Energy generation and suitable heating options in European homes

Considering the current soaring prices of energy and gas in Europe, there is a lot of talk about optimizing the power sources and reducing the reliance on gas and oil. Solar collectors, heating with wood, using environmental heat with a heat pump - there are many methods of generating and supplying a house with energy. On an average, 85% of energy in a private household in Europe is used for heating and hot water. Thus, it is important to consider the generation and use of energy in relation to the heating systems.

Which system to use for generating energy?

Energy systems choices can depend on the preferred heating system. Underfloor heating and wall radiator systems are the most commonly used surface heating systems. Choice of energy generation can be based on the temperature of the heat carrier that flows through the pipes.

With underfloor heating, the flow temperature is between 30 and 40 °C. All systems can therefore be used to generate energy. With radiators, water at around 45 to 60 °C flows through the pipes. As a result, heat pumps and solar collectors are more suitable for energy supply.

Regenerative Energy

The sun supplies us with energy, but there is also energy in the earth and even in the air. It can be converted to use it for households. Homes have the option for regenerative and renewable sources of energy.

Solar collectors:  A flat or vacuum tube collector extracts heat from the sun's rays. The heat transfer medium (e.g. water) then flows through a heat exchanger, which either stores heat, transfers it to surface heating (e.g. underfloor heating) or uses it for hot water. Of course, solar panels only work when the sun is shining.

Photovoltaics: Solar cells convert light energy into electrical energy, with help of an inverter. This is converted into alternating current. The electricity can be used directly, stored in a battery or fed into the grid. Electricity that is not used directly can be stored virtually in a solar electricity account for later use. Electricity is suitable for heating with electric underfloor heating or infrared heaters.

Heat pump: It harnesses heat from the air, groundwater or the ground. Theenvironmental heat contained in these energy sources is used to heat a refrigerant. The refrigerant gradually evaporates. The steam is additionally compressed and thus further heated. When it reaches the desired temperature, a heat exchanger transfers it to the heating water. It is important to consider that the heat pump consumes electricity during operation.

Wood pellets: As a renewable raw material, wood is also one of the inexpensive regenerative energies. Pellet heating systems can be operated with condensing technology and have a very high level of efficiency. Of course, storage space is required for the pellets, with around one cubic meter needed for each kilowatt of heating load.

Fossil energy production

Majority of European households are currently heated with gas and oil.

Gas is still the most popular way to heat houses and water. Conveniently, the gas connection is usually already in the street, so the gas line only needs to be extended into the building services room. The technology is mature, reliable and quite inexpensive to purchase and install. Any installer can install a gas boiler.

Oil has been used extensively in the past to generate energy. Climate protection agenda demands restricting further oil-based installations and many European countries intend to phase out oil based heating with hybrid heating systems that integrate renewable energies, for example with a heat pump or solar system.

LPG is a by-product of petroleum refining. Especially in rural areas or in houses that are far away from the infrastructure but can still be reached by truck. LPG can be an alternative for heat generation. This requires an above-ground or underground tank.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is an important consideration, keeping in mind the constantly rising prices for oil and gas as well as the planned CO2 tax. This can be achieved with proper planning.

Better insulation ensures that heating consumes less energy and the heating system can therefore be made smaller. Modernization of old buildings can also increase energy efficiency.

District heating networks and connection are also effective in communities. In a combined heat and power plant, energy is generated using biomass, waste or fossil fuels, and the heat flows directly into the house or apartment through well-insulated pipes.  

Electrical heating that was considered environmentally harmful and expensive, is becoming attractive now. This can be obtained, for example, with the help of photovoltaic cells on a home roof. In well-insulated houses, classic heating is sometimes dispensed with. On cold days, an infrared radiator or electric underfloor heating can heat up the rooms.

Conclusion

Selecting the right source of energy and the best heating methods along with energy efficient planning can go a long way in cutting down the over reliance on fossil fuels (oil and gas) and help Europe plan a self-reliant and energy efficient future.