When winter arrives, the choice of heating system becomes crucial not only for your wallet, but also for the environment. THE’Technical University of Munich has developed a study to understand which is really the most convenient, analyzing both the economic costs and the environmental impact.
The team of German researchers analyzed 13 different heating systems using a typical two-story house as the basis for simulations. Each system was subjected to assessments that combined environmental and economic performance, adopting tools such aslife cycle analysis (LCV) for the environmental impact and the net present value (NPV) for economic sustainability.
The goal? Identify the most efficient solutions in a context that takes into account fluctuating energy prices and upfront cost scenarios, balancing environmental needs and daily practices. The technologies analyzed include heat pumps, gas boilers and pellet systems.
The results of the study
Among the 13 systems analyzed, air-water heat pumps, with or without photovoltaic, emerge as the most convenient in terms of operating costs. However, when it comes to eco-efficiency, heat pumps combined with photovoltaics and wood gasification boilers prove superior. Pellets with solar thermal and ice storage systems, however, rank last in terms of eco-efficiency.
The choice of the cheapest heating system depends heavily on factors such as energy prices and initial investment assumptions. However, the study highlights that heating systems based on heat pumps and gas remain leaders in overall efficiency.
