Heating costs can consume a huge part of the budget of any industrial plant. Therefore, choosing the right heat source, which with the highest efficiency will remain a relatively economical solution, is a very important issue. Until recently, gas heating was a cost-effective method. Today, the situation is slightly different, and heat pumps are among the most advantageous systems. How do both sources work and which is better to choose for industry? What should you pay attention to when recommending the best solution to your clients?
In this article you will learn:
- what are the characteristics of gas heating and heat pump heating,
- what are the costs of heating by both methods,
- which heating system is more profitable and ecological.
Advantages and disadvantages of a heat pump
A heat pump is a modern, maintenance-free heating device that obtains heat energy from a lower source, i.e. air, ground or water. It is then transferred to an upper source, i.e. to the central heating system and domestic hot water. This process requires the participation of electrical energy, supplied from outside to drive the compressor. This means that about 75% of the heat comes from renewable energy sources, and only 25% from burning fuels in the power plant.
The most popular type of this device is an air heat pump, which obtains energy from the building's surroundings. However, ground-source pumps are also widely used in industry, and are characterized by a high level of efficiency. The investment costs associated with them are of course proportionally higher.
The advantages of heat pumps are numerous. The most important include:
- energy saving,
- low heating costs,
- ecological values,
- security,
- possibility of cooperation with photovoltaics,
- long service life,
- automatic control.
It is quite difficult to find disadvantages of heat pumps. Among the few that can be mentioned are:
- high investment costs,
- addiction to electricity,
- noise in the case of air heat pumps (however, the noise level still allows normal use of the property).
It is worth noting that although gas furnaces (or more precisely: boilers) were until recently promoted in Poland as an alternative to coal-fired ones, the European Union is currently introducing new regulations. The installation of gas furnaces is soon to be banned, and the recommended solution is heat pumps. As a result, the demand for gas furnaces has temporarily increased (due to their lower costs - many investors want to make it to the installation before the new regulations come into force), but heat pumps will soon gain popularity.
Advantages and disadvantages of gas heating
The gas boiler is still one of the most popular heat sources in Poland. Like the heat pump, it is characterized by low emissions and maintenance-free operation. The gas condensing boiler has particularly favorable parameters, distinguished by its exceptionally high efficiency and low operating costs. All thanks to the fact that this device receives an additional amount of heat from the exhaust gases.
In order for an industrial plant to use gas heating, it needs a gas connection. The cost of its implementation is not among the lowest and oscillates around PLN 10,000. In such a situation, it is often necessary to expand the gas pipeline, which is an even greater expense. If the facility is located outside the range of the gas network, a special tank must be installed. In such a case, however, the investor will be personally responsible for all formalities related to the delivery of fuel.
Gas condensing boilers have numerous advantages, such as:
- high efficiency,
- no solid combustion products,
- high degree of automation,
- quick and easy assembly,
- low noise level,
- relatively low operating costs.
The disadvantages of gas heating include:
- high costs of purchasing and installing a boiler,
- the need to connect the installation to the gas pipeline,
- technical restrictions on access to the gas network,
- periodic inspection of gas pipes and ventilation ducts,
- potential risk of explosion or poisoning if used incorrectly.
Heat pump or gas - which is more profitable?
As you can see, both solutions described above are modern, relatively inexpensive to use and ecological ways of heating any industrial plant. The choice between them should be primarily determined by the specifics of the building and its plot:
- If a natural gas connection is not an option and the available space does not allow for the installation of a liquefied gas tank, it will be advisable to use a heat pump.
- However, if the terrain is not suitable for installing a ground-source heat pump and the air-source heat pump does not guarantee sufficient efficiency, natural gas heating will be a better solution.
In many situations, however, the final decision will come down to costs - both investment and operating. This criterion seems all the more important because in the face of recent geopolitical events, gas prices have risen dramatically. This makes the advantage of the heat pump visible, consisting in complete independence from the market situation. The electricity necessary for the device to operate can be obtained, for example, by connecting it to a photovoltaic installation.
Investment cost of heat pump and gas boiler
First, let's take a closer look at the investment costs. In the case of a condensing gas boiler, the following elements should be taken into account:
- gas connection - approx. PLN 10,000,
- ventilation and exhaust system - approx. PLN 3,000,
- purchase and installation of a condensing boiler - approximately PLN 10,000.
When deciding on a heat pump, you need to take into account such expenses as the purchase and installation of the device:
- You can buy and install an air heat pump for PLN 40,000 - 60,000.
- A ground heat pump, on the other hand, is an expense of around PLN 50-80 thousand, to which must be added the costs of drilling. The cost of drilling together with connection to the building is around PLN 100-120 per meter.
As you can see, the amount of investment costs definitely speaks in favor of heating the building with gas. However, the costs associated with the operation of both heating systems must also be taken into account...
Annual heating cost with heat pump and gas
The efficiency of the heating system will depend not only on the efficiency of the device itself, but also on external conditions and the quality of insulation. The better the building is insulated, the lower the annual heating costs. However, the price of a specific fuel will have a decisive influence on this value. Currently, 1 kWh of thermal energy costs:
- PLN 0.165 for a ground heat pump (electricity price in the G11 tariff),
- PLN 0.196 in the case of an air heat pump (electricity price in the G12 tariff),
- PLN 0.292 for natural gas,
- PLN 0.481 for liquefied petroleum gas.
As you can see, in terms of operating costs, ground heat pumps are the most cost-effective choice. This type of heating is about twice as cheap as using a gas heating system. It is easy to see that the larger expenses associated with purchasing and installing a pump will pay off relatively quickly.
You will find an efficient heat source in the Onninen offer
If you decide to heat your building with a heat pump, be sure to check out our online wholesaler's assortment. Onninen's offer includes efficient air and ground pumps:
- KAISAI ARCTIC ,
- IMMERGAS MAGIS PRO ,
- VAILLANT VWL ,
- NIBE BA-SVM ,
- NIBE F2120,
- AUREA M 10kW ,
- R32 3 PHASE, 16 kW ,
- MAXIMA 28GT .
When choosing a heat pump for an industrial plant, consider not only the financial aspects, but above all the efficiency of the devices and the demand for thermal energy of the facility. At Onninen you will easily find products that meet all your requirements!