Why Your Heating System Is Driving Up Your Power Bill (And What to Do Instead)

Are your power and gas bills going up every year?

Your home heating system might be costing more to run than you realise.

A recent study from the Technical University of Munich in Germany compared 13 different heating systems under the same home and usage conditions.

The result was clear:

Air-to-water heat pump + solar PV delivered the best overall performance for long-term cost and environmental impact.

Key takeaways:

▪️ ~6% lower total lifecycle cost

▪️ ~17% lower overall environmental impact (vs modern gas boiler systems)

Photo on the left:

Warmth NZ R290 Heat Pump for hydronic underfloor heating systems.

Energy use comparison:

▪️ Traditional gas/diesel boiler: ~8,500–12,000+ kWh/year

▪️ Heat pump system: ~2,100–3,300 kWh/year

▪️ Add rooftop solar: ~11,800 kWh/year generation (use your own power and reduce high energy costs)

Although the research was carried out in Germany, the findings are highly relevant to New Zealand. Hydronic heat pump systems are already widely used there, and home heating requirements are similar in many ways.

Thinking about upgrading your heating or building new? Contact us today — we’re happy to help you work out what makes sense for your home.

Full report:

Environmental, economic, and eco-efficiency assessment of residential heating systems for low-rise buildings