Input data:
1. Choose the types of heating systems you would like top compare by clicking in the boxes for each technology.
1. The first data needed is the annual heat demand of the house you want to evaluate the heating cost for. This value (in kWh per year) is prompted in the box for “Annual heat demand”.
2. Next, the investment cost (€) for each heating technology is prompted. Default values representing reasonable costs are set as initial values, but the user should use the values given by a local installer. If you are only interested in one or a few technologies, just fill in the data for those technologies and leave the others.
3. Fill in the cost for the fuel. In the case of heat pumps, direct electric radiators and electric boiler, the fuel cost is the cost for electricity. This cost is the total electric cost per kWh, including grid costs and fixed costs.
4. Last, the efficiency for the heating technology is prompted. For heat pumps, the efficiency is the same as the COP/SPF value. This is why the efficiency is expressed as more than 100% in this case. The default values are representative for the technologies, so if you don’t have a number from your local installer, use the number set as default.
When these numbers have been entered, press the button “Calculate”.
Figure 1. The online heating cost calculator.
The calculator then calculates:
- The primary energy demand (the amount of fuel that has to be purchased to meet the heat demand after adjusting for the efficiency),
- The quantity of fuel that has to be purchased annually,
- The capital cost per year[1],
- The annual fuel cost, and
- The total annual cost for providing the heat.
Figure 2. Results are displayed for each heating option that was initially chosen.
Definitions of the heating options
Ground Source Heat Pump: A ground source heat pump producing space heating and domestic hot water is installed.
Oil Boiler: An oil boiler is installed in the house. Hydronic heating and domestic hot water production is supplied by the boiler.
Gas boiler: A condensing gas boiler is installed in the house. Hydronic heating and domestic hot water production is supplied by the boiler.
Direct electric: Heat is supplied to electric radiators and domestic hot water is produced by electric resistance heating.
Electric boiler: An electric boiler is installed in the house. Hydronic heating and domestic hot water production is supplied by the boiler.
Wood boiler: A wood boiler is installed in the house. Hydronic heating and domestic hot water production is supplied by the boiler.
Pellet boiler: A pellet boiler is installed in the house. Hydronic heating and domestic hot water production is supplied by the boiler.
District heat: A district heating central is installed in the house. Hydronic heating and domestic hot water production is supplied by district heat.
Disclaimer
This calculator is made available on the understanding that those using it take full responsibility for the results of any calculations and the consequences of their use. Results are meant to be indicative only and should not substitute for the results of a thorough professional appraisal. Presentations of results from this calculator should include all input data.
[1] The capital cost per year is calculated using an annuity factor of 0.0963, representing a depreciation time of fifteen years and an interest rate of five percent. This annuity factor is the same for all heating options in the calculator.