2 June 2025
When faced with the choice of the method of heating the house, many people have a dilemma - there are many solutions available, which does not make it easier to make a decision. Factors that affect the final choice are, first of all, the costs resulting from the purchase of a heating device and fees related to operation. The comfort of use and the environmental impact should also be no less important.
Among the available solutions for heating the house are heat pumps and pellet stoves. If you are faced with the choice of these two heating systems, you will probably be eager to find out what their advantages and disadvantages are, and what is more profitable - pellets or a heat pump?
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is a heating device that uses renewable energy sources for its trowel. It takes thermal energy from the environment - from the ground, from water or from the air, and then, through a working medium, directs to the heating system inside the building. In 75%, the heat pump is supplied with energy from natural resources, only 25% requiring electricity. However, electricity consumption per heat pump can be radically reduced by deciding to invest in a photovoltaic installation (which provides free electricity, making the heat pump a cost-free device).
In recent years, heat pumps have gained enormous popularity, which is associated with their high efficiency, energy efficiency, low operating costs and the lack of negative impact on the natural environment. Thanks to heat pumps, it is possible to ensure high thermal comfort, as well as the convenience of using users, because it is a fully automated and maintenance-free system.
Advantages of heat pump installation
By choosing a heat pump, a multifunctional device is obtained - it is not only a source of heat in the building, but can also be used to prepare domestic hot water, as well as to cool rooms, acting as a replacement for air conditioning. What are the other advantages of heat pumps?
- Energy efficiency – the heat pump is one of the most energy-efficient heating systems,
- Ecology – no harmful substances are emitted during operation of the device, including carbon dioxide, and the pump uses renewable energy sources,
- safety - using the pump does not pose a fire or poisoning hazard,
- Convenience of use – the system is maintenance-free and automated, there is no need to clean it or replenish it with fuel,
- low operating costs,
- Can be installed in new and modernized construction
- simple and non-invasive assembly and small dimensions (especially in the case of air heat pumps),
- quick return on investment - after about 5-7 years,
- Possibility to obtain funding for the investment.
Cons of heat pumps
Heat pumps are not without drawbacks. These include, among others
- Purchase price and assembly - although prices are systematically decreasing, the initial costs of investments in a heat pump may be a barrier for many investors (air heat pump costs about PLN 30-40 thousand, and a ground heat pump - PLN 60-80 thousand)
- dependence of the operation on the consumption of electricity,
- a decrease in performance associated with a decrease in outside temperatures - in the case of air heat pumps, in particular the cheapest and low-quality,
- They have the best heat pump performance with low-temperature sheath heating, such as underfloor heating.
Pellet - what is it?
Pellet is a fuel made from biomass, with a solid form, most often in the form of granules. It is made of pressed sawdust and wood chips. Pellet is one of the most effective sources of heating.
In single-family houses, it is possible to install a pellet stove, which provides heating of the house. The stove should be equipped with appropriate filters that reduce the amount of gases produced in the combustion process, and also have the appropriate size. It provides efficient and ecological heating of the house.
Pellet stove - advantages
Modern pellet stoves are fully automated devices that allow for efficient and ecological heating of the house. They can be activated at the touch of a button, and within a few minutes the water in the radiators or in the underfloor heating heats up, ensuring thermal comfort. They also have an uncomplicated structure, so they are relatively easy to mount.
What are the advantages of a pellet heating system?
- Ecology – the pellet stove uses biomass and its action is associated with low CO2 emissions,
- Biodegradability – pellets are biodegradable and ash can be used as a fertilizer,
- Ease of use - pellet stoves are easy to use - they do not require manual lighting, the biomass is self-ignited,
- Cleanliness – the form of the granules ensures cleanliness during its replenishment,
- Possibility of installation in new and modernized construction,
- small size and aesthetic appearance,
- High performance even at low outdoor temperatures.
Pellet stove - disadvantages
However, the pellet stove has its drawbacks. These include:
- the need to replenish pellets and clean the stove every few days (cleaning ensures good quality of work),
- The high cost of the device - about 10 thousand. PLN in the case of modern and automated boilers,
- high-quality 1 class pellet prices, which translates best into the effective operation of this type of heating system,
- the need for a large space for a device equipped with a container, as well as storing pellets,
- the risk of damage to the boiler as a result of the use of industrial pellets,
- the need for regular maintenance of the stoves.
Heat pump or pellets - which solution is more profitable?
Ensuring heating of the building is associated with the necessity to incur certain costs, therefore the choice of the heating system at the stage of construction or modernization of the house is of great importance. Which heating device is more profitable - a heat pump or a pellet? And which, for various reasons, is better to decide?
In the previous part of the article, the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions are indicated and it cannot be denied that in comparison the heat pump is better than a pellet stove. First of all, the heat pump is currently the cheapest and most efficient system of heating and domestic water heating. Compared to the costs of heating with a heat pump, the cost of heating with pellets is much higher. The cost of heating a house 120 m2 in the case of a heat pump is about PLN 1,500 per year, while pellets are about PLN 2,500 per year.
It is also possible to reduce expenses related to the operation of the heat pump even to zero - the way to do this is to combine its operation with a photovoltaic installation, which ensures the supply of free electricity (which is the only cost of operating a heat pump).
The heat pump is also a fully automated and maintenance-free device - only the temperature appropriate for household members is set on it. Meanwhile, pellet stoves require specific work - adding fuel to the boiler, regular cleaning and maintenance from time to time. In the case of boilers, it is also necessary to provide a place for storing fuel, as well as having a flue chimney and separating the room for a boiler room. The heat pump can be placed in virtually any room. The heat pump also does not generate any waste, while the stove must be cleaned of ash.
The installation of a heat pump is also associated with ecology - during their operation, they do not emit harmful substances, while pellets emit impurities - although in a small amount. Heat pump heating is therefore better for the environment.
Heat pumps are also multifunctional - they not only provide heat, heat domestic water, but also cool on hot summer days. The pellet boiler has only the function of heating and heating domestic water.
An additional advantage is the possibility of applying for funding for the purchase and installation of both an air heat pump and a ground heat pump under the Clean Air program. Obtaining funding for a pellec stove, in turn, requires the device to meet certain conditions.
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