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Calculating Savings Potential with Heat Pumps

This section explains how to calculate the potential cost and CO₂ savings when switching to a heat pump

Divine Bunda-Rühl avatar
Written by Divine Bunda-Rühl
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Step-by-Step Calculation Overview

1. Energy Costs (per kWh)

Assumed average energy prices:

Energy Source

Cost per kWh

Gas

€0.10

Oil

€0.12

Pellets

€0.07

District Heating

€0.09

Electricity

€0.28

2. Energy Consumption Comparison

Modern heat pumps are highly efficient. On average, they deliver 3.5 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed. This efficiency is described by the Seasonal Performance Factor (SPF or JAZ in German).

Example Calculation:
Your current heating system consumes 20,000 kWh/year (based on gas, oil, etc.).
With a heat pump (SPF = 3.5), your new electricity consumption would be:
20,000 kWh / 3.5 = 5,714 kWh electricity/year.

3. Cost Comparison Example (Gas → Heat Pump)

Parameter

Value

Current system: Gas

20,000 kWh × €0.10 = €2,000/year

Heat pump electricity use

5,714 kWh × €0.28 = €1,600/year

Annual savings

€400


🌍 CO₂ Emissions Comparison

Energy Source

CO₂ Emissions (g/kWh)

Gas

250 g

Oil

330 g

Pellets

30 g

District Heating

480 g

Electricity (mix)

400 g

Green electricity

50 g

Example:

  • Gas: 20,000 kWh × 250 g = 5,000 kg CO₂/year

  • Heat pump with green electricity: 5,714 kWh × 50 g = 286 kg CO₂/year

  • CO₂ reduction: ~4.7 tons/year


Summary

By switching from a gas heating system to a heat pump:

  • You could save €400 per year (in this example)

  • You could reduce your CO₂ emissions by over 90%

  • Savings and emissions vary based on energy prices, building efficiency, and electricity source

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