House heating - Which system should I choose?

How old is your house?

Heating systems have developed rapidly over the past few decades as energy efficiency becomes a higher priority. Therefore, there is a dramatic difference between a house built in the 60s and one 40 years later.

Houses built before the 1970s

Most houses built during this time were or are still poorly insulated. They usually also have natural ventilation through channels in the chimney. The heating system is mostly water-based with an older oil, wood, pellet, or electric boiler with high energy consumption.

Houses built in the 1970s

Even houses built in the 70s are often poorly insulated with natural draft and high energy consumption. These houses are usually heated via direct-acting electric radiators and electric water heaters with high energy consumption. If you live in a house from the 70s with this heating system, it is probably time to change.

Houses built during the transition between the 1970s/80s

If you live in a house built at the end of the 70s or just at the beginning of the 80s, the house probably has better insulation than an older one. However, the heating systems in these houses are mostly worse than in modern villas. The houses have mechanical ventilation or fans without recovery. The system is water-based with an electric boiler that has a fairly high energy consumption. What can be seen is that houses with this type of heating system usually have higher energy consumption than modern houses.

Houses built in the 1980s or later

New building regulations were introduced in 1982. Houses that were built this year or later usually have good heating systems, good insulation, and exhaust air heat pumps. They also have mechanical ventilation or fans with recovery. The houses also have a water-based heating system and they have exhaust air heat pumps or district heating exchangers with relatively low energy consumption. Here you can lower costs just by reducing your everyday energy consumption.

Alternatives for heating systems – the cheapest heating for houses

Is it time to change the heating system for your house? Below are suggestions for some of the best and cheapest options. Completely change or find a complement to your current heating system. To further optimize heating systems and reduce energy costs, a wireless shunt automation can be a smart investment. Read more in our article about how ESBE CRB221 wireless shunt automation can contribute to energy-efficient heating.

Pellet burning

By switching from direct electric and oil or other older heating systems to a pellet installation, you can significantly reduce your costs. What is required is a pellet installation that is optimized for your home and your needs. Moreover, you need a pellet burner and boiler with a long lifespan. To maximize the effect of pellet burning, it is possible to combine the installation with an accumulator tank and solar panels. Then you can save up to 20% pellets per year.

Pellet boilers are the best heating for old houses

If you live in an older house with an old oil, wood, pellet, or electric boiler, it might be a good idea to replace it with a new and more energy-efficient pellet boiler. If you have waterborne heating elements in the house, these can easily be connected to the pellet boiler. Pellet burners can be installed on most older boilers intended for oil or wood. Of course, there are also boilers that are optimized for pellets. Check out Ulma's large selection of pellet boilers. Even in houses heated directly by electricity, you can use pellet burning as a heating system.

You could also install a pellet stove as a complement to direct electric heating. A pellet stove has a built-in circulation fan that spreads heat. The stove can cover up to 70 percent of the heating needs in an average-sized house. The pellet stove is also a cozy way to heat the house during winter. Install a pellet stove in your newly built house as a complement to the existing heating system, to reduce your energy consumption. See Ulma's range of pellet stoves.

District heating

District heating is cheaper than direct electric heating. If you want to switch from direct electric to district heating, you need a new district heating central unit and connect to the district heating network. You also need to change your radiators and install a waterborne system.

If you live in a house built during the transition between the 1970s/80s that is heated with an electric boiler, one option is to switch to district heating. District heating has a lower price per consumed kWh than electric heating. However, remember that the price differs between different parts of the country. The connection cost can be very high, and you need to pay for the connection and installation of the district heating central unit yourself.

Heat pump

In houses built during the 1980s or later, the heat pump is a common system for heating. The heat pump reduces operating costs compared to direct electric heating, electric boilers, and oil heating. However, the investment costs are high. There are different types of heat pumps; ground source heat pump, air-to-water heat pump, exhaust air heat pump, and air-to-air heat pump. The cheapest option is the air-to-air heat pump. It can be used as a complement in a house with direct electric heating. However, the pump is not optimal for heating a house as the efficiency decreases with the outdoor temperature.

If you want to learn more about heating systems? Read our guide to the cheapest heating system.

Lower heating costs with complementary heat sources

With a complementary heat source, you can reduce the costs of heating your house. Below we go through some of the most profitable complements.

1. Pellet stove

A pellet stove is a type of fireplace that burns pellets. Fill it with pellets and then let the burning be handled automatically. A pellet stove can heat up to 70% of an average-sized house – in other words, you can significantly reduce other heating costs for your home.

2. Solar energy

Solar cells convert solar energy into electricity and solar collectors convert solar energy into heat. Solar energy has a low operating cost and is environmentally friendly. However, the installation of, for example, solar collectors represents a significant investment. In addition, the batteries for the solar cells are expensive. Combine solar cells with a pellet installation to reduce costs.

3. Underfloor heating

With underfloor heating, it is possible to lower the indoor temperature without affecting the comfort and coziness of the house. However, the right insulation and type of floor are required for underfloor heating to work optimally.

4. Wood stove

A wood stove is a traditional and cozy way to heat your home. With the option to choose from several styles, including the elegant cast iron stove or the more compact small wood stove, wood stoves provide an efficient heat source. The installation of a wood stove requires careful planning and knowledge to ensure optimal function and safety. Visit our page on wood stoves to explore our range and learn more about installation.

Heating houses with pellets or wood – get help from Ulma

At Ulma, you can buy several heating products adapted for heating with pellets. Our main goal is to produce heating products within bioenergy, and especially in the pellet market. Today we sell everything from pellet burners to pellet boilers, hot air boilers and pellet stoves, but also wood stoves, wood cookers and spare parts for our heating products.

If you have questions about pellet burning or our products, you are warmly welcome to contact us at +46 (0)325 - 176 80.