New comparison tool for heat pumps: efficiency and costs at a glance

Source: German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection

A new online tool supports experts and experienced end users in selecting the right heat pump system.
Developed by the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) as part of the IntegraTE initiative, the web-based tool compares different variants of heat pump systems. Users can use it to evaluate the efficiency, carbon footprint and energy costs of the systems. The tool is available free of charge on the ISFH website.

Six system variants compared

The tool provides an overview of six heat pump options:

• Brine-to-water heat pumps with PVT collectors, geothermal probes, or a combination of both
• Brine-to-water heat pumps with photovoltaics
• Air source heat pumps with and without photovoltaics
• In the tool, users can also choose between a new single-family home or an existing building in order to optimally adapt the systems to their needs. The heating system variants are clearly explained, their possible applications explained and the advantages and disadvantages presented graphically and in text form.

Data-based and practical

The comparison tool is based on thousands of simulations with the TRNSYS software. Important parameters such as the design of solar systems and geothermal probes or energy and maintenance costs are already preset for each system variant. The results include parameters such as electricity demand, operating costs and energy production costs, enabling well-founded decisions to be made.

PVT systems impress in terms of cost-effectiveness

The simulations show: PVT collectors in combination with heat pumps achieve the lowest energy costs (20.3 ct/kWh) and highest efficiency (seasonal performance factor grid: 4.16). The annual operating costs of this variant are also the lowest. "PVT systems offer long-term savings potential and could become even cheaper as production figures increase," emphasizes Harald Drück from the Institute for Building Energy, Thermal Engineering and Energy Storage (IGTE).

This tool is a valuable aid that simplifies the planning of sustainable and efficient heat pump systems.