According to a study by the Aachen University of Technology (RWTH), installing a heat pump can be financially profitable after ten to sixteen years. The investment and operating costs for a heat pump including financing were compared with those for a new gas heating.
Calculations were carried out on behalf of the German energy company E.ON using sample homes from the years 2005, 1990 and 1980. The research team assumed that the heat pump would cost approximately 18,000 euros, after deduction of financing; Installation costs for the gas heater were estimated at 15,000 euros, although significantly more operating costs would be incurred.
The most important result: installing a heat pump can be financially profitable after ten to sixteen years. It goes faster if the heat pump is combined with your own photovoltaic installation. According to the calculations, it will take eleven to fourteen years before the benefit in operating costs compensates for the higher initial investment.
Varies depending on use
The differences in economic efficiency depend on the building and the way it is used, i.e. how many people live in it, for example. This assumes buildings without underfloor heating; the situation is more favorable for the heat pump. In principle, there is no building class for which a heat pump is not an option, the research shows.
There were initially no calculations for homes older than 1980. E.ON assumes that the heat pump will pay for itself a little later. According to professor and study author Dirk Müller, the latter have a lifespan of at least twelve years. However, this does not mean that the devices will break after this period; they may need to be repaired or parts may need to be replaced. The study only took into account branded appliances for which spare parts are likely to be available in the future.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
