Status: 17.10.2023, 19:17 PM
By: Ulrike Hagen
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Stiftung Warentest tested six air-to-water heat pumps and compared their electricity costs. One model was particularly convincing.
Berlin – The endless, tough struggle over the Building Energy Act and the polemical debates about the resulting exploding costs for owners despite generous subsidies have unsettled homeowners. There are still many prejudices against heat pumps circulating, and experts have to explain misconceptions again and again. Quite a few have therefore decided to return to fossil fuels. Analyses have shown that the heat pump is significantly cheaper than natural gas.
Stiftung Warentest has now also taken a close look at the most common heat pump models – and attested to their consistently solid results, albeit with differences – especially in terms of energy efficiency and electricity consumption. One model was particularly convincing in the test.
According to experts, heat pumps are significantly cheaper than gas heating systems in the long term. © Daniel Reinhardt /dpa
The big heat pump test – This is how well the German models perform in comparison
For the first time, the consumer organisation has examined air-to-water heat pumps, the most common type of appliance in Germany. For the test, the outdoor units were placed in a cold chamber and exposed to different temperatures – from plus 12 to minus 15 degrees Celsius. The pumps had to reach a flow temperature of 55 degrees. The flow temperature is crucial because it indicates how warm the water is in the heating system before it flows through the heating pipes.
Stiftung Warentest examines air-to-water heat pumps – these are the test winners:
- 1. Viessmann Vitocal 250 A AWO-E-AC 250.A10, overall rating "good", grade 2.1
- 2. Wolf CHA-10/400, overall rating "good", grade 2.3
- 3. Stiebel Eltron WPL-A 07 HK 230 Premium, overall rating "good", grade 2.4
On top of that, the refrigerants in the heat pumps were analysed and calculated what greenhouse effect these agents would have if they were to escape. In addition, the maximum noise level of the heat pumps was included in the evaluations – both in normal operation and in "silent mode". Last but not least, Stiftung Warentest took a look at data protection, as smart heat pumps diligently collect data from their users.
Heat pumps put to the test: Appliances are convincing – but efficiency differences of up to 600 euros per year
The decisive criterion in the test and a parameter that owners should pay particular attention to before switching to heat pumps: the efficiency of the appliances, i.e. the electricity consumption during ongoing heating operation. The values in terms of energy performance and environmental characteristics in operation accounted for 70 percent of the overall score.
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In an averagely insulated house with 140 square meters of living space, the most efficient heat pump – the Vitocal 250-A AWO-E-AC 251.A10 from Viessmann, the clear test winner – required less than 5,000 kilowatt hours per year, while the less efficient model consumed more than 6,500 kilowatt hours per year. With an electricity price of 40 cents per kilowatt hour, this results in a difference of over 600 euros per year.
Heat pump as CO₂ centrifuge: Criticism of climate-damaging refrigerants
Three of the heat pumps tested use the climate-friendly refrigerant propane, while the pumps from Daikin and Mitsubishi used the potentially climate-damaging R32. This has a greenhouse effect similar to 2.2 tons of CO₂ per year and is therefore harmful to the environment.
Heat pumps put to the test: Appliances are convincing – but efficiency differences of up to 600 euros per year
Another important criterion was the volume of the devices. Four of the models tested performed well, while two achieved a satisfactory result. However, some tricks help to reduce the volume of the heat pump, according to consumer advocates. For example, soundproof hoods and special feet can help to dampen noise and vibrations
Stiftung Warentest: German models come out on top in heat pump test
The products of the three German manufacturers performed best: The Viessmann pump received an overall score of 2.1 as the test winner, the CHA-10/400V model from Wolf received a 2.3 and the WPL-A 07 HK 230 Premium from Stiebel Eltron received a 2.4.
Of the six models tested, four performed well, while the Daikin and Mitsubishi pumps received a "satisfactory" rating. The full test result is available in the October issue of test magazine as well as on the website of Stiftung Warentest.