Efficient heating with environmental energy – the heat pump makes it possible

The heat pump is one of the newest renewable energies that can be used to heat buildings. In addition to solar energy and the environmentally friendly alternatives with biogas and bio fuel oil, the heat pump offers a CO2-neutral option for builders and property owners.

Functionality – how the heat pump works

The heat pump uses the thermal energies already stored in the environment to convert them into usable heat for heating. The special thing about this technology is that nothing is burned here, as with wood, gas or oil heating systems, but a technical process converts the thermal energies into heat. The principle is the same as in a refrigerator. Thermal energy with low temperatures are to be raised to a higher level. With the heat pump it works only the other way round. The environmental heat can therefore not only be used in the heating system, but also to provide hot water for the household.

The energy sources of the heat pump – air, earth & water

The heat pump uses different energy sources to generate heat. The brine-to-water heat pump uses the earth as an energy source, the water-to-water heat pump uses the water as an energy source and the air-to-water heat pump uses the air as an energy source. Which heat pump is best for your property depends on a variety of factors, but especially on the location of the property.

The air-to-water heat pump – thermal energy from the air

The energy source air is the easiest to use by the heat pump. The heat pump works with a simple system that sucks in and blows out the air. For this purpose, the heat pump uses the outside air, which is always available and is therefore one of the renewable energies. But even if the heat pump works with outside air, it can be placed inside the house. It then uses ducts to draw in air from outside. But it is also possible to place the system outside the property. There is no need for ducts as the system directly uses the air that is in the surrounding area. However, it is important with a heat pump that works with air that it is always kept free of frost in winter. Since the system has to work with air temperatures below zero, it becomes increasingly difficult to convert the cold air into usable heat. The colder the air, the more difficult the conversion. To keep the efficiency of the heat pump as high as possible, regularly clear it of frost and make sure it is properly maintained.

The brine-to-water heat pump – Earth as an energy source

Thermal energy is also stored in the ground, which the brine-to-water heat pump uses to generate heat for heating. For this purpose, pipes are installed in the ground in which a mixture of water and antifreeze circulates. The liquid, also called brine, extracts heat from the earth and transports it to the heat pump, which feeds it into the heating system. Each metre of ground provides thermal energy of approximately 50 watts that the brine fluid can extract from it. For a normal building, an average of around 150 metres of depth is required, which can, however, be divided into several boreholes. Depending on the individual circumstances of the property, deep boreholes or shallow collectors can be installed. The deep boreholes go up to 100 metres deep into the ground and therefore require special permits and are also not permitted in every area. With this method, plastic pipes (probes) are then installed in the ground.

If this variant is technically or legally not possible, the variant of flat plate collectors can be used. Here, similar to underfloor heating, pipes are laid at a depth of 1.50 m, which can extract 25 watts per square metre. A modern single-family house needs about 350 square meters of pipes to provide heating. The big advantage over the air-water heat pump is that the heat can be extracted all year round without any loss. This fact increases the efficiency of the heat pump and thus reduces the electricity costs incurred. See also: money guide.

The water-to-water heat pump – thermal energy in groundwater

Thermal energy can also be found in the groundwater, which can be used to generate heat. The water-to-water heat pump has a relatively simple mode of operation, as it has two wells that transport the groundwater to the water-to-water heat pump and back again. The wells must be installed in the direction of flow of the groundwater with a minimum distance to prevent the groundwater, which has already cooled down, from entering the heater again.

However, before installing a water-to-water heat pump, the groundwater must be tested. Good water quality is a prerequisite for installation, because chemical ingredients can put a great strain on the heat exchanger and thus limit efficiency enormously. In addition, the use of groundwater in a water-to-water heat pump is subject to approval and is not permitted everywhere. However, the thermal energy that can be used from groundwater is the most constant throughout the year, as the temperatures in the groundwater are not subject to large fluctuations. The water-to-water heat pump is one of the most effective variants of the heat pump.

The cost of a heat pump – installation, operation and energy source

The costs involved in installing a heat pump are generally divided into three areas. The cost of the energy source, i.e. the extraction of thermal energy from the air, earth or water, the cost of the system itself and the cost of operation and maintenance. Depending on which system is suitable for your property, the costs differ depending on the model and the system.

Costs for the extraction of environmental energy from air, earth or water

The choice of thermal energy from which the heat is to be extracted decisively determines the costs. An air-source heat pump, for example, requires hardly any additional technology, whereas with a brine heat pump, the drilling and additional materials must also be paid for. The cost of one metre of deep drilling is around 60 to 80 euros, while one square metre of surface collector costs 10 to 20 euros. The water heat pump also requires costs for the drilling, because the two wells must be laid to the groundwater and back. The costs here amount to about 5000-6000 euros for both wells. Depending upon condition of the environment and situation of the real estate the prices can deviate however also. An exact offer can only be made by a specialist.

Costs for the heat pump itself

The heat pump itself consists of the same components, regardless of the energy source itself, and can be combined with all three options. Depending on the size, installation costs range from 8000 to 12000 euros. However, the installation of a heat pump can be subsidised by various grants. Again, depending on the size required and individual circumstances of the location, prices may vary. For precise prices, request a quote from a specialist company.

Costs for the operation of the heat pump

All heat pumps operate electrically and require electricity to convert the thermal energy into heat. However, the level of these operating costs is highly variable. They depend on the selected energy source, the energy status of the property and the type of heat transfer to the various rooms. It is therefore not possible to give an exact price here and it must be calculated individually for each property.

Wind turbines – everything you need to know about renewable energy from wind

Most people only know wind turbines as large plants that appear again and again in the landscape, but how exactly does such a wind turbine actually work and how can usable energy be created by it?

