We choose which house heating system is more profitable, you can say by calculating the heat loss of a private house

After we have determined how much energy we need by calculating the heat loss of a private house, to ensure the necessary comfort, we can proceed with the choice of systems for heating, hot water, ventilation and domestic needs.

In order to make an informed decision, you need to know what type of energy we will use.

What options are there:

1. Electricity for all needs

2. Gas for heating and hot water, an electrician for lighting and domestic needs.

3.  Solid fuel boiler for heating, electrics for domestic use and hot water

4.   A solid fuel boiler for heating and hot water in winter, a solar system for hot water in summer, a solar power station for domestic use and a diesel generator as an emergency source (autonomous house)

It is possible to evaluate which system is more profitable to use after we find out how much it costs to connect the electric power of the required capacity, gas to the site or cost, storage and delivery of firewood or pellets for heating with a solid fuel boiler.

If we are talking about the cost of heating, depending on the heat source, in Ukraine the cost of 1 kW of heat received from the power grid (day + night tariff) is close to the cost of 1 kW of heat received during gas combustion (taking into account the efficiency of the boiler). The cost of heating with wood is lower than No.

Firewood and any other solid fuel need to be stored, unloaded somewhere, the boiler serviced, and so on. Therefore, when comparing, you must evaluate your personal time. (for this, take your personal income for the month and divide it by 372 (the number of day hours we spend per month).

For the operation of a solid fuel boiler, you need to spend at least a couple of hours a week throughout the heating period. It is for this reason that in summer it is more profitable to use electricity to get hot water.

As for the choice of the heat source in the premises of the house, there is not much difference in the operation of the house which is heated by a warm floor, radiators or convectors. Indeed, in any case, we need to compensate for the heat loss that is in the house. Therefore, the choice and design of a heating system is a question related more to design, personal preferences and the laws of hydraulics than to economic factors.

But I note that the surface heating system of the house (warm floors and warm walls) is the most versatile when connected to different sources of thermal energy. But there are nuances, because the heating system for a country house is one thing and for a house of permanent residence is another.

We make a full-scale comparison of different sources when designing an energy-efficient house, and then when we do an energy audit of the project before the start of construction work, and even better before the development of the structural part.

But there is one thing. Underfloor heating and parquet are usually not friendly with each other. Heat pumps and the radiator system are also poorly combined. And floor convectors can make noise.

And the cost of these solutions can be completely different wallet.

What is the way out?

Collect all the data and make an informed decision, not only throughout the house but also in each room.

When calculating the heating system with a financial assessment of the cost of its operation, the following table appears:

In it, we compare what is more profitable to use both at the moment and in the future for 15 and 25 years, including the difference in the cost of equipment.

The result of such an analysis can vary greatly depending on the house itself, source data, number of inhabitants, and so on.

After such work, you can make the choice of a heating system completely consciously.

We choose a home heating system by calculating the heat loss of a private house under Passive House, see here

Read all about calculating heat losses and energy efficiency of houses here.