How efficiently do heat pumps work
A Europe-wide field study by ETH Zurich reveals significant differences in the efficiency of heat pumps. Many systems do not run optimally - often due to incorrect settings. Digital control systems should provide a remedy.
Heat pumps are considered a key technology for the energy transition in the building sector. But how efficiently do they work in everyday life? Researchers at ETH Zurich have analyzed 1023 systems in ten European countries over a period of two years as part of the largest field study to date. The results show that actual efficiency varies greatly, with a number of dramatic deviations from the technical standards.
Misconfiguration and oversizing
Many heat pumps are incorrectly set up or oversized. The heating curve is often set too high, night setbacks lead to unnecessary additional heating and high heating limits extend running times. In Switzerland, 41% of the systems tested were found to have an excessive temperature range. 17 % of the air source heat pumps in the international study were even below the applicable efficiency standards.
Digital tools as a solution
The researchers are calling for uniform European standards for the digital monitoring of heat pumps. Intelligent control systems and algorithms could continuously analyse operating efficiency and provide suggestions for optimization. Initial pilot projects with smart meters and AI-supported data evaluation in Switzerland confirm this potential.
Efficiency increases acceptance
Efficient operation not only reduces electricity consumption, but also increases confidence in the technology. This is crucial for establishing heat pumps as a climate-friendly solution across the board. The ETH studies show that the technology is ready; what is needed now are standards, monitoring and greater awareness of its operation.