How much does heat pump heating cost?

Heat pump – how much does it cost? When searching for information on this topic, we will certainly receive more questions than answers. Where do we live? How big is our house? What type of heat pump will we choose? The costs of installing and operating such a system will vary depending on many individual characteristics of the building, plot, or devices used. However, it is possible to estimate the expenses for this eco-friendly heating source. We describe the basic types of heat pumps, the purchase prices of individual models, and the factors affecting installation costs, as well as tips on what to pay attention to when planning such an investment.

Heat pumps cost and basic information – what are these devices?

Just a few years ago, heat pumps were really efficient only in warmer climates. However, with the development of technology, these systems have also made their way into homes in countries where winter is characterized by frost. These devices absorb heat from the environment (air, ground, or groundwater), heat it in a specially designed circuit using a refrigerant and electricity (although gas or oil models are also available), and then transfer the heat to the installation located in the house.

Despite their name, heat pumps can do much more than just heat buildings. They can also be used to heat domestic hot water. Additionally, many of them have a cooling option for indoor spaces, which is useful in summer. Therefore, many homeowners choose, among others, air heat pumps. Prices, compared to other sources of heating and air conditioning, often favor the described devices.

Heat pump price – does it depend on the type of model?

Depending on the needs and capabilities of the investor, there are three main types of heat pumps to choose from. These are: air heat pumps, ground heat pumps, and water heat pumps. They differ not only in installation method or efficiency but also in price. We will briefly describe the basic features of each type of device.

Air heat pump costs – what is worth knowing?

Until recently, air heat pumps were the most popular in many countries. They are distinguished primarily by the most attractive purchase price of the device itself, uncomplicated installation, and ease of use. However, they have one significant drawback – they are not always able to provide thermal comfort during frosts. Therefore, they often require the use of an additional heating source in the building, such as a gas boiler, which will serve during the coldest days of the year, or an electric heater in the heat pump that will heat the refrigerant on cooler days. The costs of heating with an air heat pump are low, but one must also account for the additional heat source in the overall calculation.

Ground heat pumps – what characterizes them?

The second type of device mentioned is the ground heat pump. The cost of installing such a system is higher than that of air models because it uses heat from the ground to heat the building, which requires the installation of special exchangers on the plot. However, it should be emphasized that models of this type are the most efficient. Their installation should be planned before building the house, as investment costs may be related to the available space on the plot and the ground conditions. In the case of these pumps, there is no need to use additional heat sources.

Water heat pumps – how do they work?

Water-water heat pumps utilize hydrothermal energy, which is most often drawn from groundwater, but can also come from rivers, ponds, or even sewage. Such a heat pump has very low operating costs because it is characterized by very high efficiency. However, it is not without its drawbacks. The main disadvantages include the high installation cost of the entire system (often requiring drilling to depths of several dozen meters), the risk of interruptions in the operation of the device caused by changes in the natural environment, and in some cases, the need to install an additional exchanger. Water heat pumps can be the sole source of heating for a building – their efficiency is not affected by low temperatures.

Heat pump prices – what affects them?

The final cost of installing and operating a heat pump varies significantly depending on the type of unit, its efficiency level, and several other factors. For a single-family home, one can pay from 12,000 to even 75,000 PLN for the device alone. Labor costs and additional components must also be added to this. Let's take a look at some of the most important factors affecting how much a heat pump costs.

– efficiency – for a heat pump to effectively heat a home, it must be matched to the building's area. It is obvious that a large house will require a larger, more efficient unit. The effectiveness of the building's thermal insulation is also important. For example, a heat pump with a power of 7 kW will work well in a modern, energy-efficient house of about 150 m², but it will be simply too weak for a larger, older building without adequate insulation. When choosing heat pumps, attention should also be paid to the efficiency coefficients COP, SCOP, and SPF. The higher they are, the less electrical energy is needed to obtain heat, which reduces operating costs;

– brand – the cost of heat pumps will also vary depending on the manufacturer of the device. When choosing the right unit, it is worth paying attention to reviews about the company, warranty, and additional conveniences. It should be remembered that price should not be the only criterion for choosing a heat pump;

– type of device – this refers to the types of units discussed earlier. The operating costs of an air heat pump will likely be higher than those of ground models, but its installation will be cheaper;

– materials and labor – most often, help from specialists will be needed for installation – even for a device like an air heat pump. The price of the service varies depending on the level of complexity of the work (whether they are being done in a newly constructed building or an already finished one), the location of the investment, and the materials used. It is worth checking several offers from the region and negotiating quotes.

Check how to save heat in your home.

Heat pump what is the cost of heating in 2022?

We have already explained how much one should roughly pay for the device itself and what affects the price of a heat pump. It is an investment where one can save a lot on certain elements and quickly achieve satisfactory returns. However, one must also consider the operational costs of heating with an air heat pump. These depend on electricity prices and the solutions applied in a given building, e.g., photovoltaic panels.

The second half of 2022 brings great uncertainty in the electricity price market, making it difficult to accurately determine the final cost of heating a building with a heat pump. However, there is nothing to prevent us from using data from recent months. Assuming that for 1 kWh in the G11 tariff, one has to pay an average of about 0.70 PLN and considering a house with an area of 100 m², basic calculations can be made.

Let's assume that the building has very good thermal insulation and an energy demand of about 60 kWh/m² per year, and the average efficiency of the air heat pump, SPF, is 3, which means that to produce 3 kWh of energy, only 1 kWh of electricity will be used. In this case, the costs of heating with an air heat pump will amount to about 1600 PLN per year.

There are many calculators available online that will perform all calculations automatically. However, it should be remembered that the final costs largely depend on the dynamically changing electricity prices. This may make the heat pump – installation and operating costs – an unattractive choice for some investors. The demand for devices, which drives up their prices, also becomes a problem.

Read more about modern sources of heat in a single-family home.