Winter is coming and, with the cost of energy increasing very quickly, if you live or want to buy a house in the Penedès we must ask ourselves, which heating system spend less energy? and which one heats more?
We should analyse which are the most efficient systems to lower the amount of the bills, but without giving up comfort, an equation that seems difficult but it is not.
Choose the heating system that wastes the least depending on the needs of your home located in the Penedès
The first aspect we should to consider for choosing the best heating system, is the size of your home: obviously, a 50 square metre flat in the Penedès area is not heated in the same way as a 100 square metre flat or a chalet in the mountains. In the case of small flats, heat pumps and condensing boilers are ideal. On the other side, for larger areas, it is better use biomass and aerothermal heat pumps (aerothermal are the latest generation of heat pumps that can provide cooling in summer and heating in winter).
The number of people living in the house should also be taken into account: if it’s about two or three people, a condensing boiler with radiators is the most recommended system. But, if you telework or spend a lot of time at home, it is best to invest in aerothermal, which, although it is the most expensive system, its energy consumption will be noticeable on your bills. And finally, you also have to consider whether you want to include hot water or not.
Which type of heating system consumes less energy:
In general, the most efficient (in terms of energy savings) is the aerothermal system, although its price is one of the highest. It is followed by gas boilers and air conditioning. If we analyse the systems in detail, the situation would be as follows:
- Condensing boilers: they are economical and efficient, but they will not serve to cool the house in the Penedès area. This type of boiler allows savings of up to 25% in heating and 30% in hot water.
- Air conditioning with heat pump: they consume very little, but it is a system that does not include hot water, so we will have to consider an alternative for the water. In addition, they heat quickly, but it is true that the heat is not maintained for a long time.
- Biomass boiler: these boilers work by burning biomass and provide heat and hot water. Their main disadvantage is that they require space for the tank, which makes them unadvisable in small homes.
- Aerothermal: of the systems we have seen, this is the most efficient. The equipment works with conventional radiators, though for this system, underfloor heating or low temperature radiators are recommended. On the other hand, its price is one of the highest, especially if you also have to install underfloor heating, which requires building work.
How to save on heating in your home in the Penedès:
In any case, whatever you choose, here are some tips to lower your bills:
- Do not cover the radiators, neither with drying clothes nor with radiator covers, which may look aesthetically pleasing, but it prevents heat from escaping into the room.
- Put weather-stripping on windows and doors.
- Regulate the temperature. The ideal temperature would be 19 degrees in winter and 25 degrees in summer.
- Check boilers regularly. Gas boilers should be checked every two years, and the whole installation needs to be checked every five years. Biomass boilers require an annual check-up. Aerothermal equipment needs to be checked every two years, if its power is higher than 12kW. So if you are thinking of buying a house in the Penedès, remember to ask the current owners for the date of the last revision.
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