While until now gas boilers were considered the main source of heating for family houses, for which it was possible to receive very generous subsidies until recently, the current situation has changed everything. Although gas was counted on for decades to come as a transition energy, today there is a risk that it will not be available, or that it will be so expensive that no one will be able to afford it.
High investment, uncertain savings
Many households are therefore already considering what to replace their gas boiler with, and many have already started to act. One of the most common options is a heat pump.
After all, even in the Czech Republic considerable subsidies are being prepared for heat pumps, which should simplify their acquisition. The truth is that the initial investment is high, especially nowadays when interest is growing rapidly. However, there is the promise of a relatively quick return on investment, as you won’t be spending as much on energy.
But as is often the case, practice is quite different from idealized theory. This is also shown by the story of Paul McDonald, who bought a heat pump in Great Britain and shared his experience with it, as reported by the Express newspaper.
According to him, the main problem is the fact that the heat pump has to run much longer than the gas boiler to heat the house. While the gas boiler has a relatively high output and can quickly heat up the household, the heat pump needs several hours for this, even at two degrees. That’s why you should never let the house get cold.
It may not pay much
According to its owner, the heat pump is also not at all suitable for older houses that have greater energy losses. If you do not have high-quality modern windows and solid insulation, the purchase of a heat pump can be very costly. Continuous leaks make it difficult for the pump to heat the rooms, and so often the savings may not occur at all.
A heat pump is the optimal choice for new properties, where underfloor heating is also created together with it. These technologies understand each other and can be effective.
Another disadvantage, however, is the noise produced by the heat pump. While a gas boiler is very quiet and practically inaudible in the case of a condensing boiler, you can hear the pump even through the walls in the surrounding rooms. It is therefore necessary to choose a place for him where he will not bother you.
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