Heat pump madness: technology fights in the Donnersbergkreis!

Heat pump madness: technology fights in the Donnersbergkreis!

Michael Rach from Bubenheim has been faced with problems with his newly installed heat pump for months. The switch from an old oil heating to modern technology was decided in spring 2024, but reality does not meet expectations. The heat pump not only has to struggle with considerable ice problems in winter, but also generates noise, which suggests that the device does not cope with the climatic conditions in the Donnersberg district. That reports Rheinpfalz.de .

The challenges that Rach faces are not isolated. According to the Consumer center depends significantly from heat pumps from technical factors and the individual circumstances on site. An important key figure for this is the annual labor number (JAZ), which describes how much heat is obtained per unit of energy used. A jaz of at least 3 is considered efficient, and in optimal conditions, modern heat pumps can achieve annual numbers of 4. This corresponds to a delivery of 4 kilowatt hours of heat per kilowatt hour.

technical challenges and efficiency

The problem that the heat pump causes noise is not uncommon. In particular, air heat pumps that are used in many households can generate noise between 40 and 50 dB, which often leads to displeasure with neighbors. The Tagesschau emphasizes that modern heat pumps should be quieter than refrigerators, as far as the noise level concerns. When installing, the specific requirements of the technology should be taken into account in order to optimally design the operation.

The use of refrigerants is another critical point that influences the efficiency of the systems. According to the consumer center, environmentally friendly refrigerants with a low GWP value must be preferred to ensure both efficiency and climate protection. Manufacturers often indicate their efficiency values ​​under laboratory conditions that are difficult to achieve in practice.

market development and support for heat pumps

The demand for heat pumps increases, especially against the background of new legal framework. From 2024, a building energy law will come into force to promote the installation of heat pumps in Germany. The aim is to install half a million new heat pumps every year. Around 50 % of the 41 million households in Germany are currently using natural gas, while 25 % rely on heating oil. In the heating systems there was an increase in installations by 53 % in 2022, which underlines the growing acceptance of technology.

For the purchase of heat pumps, high initial costs are required in five -digit amount, but the financial hurdles can be reduced by granting up to 70 % as part of the new opposite. This support is crucial to advance the energy transition and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. It is estimated that a comprehensive switch to heat pumps could save around 30 million tons of CO2 annually.

The development of modern heat pumps shows that these devices can work efficiently even at extreme outside temperatures. Nevertheless, it is important to take the specific conditions on site into account. For many households, the changeover to heat pumps could be the future of the heating - provided that the technology is implemented correctly and the challenges are addressed.