The coldest day of the year is just around the corner – January 21 – and more than one consumer is wondering in the middle of winter which heating mode is the cheapest to stop the winter. Radiators, heat pump, aerothermal energy… Questions have always arisen regarding which is the most effective and economical heating system to use in winter.
The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) already made it clear in its latest report. The cheapest option for heating an average 90 square meter apartment is, by far, the air conditioning heat pump. Specifically, this system adds 241 euros to the annual cost of the electricity bill, compared to 1,174 euros for the most expensive option, electric radiators.
Heat pump: does it increase the electricity bill a lot?
But if there is a star, it is installing an aerothermal system (air-water heat pump) due to its high performance (380%), which translates into an electricity bill of just 306 euros per year. In addition, it offers the possibility of using it to cool the house in summer and, due to its high performance, it is considered a renewable option for air conditioning.
Its “big drawback” would be the price, since the initial investment is high, about 8,000 euros for a power of 16 kW; In addition, it is necessary to install underfloor heating or low-temperature radiators, “so it only compensates in the case of renovation.” Regarding the pellet stove, the OCU maintains that its performance is lower (85%) and the cost of fuel is higher, hence the bill rises to 560 euros per year.
Is an electric radiator or heat pump cheaper?
Along the same lines, Selectra has compared the electricity and gas consumption of electric heating, better known as split or air conditioning, the radiator and the aerothermal heat pump and the study shows a clear winner and loser. Thus, electric radiators generate the highest consumption and the highest price, reaching a total of 303.49 euros for the 89 days that winter lasts.
As for gas heating, making the calculation with the price of the TUR and taking into account the average consumption per home (4665 kWh) an expense of 254.47 euros is reached. Thus, the aerothermal heat pump today turns out to be the most economical heating system, because its consumption is much lower, also having the advantage that this system works as heating and cooling, in addition to being a sustainable option compared to gas boilers, since they emit less CO2.
Of course, experts recommend investing in aerothermal energy when the home requires greater consumption since, if consumption is generally low, the investment may not compensate for its use. It is important to note that although air conditioning also works as a heat pump, electric heating is not the same as aerothermal heating and even so, split is another option that can be more economical than gas and cost almost half as much. Price than radiators, always verifying that the device has a low consumption label.
