Advantages of renewable energies
Switching from heating oil and natural gas to solar energy, thermal energy, and wood fuel brings many benefits. These are renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources that are significantly cheaper and regionally available. In Central Europe, the sun shines from January to December – not always with the same intensity, but strong enough to be effective. As a result, the air is generally warm, and wood in Germany grows faster than it is consumed, according to the Forest Farmers Association.
Those who combine a solar system or heat pump with modern fireplaces can supply their heating and hot water throughout the year using CO2-neutral energy.
Solar thermal energy and wood-burning fireplaces
Using a solar thermal system makes the most sense from May to September, when the sun is high enough to cover the entire hot water demand. During the remaining cooler months, an additional heating system is needed. A water-bearing wood-burning fireplace with a heat exchanger is ideal for this purpose. It first heats the room where it’s installed, then transfers the remaining energy to the heating circuit, where it can be used both for space heating and water heating.
Heat pump and wood-burning fireplace – a hybrid heating system
Air-source heat pumps use thermal energy by extracting heat from the outside air and converting it into heating energy. One drawback of air-source heat pumps is that during winter, when heating is needed most, temperatures are often around or below freezing.
At that point, the heat pump becomes a heavy power consumer: as the heat demand and heating output rise, it eventually ends up heating almost entirely with electricity. The smarter solution is to combine the heating system with a water-bearing tiled stove or fireplace insert. This way, heating peaks can be balanced out and heating costs reduced.
Conclusion
Heating oil and natural gas are expensive, and fossil fuels have little future. Solar systems or heat pumps combined with modern water-bearing fireplaces are a smart alternative, allowing both heating and hot water generation with CO2-neutral energy. A wood fire not only provides warmth but also creates a wonderfully cozy indoor atmosphere thanks to its pleasant radiant heat. Sitting in front of a wood fire is a truly holistic experience – watching the dancing flames, hearing the crackling logs, smelling the wood, and enjoying the gentle glow of the fire.
Expert advice
There are several heating systems that can be combined with a wood-burning fireplace. Get detailed advice from a professional and choose the system that best fits your individual needs.
