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Image: MichaelTampakakis / pixabay.com – – – –
Those who want to do without a new heating system for the time being can lower their energy requirements by installing efficient radiators and save in the long term. Since summer is the ideal time of year for replacing old radiators, homeowners should now grapple with the installation and act.
Calculate costs
In order for the installation of new and more efficient radiators to make economic sense, a careful price comparison must be made before purchasing. So-called panel radiators are available relatively inexpensively and are often equipped with several connections, making it easier to replace their predecessors.
What does a radiator cost?
The costs per piece start – depending on the size and model – at around 50 euros and can go into the four-digit range. When comparing, therefore, not only offers from specialist companies, but also alternative providers should be included. It is possible that the parts for the heating system can be obtained more cheaply from hardware stores and only have experts commissioned to assemble them in order to reduce investment costs. Compared to standard products from specialist retailers, which often cost at least 300 euros, households can, among other things with the radiators from toom hardware storethat start at less than 50 euros, make use of a savings potential that should not be underestimated. The online guide of the aforementioned hardware store also recommends flat or panel radiators: “The heat output is significantly higher than that of the old sectional radiators and consists of more than 50 percent radiant heat, which warms rooms particularly pleasantly and sustainably.” Households let old sectional radiators through Replacing modern panel radiators can result in energy savings of up to 30 percent.
What does the assembly cost?
Households should budget at least 50 euros per radiator for dismantling the old energy dispenser and installing it, including the connection. However, depending on the time required, 150 euros and more per piece are also conceivable.
Secure a grant from federal funding for efficient buildings
In order to motivate homeowners to take energetically sensible measures and ultimately to achieve the climate protection goals, the government has developed funding offers. Households can secure a subsidy of at least 20 percent for the installation of low-temperature radiators, for example. The Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG) is responsible for this.
Optimization of the heating system – funded by KfW (from 1.07.21 BEG)
The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) also provides funding when existing heating systems are optimized with new radiators. Among other things, the low-interest promotional loan “Energy-efficient renovation – credit (151, 152)” – although this will only be granted until June 30, 2021. Afterwards, interested parties can claim the new loan for residential buildings (261, 262) through the federal subsidy for efficient buildings. Details can be found on the KfW website.
The hydraulic balancing
How much energy a household consumes depends not only on the type of radiator, but also on the heat distribution within the living area. In existing buildings, older heating systems often have the problem that the distance between the radiator and the heating system has a negative impact on energy consumption. It is not uncommon for models that are mounted further away to be turned up a lot in order to achieve the desired room temperature – radiators that are a short distance from the heart of the system again become too hot.
If new radiators are used in such a system, the unnecessary energy consumption can increase. Hydraulic balancing can help. This process eliminates the uneven temperature distribution, which can reduce heating costs by several hundred euros a year.
Good to know: Although hydraulic balancing also costs money – in some cases over 400 euros – the investment can be amortized after just a few years thanks to the considerable savings.
How big does a radiator have to be?
A question that many consumers ask in sales discussions with heating professionals. However, it is not the size of the radiator that is decisive. Whether a heating system works efficiently and effectively warms the room depends instead on the heating output of the radiators. This value is given in kilowatt hours. In addition, factors such as the substance of the property or the energetic conditions as well as the size of the room have an influence.
DANGER: Do-it-yourselfers without sufficient specialist knowledge should have the installation done by experts.
The Federal Association of the German Heating Industry (BDH) explains how old radiators can be replaced by new ones in six steps:
Information for tenancies: Who will pay the CO2 surcharge in the future?
Politicians are still debating whether landlords and tenants will have to share the CO2 surcharge on heating costs in the future. While the federal government is planning the equal division, this is rejected by the Union parliamentary group. How the Tagesschau reported at the beginning of June 2021, the Union parliamentary group regards the plans as a “fundamental breach of the polluter pays principle” and as unfair to landlords. The other side argues that landlords decide on the installation of new heating systems and that it is accordingly more equitable for both parties to contribute to the CO2 tax. It remains to be seen whether an agreement will be reached before the general election in September.
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