Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers regarding heat pumps

The development of regenerative energy for heating purposes from air,
soil, groundwater and other natural heat sources is the task of heat-pump technology. The special advantage of these use of regenerative energy is the all year round, round the clock availability, and its inexhaustible potential:
Heat pumps make, above all, use of solar energy and, partly, also geothermal energy for the purpose of heating and water heating. In this context, the regenerative proportion amounts to 80 %.

As in the case of many regenerative energy uses, many heat pumps need power in order to operate. The power stems from the low voltages power distribution public network and contains an average proportion of 10 % of renewable energies in the Federal Republic of Germany from water, wind power and bioenergy. Heat pumps are already achieving a lot success nowadays in terms of the life cycle assessment. The upcoming modernising of power plant parks and the increased proportion of power generated for renewable energy, lead to a constantly improving efficiency of the
current heat pumps.

No. The power requirement of the heat pumps currently operated in Germany amounts to approximately one thousandth of net current output of the power plants. Even in case of a multiplication of the installed heat pumps, there no need for additional power plant capacities.

Yes. In the framework of national climate protection, many power supply companies offer support programmes in order to diminish investment hurdles in the market. Additionaly, power supply companies offer favourable rates for the operation of heat pumps. These rates result from the fact that heat pumps are set to avoid peak load times and the network use causes minor costs.

Yes. Heat pumps for heatings also assume very efficiently
the function of water heating.

Wood heatings like pellet stoves and split logs cause, locally, considerably more carbon-dioxide and particulate emissions than oil-fired boilers or gas-fired boilers. Heat-pump heatings are locally completely emission-free. Only if not more wood is burned than it is being regrown by means of sustainable utlisation, the carbon-dioxide balance of the wood fuel is levelled and pellet stoves are advantageous. The energy expenditure for the production, transport, pumping and hoisting devices, however, has to be taken into consideration in addition to this. As far as wood heatings are concerned the storage, feed and maintenance are elaborate, an aspect which can be completely omitted in the case of heat pumps.

Yes. The mere investment costs for a heat pump are higher in comparison with an oil-fired boiler or a gas-fired boiler. However, an investment cost-reducing element is the fact that neither a chimney nor a gas exhaust are necessary, and that in case of heating oil no fuels have to be financed in advance and stored. As far as the consumption and operating costs are concerned, the heat pump has a clear competetitive advantage. Thus the purchase of a
heat pumpt pays off.

Yes. A heat pump which makes use of groundwater or soil as heat source is usable independently from the outside temperature.

Yes. For the use of heat pumps the flow temperature of the heating systems is decisive. New and younger buildings are well suited for the use of a heat pump. In the case of the modernisation of old buildings the flow temperature may be reduced by insulating measures or an enlarged heating surface. As a result of this, the heat pump may provide low temperature heat for radiator or surface heating. As in the case of every modernisation of a heating system, the plant engineers should always adjust the design adequately to the building.