RISING ENERGY COSTS: HEATING METHODS AT A GLANCE

Rising energy costs have led to great uncertainty – for homeowners who want to upgrade their heating system as well as for anyone planning a new build. In the following, we at Victor Investment provide an overview of heating methods that make ecological and economic sense in view of the energy crisis.

Why have energy costs risen so dramatically in the first place?

The energy market has been thrown into severe turmoil by the war in Ukraine. Prices were already on the rise in 2021 – a trend that was further fueled by the conflict. The lack of gas imports from Russia has led to a shortage that has driven up prices, not only for gas but also for other energy sources as a result. Only consumers who heat exclusively with renewable energies, such as solar thermal energy, are not or hardly affected by the energy crisis.

Which heating methods are sustainable and cost-effective in the long term?

If you are building a new home or want to replace your old heating system, you should think as future-oriented as possible – if only because this will significantly increase the value of your property. Below is an overview of efficient and environmentally friendly heating systems far removed from gas and oil.

1. heat pumps

Building owners today often decide to install an energy-efficient heat pump, but this can also be worthwhile for existing buildings, especially if the building is well insulated. The investment costs for a heat pump, including state subsidies, are between 10,000 and 20,000 euros.

2. solar thermal energy

While photovoltaic systems generate electricity, solar thermal systems generate heat. They are often combined with a heat pump, a pellet heating system or a condensing boiler, as sunlight is not consistently available all year round. The environmental balance of a solar thermal system is very good, and the energy costs are also in the lower range. Without a subsidy, you can expect investment costs of 8,000 to 10,000 euros. The potential saving through subsidies is 30 percent.

3. pellet heating

Wood is a renewable raw material – however, costs have also risen significantly here due to the energy crisis. The investment costs for a pellet heating system are between 20,000 and 30,000 euros after deduction of a possible subsidy.

State requirements – nationwide and in Berlin

The legal requirements for heating methods have been summarized in the nationwide Building Energy Act (GEG) since 2020. According to this, only the following heating systems may be installed in new buildings:

• heat pump heating
• Certified district heating
• Biomass heating/wood heating
• fuel cell heating

In any case, the use of renewable energies is mandatory in new buildings. In old buildings, condensing boilers that are more than 30 years old must be replaced.

Need advice?

As you can see: The answer to the question of which heating method is best for you personally depends on many factors. It is therefore best to seek individual advice. Feel free to contact our Victor Investment team with any questions you may have about real estate!