Is heating with electricity sustainable? The new heating technologies at a glance
Fossil fuels such as oil have had their day, and in a few years gas will also hit the mark. The basic energy values of our society have changed. While heating with electricity was considered wasteful decades ago, new aspects have changed the perspective. It is ideal if the electricity for heating is generated from the own photovoltaic system or at least green electricity is obtained. This is the only way to make electricity heating sustainable, and with heat pumps.
Heating with electricity: new heating technologies
Professor Norbert Fisch, head of the Institute for Building and Solar Technology at the Technical University of Braunschweig, believes that electricity will be one of the main heating technologies. Photovoltaics and wind energy pump green electricity into the systems. Electric heating can be made even more efficient with electric heat pump systems. The CO2 price expected from 2021 will further reduce heating with green electricity.
Heating with electricity: heat pump systems create sustainable efficiency
These systems use the heat naturally contained in the air and in the earth and pump it into the heating system via a refrigerant. This evaporates and then flows into an electricity-operated compressor. The compressor increases pressure and temperature. The energy absorbed in this way is transferred to the heating system by the refrigerant. This well-established technology is already being used in 30% of all new buildings. Such a heat pump can reduce the power consumption of an electric heater by two thirds. When purchasing electricity, it is worth making an intensive comparison of the suppliers. If you can prove that the heating circuit has a separate power supply with your own measuring device, you will receive particularly inexpensive heating power.
Heating with electricity: infrared heating is pleasant
The infrared heating is based on the processing of electricity and generates cozy warmth. Here, large areas on walls, ceilings or floors are heated by installing electrically conductive plates. The radiant heat from the panels literally gets under the skin. These heating systems are very pleasant and efficient, but the heating only works directly on the surfaces equipped in this way.
What is electric storage heating?
These radiators collect the generated heat and transfer it to the room to be heated with a time delay. Some electricity suppliers offer particularly cheap electricity at night, which can then be used for daytime heating. Smart systems take weather data and space requirements into account when it comes to the amount of electricity to be stored, thus optimizing costs. Without smart systems, it is difficult to estimate the amount to be stored. Instantaneous water heaters supply the warm water. Great suppliers deliver all systems from a single source.
Heating with electricity: underfloor heating
The underfloor heating allows an optimal heat supply. These electrical heaters are installed high up in the floor and can heat the room faster than traditional water-bearing systems. The power consumption is high.
Heating with electricity: radiators and convectors
These electric radiators are plugged directly into the socket. The efficiency is high, but so are the costs when using it as sole heating. The heat given off has a beneficial effect. Caution should be exercised when using convectors with a fan, as these fans can make noises. Fan heaters heat up rooms very quickly and consume a lot of electricity.
State funding
The state allocates substantial subsidies for innovative technologies such as heat pumps, smart homes and photovoltaics. This is intended to support the energy transition with the exit from coal and nuclear energy. These are from the Reconstruction Credit Institute awarded to companies and private individuals. Energy-related renovations in old buildings are also eligible. With systems for combined heat and power, homeowners can generate electricity when they heat. These small block-type thermal power stations are also funded