and floors. However, the ideal is to ventilate using recuperation, which brings outdoor air into the house and heats it using waste (exhaled) air from the room. Recuperation thus ensures a constant supply of fresh and warm air.
When choosing heating, always consult independent experts and do not forget 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 can handle the upcoming heating season without major financial difficulties.
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