Heating Pump
BWP green

FAQ Heating Pumps

• Why is the combination of a heat pump and a stove heating system so effective?

  Even in Central European climates, it’s possible to heat your home all year round using renewable energy sources in a climate-friendly way — without skyrocketing electricity consumption or costs. The ideal solution is a combination of a heat pump and a stove heating system. In summer and during transitional seasons, the heat pump provides the necessary heat supply; when it gets colder, the fireplace takes over. This protects the heating system, saves money and benefits the environment.

  To ensure that a heat pump does not become a power guzzler at low outdoor temperatures and can operate efficiently, it can be combined with a wood-burning appliance—such as a BRUNNER stove, fireplace or pellet heating system. Water-bearing models with a heat exchanger are particularly effective. They heat the room they are installed in and feed the excess energy into the heating system, where it can then be used for space heating or domestic hot water. The wood fire relieves the heat pump, reduces its coefficient of performance (COP) and prevents excessive wear. Combining a heat pump with a stove heating system can extend the pump’s service life by five to ten years.

  The combination of a heat pump and a wood-burning appliance makes it possible to heat with renewable energy all year long. During transitional periods, just one or two burns per day are enough to supply the heating system and hot water—without the heat pump needing to run. In emergency situations, the entire heat demand could even be covered by a water-bearing fireplace or tiled stove.

  In addition, a wood fire brings a unique, sensory experience to any home: warmth, crackling sounds, the scent of the wood and a pleasant glow. Custom stove systems with water-bearing wood-burning appliances are designed and built by professional stove builders, while a heating contractor integrates them hydraulically into the system. At BRUNNER, water-bearing fireplaces and wood-burning stoves are available as complete modular systems—making it the simplest and most cost-effective way to install a water-bearing wood-burning appliance in your home. Every system kit includes an original BRUNNER heating insert.

• Wie viel kostet eine Wärmepumpenheizung?

  Bei der Anschaffung einer Luft-Wasser-Wärmepumpe muss man mit entsprechenden Kosten rechnen, die vom Staat gefördert werden. Auch die Installation dieser Art der Wärmepumpe ist im Vergleich mit anderen Ausführungen – etwa einer Erdwärmepumpe bei denen eine teure Erschließung beziehungsweise Bohrungen hinzukommen – günstig. Betriebs- und Heizkosten einer Luft-Wasser-Wärmepumpe hängen von der erreichten Jahresarbeitszahl ab. Diese Kennziffer gibt die Effizienz einer Wärmepumpe an. Für eine Förderung wird eine entsprechende Jahresarbeitszahl gefordert, die ggf. auch im Altbau erreicht werden kann. Die Betriebskosten hängen vom Heiz- und Warmwasserbedarf ab und ganz erheblich vom Stromverbrauch.

  Dieser lässt sich wiederum durch die Kombination Wärmepumpe-Holzfeuerstätte deutlich senken. Eine Wärmepumpe mit einer Heizleistung von neun Kilowatt, einer Jahresarbeitszahl von 3,0 und circa 1.800 Heizstunden hat im Jahr einen Verbrauch von rund 5.400 Kilowattstunde. Die Leistungszahl (COP) einer Wärmepumpe gibt das Verhältnis der Menge der erzeugten Nutzwärme und der dafür eingesetzten Antriebsenergie wieder. Seit Januar 2021 fördern das BAFA und die KFW die Installation von effizienten Wärmepumpen. Bis Juli 2021 betreffen die Förderungen nur die Modernisierung (35 beziehungsweise 45 Prozent beim Ölkesselaustausch / maximal förderfähige Kosten 60.000 Euro pro Wohneinheit). Im Neubau werden Wärmepumpen im Rahmen der Effizienzhäuser unterstützt. Erkundigen Sie sich bei der Bafa (BEG) über aktuelle Fördermöglichkeiten.

• How much does a heat pump heating system cost?

  The answer is: yes, you can. With our BWP “green”, the room temperature can be lowered accordingly in summer. The heating circuit is essentially reversed – this is known as “active cooling.” Wall and ceiling heating systems are best suited for this; with underfloor heating, only mild temperature reduction is possible. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the investment costs for this active cooling function are significantly higher.

• Heat pump heating system: how loud is it?

  A heat pump is installed outdoors, typically close to the building. During operation, it generates some noise — and the goal is: the quieter, the better. The key lies in the precise coordination of the components. Generally, the noise level of a heat pump ranges between 30 and 60 dB, with an average of around 50 dB.

  At premium manufacturer **BRUNNER**, an extra-large compressor, intelligent vibration decoupling, and a low-noise, speed-controlled EC fan help minimize sound levels. The sound pressure level, when free-standing, is just **29.4 dB at a distance of two meters**.

• How high is the power consumption of a heat pump heating system?

  Every heat pump needs electricity to power its drive and pump. Air-to-water heat pumps work most efficiently when outdoor temperatures are between 2 and 15 degrees Celsius, depending on the model. When it gets colder, their efficiency drops noticeably – exactly when you need warmth the most. To keep the house warm in such conditions, an electric heating rod switches on. It provides the missing heat for the water and heating system, but it also uses a lot of electricity – and electricity is expensive. The greater the temperature difference between the heat source, in this case the outside air, and the heating system, the more energy, meaning electricity, is needed. A heat pump system can only work efficiently if the flow temperature, the temperature of the water circulating through the heating pipes, stays below 50 degrees Celsius. Ideally, it should be under 45 degrees. This is only possible in well-insulated new buildings or low-energy houses. Even then, electricity still accounts for around 20 to 30 percent of the total energy used.

• How does an air-to-water heat pump work?

  Its operating principle is simple and similar to that of a refrigerator – just the other way around. The outside air is cooled, while the inside of the house is warmed. The heat pump’s function can be explained in four steps:

  • Absorb: The system takes in heat from the environment – from air, groundwater or the earth. This heat causes the refrigerant inside the heat pump to slowly evaporate.
  • Compress: The refrigerant is then compressed using electrical energy, which makes it heat up further.
  • Transfer: In the condenser, the refrigerant releases this heat energy to the heating system.
  • Expand: Finally, an expansion valve cools the refrigerant down again so the process can start over.

  A heat pump heating system consists of three main parts: the heat source system, which extracts energy from the environment; the heat pump itself, which converts this energy into usable heat; and a distribution and storage system that delivers the warmth throughout the home. Depending on whether the energy comes from air, ground or water, the technology used varies.

• What is a heat pump heating system?

  An air-to-water heat pump uses heat energy from the environment – depending on the type, from the air, the ground or from water. It transfers thermal energy from one medium to another.

• Why choose a heat pump heating system?

  If you heat your home with a heat pump, you don’t need a gas tank or connection, an oil tank, a storage room for pellets, or even a chimney. A heat pump produces no CO₂ and no emissions. It uses natural energy sources such as air, groundwater or geothermal heat – and these will never run out.

  Heat pump systems need little maintenance, just regular check-ups. Another advantage is that many of them can even be used for cooling during the hot summer months.

  One more reason why heat pumps are so popular is their high efficiency. On average, one kilowatt of electricity is enough to generate about three to five times as much heat energy.

  A heat pump system also meets energy-saving regulations, and installation is simple.