Expert: which heating method is cheaper

A comparison of heating methods and their costs was carried out in a study by the National Technical University of Athens (Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο).

On the occasion of the arrival of winter, the Laboratory of Steam Engines and Boilers (EMP), together with the Laboratory of Thermal Processes and with the support of the Institute of Chemical Processes and Energy Resources EKETA, began calculations based on which The heating cost of one average household in Greece is calculated, depending on what citizens use.

The study took into account prices and government subsidies available for the period October to December. The study estimates that Natural gas and electricity prices are rock-bottom enough to push heating costs to levels unheard of in the previous two winter seasons.

According to this study, the most expensive type of heating is fireplace, followed by resistive element systems (electric heaters with a heating element. Typically the system consists of a large coil or set of coils made of wire with high electrical resistance. This wire can withstand high temperatures without melting or breaking down. The electrical energy in the appliance turns into heat). In Greek it is called – σύστημα με ηλεκτρικές αντιστάσεις.

Concerning the cheapest solution, then according to the same data these are steam boilers. In fact, the cost of heating with an open fireplace or electrical resistance system is approximately 200% higher than with a similar boiler. Thermal boilers account for 38-61% of the cost of heating an apartment/house with a boiler running on fuel oil.

The conclusions of the study note that a slight increase compared to last year – about 10-15% – in prices for fuel oil leads to the fact that The cost of heating with natural gas systems is cheaper.

“In addition, natural gas condensing boilers are currently considered the most cost-effective investment for replacing traditional heating systems with conventional oil/fuel oil boilers, regardless of the annual heating needs of the average household,” the expert said, noting that at any time the data may may be subject to change due to TTF (Ticket Transfer Fund) price fluctuations and this must be taken into account.

Medium temperature steam boilers (LWmax = 60°C) appear to be an equally cost-effective proposal to replace an existing oil boiler, which competes well with comparable natural gas systems in terms of payback period, the study says.

As for high-temperature thermal boilers (LW > 70°C), they represent cost-effective solutions, mainly for annual heat demands exceeding 9000 kWh. In addition, as the study notes, “an element of risk also exists in heating technologies that use electricity.”

As for the usual types solid fuels such as firewood and wood pelletsthe study notes that their prices may fall by 10-25% compared to last year, but still remain at a high level compared to prices before the energy crisis erupted.

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