heat-pump-cost-calculator

This Heat Pump Calculator is a quick orientation tool: You enter a few key data points and receive immediately a plausible estimate for the annual heating demand (including hot water), a rough recommendation for the required heat pump output, the expected electricity consumption, the derived operating costs as well as the cost comparison against a gas heating system. The great value added is that you see live which levers really count – especially Building Standard, Climate Region, Heat Pump Type and Temperature Level.

Heating Demand (kWh/Year): As a basis, the calculator uses a rule of thumb for specific heating demand in kWh per square meter and year (unrenovated / partially renovated / well renovated). This value is multiplied by the living area and slightly corrected via the climate region. This gives you a realistic magnitude that works very well for initial cost estimates. For an exact result in a project, you need a heat load calculation according to standards later – but the calculator is ideal for quickly playing through options.

Hot Water: Optionally, hot water is taken into account via a simple flat rate per person. This is deliberately kept pragmatic because hot water profiles are extremely different (shower duration, bathtub, circulation, water-saving fittings). If you do not want to include hot water or cover it otherwise, simply set the person count to 0.

SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance Estimate): The SCOP describes how many kWh of heat are generated on average per year from 1 kWh of electricity. It depends heavily on the system and the temperature level. Air/Water is the most common and easiest to install, but reacts more strongly to cold outside temperatures. Brine/Water (Ground probe/collector) and Water/Water usually work more efficiently because the heat source is more stable. Air/Air is typically a split/AC solution for room heating and has its own efficiency profiles – in the calculator, a SCOP is also estimated for this as an orientation.

Electricity Consumption: The annual electricity demand of the heat pump results from Heat Demand ÷ SCOP. This allows you to immediately feel how strongly better efficiency (e.g., lower temperatures or a different system) reduces electricity consumption.

Cost Comparison to Gas: For gas, the heating demand is divided by the boiler efficiency (because not 100% arrives as useful heat) and then multiplied by the gas price. This creates a fair comparison of annual operating costs. The difference is shown as Savings vs. Gas (positive = cheaper than gas, negative = more expensive than gas).

CO₂ Balance: Optionally, the calculator calculates a CO₂ difference with freely adjustable emission factors. This is helpful if you want to compare different electricity or gas assumptions (e.g., with own PV share).