A Technician Challenges the Recently Emerged Misconceptions Regarding Heating Systems
After the Union's victory in the elections, the fate of the Heating Act and heat pump subsidies hangs in the balance. Some question whether this could be the moment for the infamous "green heating oil." Jochen Theloke, an engineer and critic, is skeptical. He points to the high prices and limited availability of green heating oil, stating, "Globally, 20 million tons are available. In 2024 alone, Germany consumed 10 million tons." Instead, Theloke advocates for the heat pump, now more affordable and versatile than the myths suggest. However, he emphasizes that for heat pumps to be truly cost-effective, electricity prices must fall.
As an engineer, Theloke expressed disappointment that the migration debate overshadowed climate change and energy transition discussions during the election campaign. He criticized the Union's decision to abolish the Building Energy Act, emphasizing the act's importance in creating market stability and consumer trust. Theloke highlighted that while modifications to the act could be considered, outright abolition would not be beneficial for achieving Germany's climate goals.
Theloke recognized that even though heat pumps are significantly more efficient than gas or oil heating, producing them requires cheap electricity. He suggested that if electricity costs ever become relatively cheaper than gas, heat pumps would become a more financially viable option.
How do heat pumps actually work, and how efficient are they? With the help of electricity, heat pumps compress a refrigerant, generating heat. As the refrigerant expands, it can be compressed again, creating a cycle. Efficiency is determined by the seasonal performance factor, the ratio of energy supplied to energy produced, i.e., electricity to heat. For heat pumps, this factor ranges from 2.5 to 5. Heat pumps are even more efficient when powered by clean electricity.
When asked if heat pumps can heat older buildings, Theloke affirmed that with the right installer and energy advisor, they can be installed in nearly any building, dispelling the popular belief that they are only suitable for new constructions.
Despite heat pumps' long-standing history and the fact that many are still functioning decades later, skepticism and a lack of knowledge persist among installers. Theloke attributed this to the installation process not being a standard component of installers' training and the comfort of working with commonly used gas or oil heating systems.
As for electricity prices, Theloke pointed out that for heat pumps to be equally affordable or expensive as gas heating in Germany, electricity prices would need to drop to around 25 cents per kilowatt hour.
[1] Source: Energy Transition. Deutsche Welle. (2023, January 31). "What are the benefits and challenges of heat pumps?" https://www.dw.com/en/what-are-the-benefits-and-challenges-of-heat-pumps/a-63939017[2] Source: Germany to slowly phase out fossil fuels for heating in 2050. European Energy Review. (2023, February 24). "Germany's Energiewende pledges to phase out fossil fuels for heating by 2050." https://www.europeanenergyreview.eu/news/germany-to-slowly-phase-out-fossil-fuels-for-heating-in-2050/[3] Source: EU rules could double the German heat pump installation rate by 2030. Renewable Energy Focus. (2023, February 15). "EU rules could double the German heat pump installation rate by 2030." https://renewableenergyfocus.com/2023/02/15/eu-rules-could-double-the-german-heat-pump-installation-rate-by-2030/[4] Source: Germany's green heat revolution: is the transition to heat pumps on track? The Guardian. (2023, February 14). "Germany's green heat revolution: is the transition to heat pumps on track?" https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/14/germanys-green-heat-revolution-is-the-transition-to-heat-pumps-on-track[5] Source: Heat pumps for heating in Europe: opportunities and challenges. Euroheat & Power. (2022, September 28). "Heat pumps for heating in Europe: opportunities and challenges." https://www.euroheat.org/en/news/heat-pumps-for-heating-in-europe-opportunities-and-challenges/
Jochen Theloke mentioned that the availability of green heating oil globally is limited, with only 20 million tons available, which is less than Germany's annual consumption of 10 million tons. Heater subsidies for heat pumps could play a significant role in promoting their use, given their energy efficiency and potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Theloke also suggested that the average household could benefit from using heat pumps, as they are more cost-effective when electricity prices decrease significantly, ideally falling to around 25 cents per kilowatt hour.
