Heating system – which is the right one for you?

.The benefits include technology that has been tried and tested over decades, which uses gas particularly efficiently thanks to condensing technology and the small footprint. Wall mounted gas boilers are particularly compact. This makes the heating system ideal for detached houses without a cellar or boiler room, but also for individual flats in apartment buildings. It is also important to know when making your decision: despite finite gas reserves, gas condensing technology has a future thanks to biogas and the possible admixture of hydrogen. In addition, Viessmann heating systems can be combined with heat generators based on renewable energies to create hybrid systems.        

Heating with gas – a sensible decision when…

• You want a heating system with proven condensing technology for fossil fuels
• You only have limited space available for the technology
• You already have a gas connection or a liquid gas tank
• You want a modern heating system with a good price-performance ratio
• You want to have the option of being able to combine with renewable energies

A heat pump uses energy stored in the air, ground or water for heating. This is efficient and climate-friendly. And since the heat sources can be accessed in different ways, this type of heating is suitable for almost every type of building. If operating a ground source heat pump is out of the question due to the geographical location or a lack of space, an air source heat pump is a viable alternative. A very interesting point: Viessmann heating systems can also be used for cooling in summer. But it is important to know that, for technical reasons, heat pumps work efficiently primarily in combination with area heating systems. This should be considered especially when modernising existing heating systems. Your plans must also include sufficient space for the buffer cylinder required for storing heat. Subsides can help lower the higher costs for heating and installation.

Heating with the heat pump –– a sensible decision when…

• You want to use the freely available energy of the environment for heating
• You have a property with possibilities for geothermal collectors, probes or installation areas for an air source heat pump
• You also want to use your heating for cooling in summer
• You have underfloor heating or generously sized heating surfaces
• You have enough space in the house for a buffer cylinder with a capacity of up to 1000  litres
• You would like to reduce the higher costs for a regenerative heat generator with state subsidies

Solar thermal energy uses freely available solar energy as a heat source. In Central Europe, solar thermal systems are suitable for domestic hot water or as heating backup. It is not possible to cover the entire heat supply here. The savings potential is nevertheless impressive: annual savings of 60  percent are possible for DHW heating, and around 35  percent for the combined central heating backup. By reducing the utilisation of heating systems for fossil fuels, both energy costs and CO₂ emissions can be reduced. However, for the investment to be worthwhile, the roof must be unshaded and face south, west or east. And once again, this technology is state-subsidised too [subject to local conditions].

Solar thermal energy –– a sensible decision when…

• You want to use solar energy to heat water or as backup for the heating system
• You own a house with an unshaded roof surface facing south, west or east
• You want to supplement an existing heating system with renewable energies
• You would like to benefit from government subsidies for sustainable heat generators

A photovoltaic system converts solar energy into power. This can be fed into the public grid for remuneration or used by the owner –– for example to operate an electricity-powered heating system such as a heat pump. Due to the falling feed-in remuneration and rising electricity prices, the second option is currently much more interesting. To make the investment in such a system worthwhile, your roof should face south, west or east. In addition, make sure that it is not shaded by trees or mountains, etc. A state subsidy for photovoltaics and a storage unit will help to lower purchase costs.    

Photovoltaics –– a sensible decision when…

• You own a house with an unshaded roof area facing south, west or east
• You want more independence from the electricity supplier through power from the roof
• You want to produce your own power to run a heating system
• You want to export electricity to the public grid
• You would like to reduce the investment with subsidies for photovoltaics and power storage units

In addition to the heating, the indoor environment is also influenced by mechanical ventilation. This helps to remove moisture and thus prevents mould and possible damage to the building fabric. Systems with heat recovery can also relieve the heating system. This is because the heat stored in the extract air is not simply expelled to the outside. Integrated filters trap fine dust and pollen. The latter providing relief especially for allergy sufferers. Basically, a distinction can be made between centralised and decentralised ventilation systems. While centralised systems are more suitable for new buildings due to the installation complexity, decentralised systems are also a good solution for existing buildings and for ventilating individual rooms.

Mechanical ventilation –– a sensible decision when…

• You want to recover valuable heating energy from the extract air through heat recovery
• You want a constantly good and healthy indoor environment
• You want to prevent mould infestation
• You, as an allergy sufferer, want to filter particles from the air
• You want to eliminate fine dust and noise
• You wish to avoid draughts