It is. Coal heating is cheaper than heat pump

For fresh years coal has been the subject of criticism, and its usage for heating has been presented as destructive to the climate and costly, especially in the context of the improvement of renewable energy sources. However, the analysis of experts from Rankomat.pl turns this communicative upside down. It turns out that heating of a 150 sqm home can bring the top savings in the case of coal, while heat pump users gotta bear advanced costs.

Coal is not only harmful to the environment, but has besides importantly increased recently. Prices per tonne of this fuel in Polish power plants reached a evidence of PLN 741.22. Compared to the situation 2 years ago, in November 2021 the price was only PLN 237.41. At the same time renewable energy sources in Poland, specified as solar or wind energy, are developing dynamically, beating further records. This is assumed to go hand in hand with our heating bills, where the greater the share of renewable energy sources, the little costs. However, the latest analysis of Rankomat.pl on home heating costs in 2022 and 2023 for 4 people on an area of 150 sqm shows that reality can be different. Those who stay at coal furnaces, despite the negative trend, can number on the top savings.

Heat bills, i.e. on coal almost PLN 6000 savings

When analysing heating bills at home between 2022 and 2023, 1 can see that the top savings can be achieved utilizing a coal boiler (with an average efficiency of 64%), which translates into savings of PLN 5750. For coal furnaces with average efficiency of 84 percent, the savings are PLN 4390. The condensing gas boiler (propane) besides saves PLN 3110, while for the wood pellets boiler (average efficiency 84%) is PLN 2550. Condensing boiler for fuel oil saves PLN 1340.

However, what kind of heating did the budget weigh most between 2022 and 2023? A clear leader of the cost increase was the electrical boiler, generating an increase in heating bills of as much as PLN 15840 per year. It seems that heat pump users besides gotta anticipate extra expenses. For people choosing an air-water pump (heater), the additional expenditure of PLN 5,260, for water-salt pumps (heater) is PLN 4420, for air-water pumps (floor pump) is PLN 4190, while for water-salan pumps (floor pump) is PLN 3550.

Is that why heat pumps in Poland are slow rolling?

It seems that crucial differences in heating charges may be the main reason for the decreasing popularity of heat pumps in Poland. Not long ago, in July this year, these devices accounted for as much as 57% of preferred heat sources in Clean Air, importantly overtaking condensing gas boilers (25%) and biomass boilers (17%). However, a fewer months later the situation is completely different. In September, the share of heat pumps fell to 48%, reaching the lowest level since April 2022. The second place included gas boilers (30%), and the 3rd was biomass boilers (21%). What do manufacturers, retailers and energy marketplace experts in Poland gotta say about this? Their comments will be available soon.

Ignacy Michałowski

OSINT investigator with experience in global journalism projects. It has been publishing materials for over 20 years for the largest releases. In social activities he engaged in various projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people, especially those of mediocre communities. He was besides active in the fight for human rights. Contact: [email protected]