Keyfact 1 – A modern and large wind turbine can reach an output of several megawatts.

Keyfact 2 – Wind turbines are differentiated into offshore and onshore by location

Keyfact 3 – Wind turbines have no direct impact on the value of a property or land.

The power – how much energy does a wind turbine produce?

The power generated by a wind turbine increases in proportion to the third power of the wind speed. This means that the power increases eightfold when the wind speed doubles. However, if there is too little or too much wind, the turbine cannot operate. If the wind speed falls below 2 m/s, production stops, but if the speed is too high or there are storms, the turbine must be shut down for safety reasons to prevent damage. A large and modern wind turbine can reach an output of several megawatts and thus produce a lot of energy.

Efficiency – the measure of energy

The efficiency of a rotor describes the ratio between the incoming wind energy and the electrical power generated from it. This key figure is also referred to as the power coefficient. The theoretical upper limit of the achievable efficiency is 59.3 percent, while in practice the best wind turbines have an efficiency of up to 50 percent. In practice, these figures mean that the physically possible has almost been reached and optimisation measures are mainly in the area of increasing the spectrum of wind speed. However, research in this area continues to progress and expand the potential that wind turbines and wind farms have. The resulting renewable energy thus offers a great alternative to prevailing environmentally harmful energy generation, such as nuclear power or energy from coal-fired power plants.

The different shapes – what are the differences between wind turbines

The best known are probably the horizontal wind turbines with a three-bladed rotor. The blade profiles of the rotor blades are aerodynamically optimized to achieve higher efficiency and reduce noise emissions. The diameter of the rotors varies depending on the model. The large wind turbines have a rotor diameter of more than 100 metres. With these dimensions, they deliver an efficiency of 50 percent and outputs of several megawatts. Older models often require a mechanical gearbox to keep the generator running at a sufficient speed. However, these gearboxes cause wear and friction losses, which is why a wind turbine without a gearbox is more advantageous, has less energy loss and requires less maintenance.

In addition, there is another form of wind turbine, and that is the wind turbines with vertical axes of rotation. The most common are probably the Savonius or Darrieus rotors, but compared to wind turbines with horizontal axis and three-blade rotor, these achieve a much lower efficiency and are therefore much less effective.

Offshore and onshore – the location decides

Wind turbines are also differentiated in another category. Offshore turbines are mainly built in the coastal foreland of the seas. Their construction requires a higher construction effort than that of onshore turbines. Details: property construction. These are mainly built on the mainland and require less construction work. Offshore plants have a significantly higher number of full load hours than onshore plants on the mainland.

Loss of value due to wind power – why property owners are against renewable energy

Renewable energy from wind power is giving a huge boost to the energy transition in Germany. In 2016 alone, a total of 1,624 new turbines were installed in Germany, 24 percent more than in the previous year. Most of these wind turbines are located in wind farms, but they are also slowly establishing themselves in rural areas. Homeowners often have mixed feelings about this change, as they fear that they will have to accept a loss in the value of their property. Is the concern of property owners justified or do wind farms enhance the quality of life of the residents living in the vicinity?

The fear – Harmful to health & lowering value

Property owners fear that wind farms in the vicinity of residential areas will have a negative impact not only on the quality of life, but also on land prices and property values. This concern is well-founded, as there are several arguments against renewable energy from wind: wind turbines are suspected of being harmful to health. Exposure to audible and low-frequency noise, shadows, light reflection, ice throw and light emission is said to cause sleep and concentration disorders as well as depression. In addition, wind turbines disturb the landscape. The concern, therefore, is that wind turbines close to towns and villages will lead to falling property prices and a decline in new construction. Property owners who regard their property as a retirement provision now fear the value of their investment. Experts confirm that losses of 20 to 30 percent are conceivable. A study by the Agency for Renewable Energies (AEE) has shown that the acceptance of power plants in the residential environment varies greatly. 37 percent of 1000 respondents stated that they had no objections to the erection of a wind turbine in the local environment, while 63 percent of 1000 respondents had no objections to the erection of a solar park. It can therefore be concluded that wind farms enjoy a significantly worse image than solar farms and that renewable energies from wind power are less popular.

The opposite side – what speaks against the fear of property owners?

The proponents of wind turbines see the whole thing a little differently, however, and see no reason for concern. The legal situation offers some regulations that help to keep the loss of value as low as possible. Whether it is the construction of roads, industrial estates or wind turbines, the law not only prescribes a protective distance, but also guarantees noise protection for residents. These regulations ensure that changes to the landscape have minimal impact on property values. The quality of life or value is not affected if the minimum distances and immission values are correctly observed. Another argument from the opposing side states that land prices and property values are affected by many different factors and are therefore constantly subject to change. Whether decreasing values can be directly related to the construction of a wind farm is therefore unclear and cannot be determined.

Conclusion – land value, advantages and disadvantages & the selling price

Whether for or against a wind turbine, the topic undoubtedly holds a lot of potential for discussion. But what does land value really depend on, and do wind farms have anything to do with it? One fact is that the presence of wind farms in the immediate vicinity of the property reduces the potential group of buyers, as there will always be people who do not want to move near such a park. However, a smaller group of buyers does not automatically result in a lower purchase price. The value of the property is influenced by many factors and ultimately results from the interaction of these. So even with an existing wind farm near the property, a good sales price can be achieved if the owner knows his target group and knows how to highlight the advantages of the property. The presence of a wind farm has of course its advantages and disadvantages, but it cannot be said that the presence of such a wind farm is detrimental to the locality.