Heat pump or oil heater: An overview of the comparison

Rising energy prices and new climate requirements are putting pressure on traditional heating systems. At the same time, one technology is becoming increasingly important — the heat pump. But what makes them so special? And how does it compare to the tried and tested oil heater? Find out why more and more households rely on this modern heating solution.

🔍 Das Wichtigste im Überblick

  • Wärmepumpen sind effizienter. Sie erzeugen aus 1 kWh Strom mindestens 3,5 kWh Wärme. Eine Ölheizung gewinnt aus 1 kWh Heizöl nur ca. 0,9 kWh Wärme.
  • Wärmepumpen verursachen weniger Betriebskosten, denn sie verbrauchen weniger Energie.
  • Die CO₂-Abgabe verteuert das Heizen mit Öl, während Wärmepumpen unabhängig von Ölpreisen sind.
  • Ölheizungen haben hohe CO₂-Emissionen, während eine Wärmepumpe mit Ökostrom nahezu klimaneutral ist.
  • Wärmepumpen sind teurer in der Anschaffung, allerdings gibt es Förderungen von bis zu 70 %.
  • Ölheizungen sind in Neubauten verboten und alte Kessel müssen schrittweise ersetzt werden.
  • Wärmepumpen gelten als zukunftssicher, sind langfristig wirtschaftlicher und nachhaltiger.

Heat pump or oil heater: An overview

Die heat pump uses environmental energy from air, soil or groundwater and converts it into thermal energy. It only requires electricity as drive energy and generates many times as much heat in the process. Thanks to its high efficiency, it reduces energy consumption and lowers heating costs. Heat pumps are also subsidized by the state and meet the current legal requirements for climate-friendly heating. With a lifespan of up to around 25 years, they offer a long-term, safe and sustainable heating solution for new buildings and modernized existing buildings.

Oil heating systems, on the other hand, burn fossil fuel oil, which results in high CO₂ pollution. The rising CO₂ tax is making heating with oil increasingly expensive, while legal regulations make it difficult to install new oil heating systems. Since heating oil prices are subject to strong fluctuations and fossil fuels are to be replaced in the long term, the future viability of oil heating systems is increasingly being questioned. There are also high maintenance costs for tank cleaning, chimney sweeping and regular inspections. Anyone who uses heating oil must expect rising costs and regulatory restrictions.

The following is a comprehensive comparison of both heating systems:

Eigenschaft Wärmepumpe Gasheizung
Funktionsweise Entzieht Wärme aus Luft, Erde oder Wasser Verbrennt Heizöl zur Wärmeerzeugung
Primärenergie Umweltenergie + Strom Heizöl (fossiler Brennstoff)
Effizienz Jahresarbeitszahl (JAZ) von min. 3,5 Wirkungsgrad ca. 90 %
CO₂-Emissionen 0 kg (bei Nutzung von Ökostrom)
600 – 1.000 kg CO₂ pro Jahr (bei Nutzung von Strommix)
5.000 – 6.500 kg CO₂ pro Jahr
Jährliche Heizkosten 500 – 1.500 € 2.000 – 3.500 €
Anschaffungskosten 15.000 – 30.000 € 10.000 – 18.000 €
Fördermöglichkeiten Zuschüsse von bis zu 70 % möglich Keine
Wartungskosten 100 – 300 € jährlich 300 – 600 € jährlich
Lebensdauer 20 – 30 Jahre 15 – 20 Jahre
Platzbedarf Höher Geringer, aber Öltank nötig
Betriebsabhängigkeit Stromversorgung notwendig, bei Betrieb mit eigener PV-Anlage geringe Versorgungsabhängigkeit Abhängig von Heizölpreisen und Transport
Gesetzliche Vorgaben Erfüllt neue Heizgesetze Einschränkungen für Neubauten und Sanierungen
Zukunftssicherheit Langfristig klimafreundlich und wirtschaftlich Steigende Kosten und regulatorische Unsicherheit

Cost comparison: heat pump vs. oil heater

Die Acquisition costs a heat pump Are between 15,000 and 30,000 eurosthat of an oil heater at 10,000 to 18,000 euros. However, there are state-owned heat pumps Subsidies of up to 70%, which means that actual costs are often lower after deduction of funding.

Die annual heating costs of a heat pump 500 to 1,500 euros, depending on the heat demand and the efficiency of the system. An oil heater, on the other hand, causes 2,000 to 3,500 euros heating costs per year.

Even with the maintenance costs Is the heat pump cheaper. The annual costs are between 100 and 300 euros, while an oil heater with 300 to 600 euros causes higher follow-up costs. There are also potential additional costs for cleaning the oil tank.

Kostenart Wärmepumpe Ölheizung
Anschaffungskosten 15.000 – 30.000 € 2.000 – 3.500 €
Fördermöglichkeiten Zuschüsse von bis zu 70 % möglich 10.000 – 18.000 €
Jährliche Heizkosten 500 – 1.500 € Keine
Jährliche Wartungskosten 100 – 300 € 300 – 600 € jährlich

Comparing efficiency and energy consumption

Die Annual performance figure (JAZ) A heat pump indicates how much heating heat is generated in relation to the amount of electricity used. It is usually included with 3.5 to 5.0, which means that 1 kWh of electricity at least 3.5 kWh of heat delivers. Under ideal conditions, modern heat pumps even achieve values of over 5.0.

An oil heater, on the other hand, works with a Efficiency of up to 90%. That means that from 1 kWh heating oil only around 0.9 kWh heat is won. Older systems in particular lose additional efficiency due to exhaust gas losses.

In a well-insulated new building with 150 m² of living space, a heat pump consumes an average of 3,000 to 4,500 kWh of electricity per year, during an oil heater 18,000 to 25,000 kWh heating oil energy needed. Consumption is increasing significantly in unrenovated old buildings: A heat pump requires 6,500 to 9,500 kWh of electricity, during an oil heater 40,000 to 55,000 kWh heating oil energy consumed.

Gebäudeart Wärmepumpe Ölheizung
Neubau 3.000 – 4.500 kWh 18.000 – 25.000 kWh
Sanierter Altbau 4.000 – 6.000 kWh 25.000 – 35.000 kWh
Teilsanierter Altbau 5.000 – 7.500 kWh 30.000 – 45.000 kWh
Unsanierter Altbau 6.500 – 9.500 kWh 40.000 – 55.000 kWh

Environmental balance: a comparison of CO₂ emissions

The CO₂ emissions of a heat pump depend on the power source. Will she be with green electricity or a photovoltaic system operated, it is almost climate-neutral. Does it draw power from the German network, arise depending on the energy mix 300 to 1,000 kg CO₂ per year.

An oil heater, on the other hand, causes around 350 g CO₂ per kWh, leading to a annual CO₂ emissions of 5,250 to 17,500 kg leads. In addition, the CO₂ tax continue to rise, making heating with oil increasingly expensive in the long term.

Gebäudeart Wärmepumpe Ölheizung
Neubau 300 – 450 kg CO₂/Jahr 5.250 – 7.000 kg CO₂/Jahr
Sanierter Altbau 400 – 600 kg CO₂/Jahr 7.000 – 9.800 kg CO₂/Jahr
Teilsanierter Altbau 500 – 750 kg CO₂/Jahr 9.800 – 12.800 kg CO₂/Jahr
Unsanierter Altbau 650 – 1.000 kg CO₂/Jahr 12.800 – 17.500 kg CO₂/Jahr

Future security: legal requirements and heating replacement

The legal requirements for heating systems in Germany are becoming increasingly strict in order to reduce emissions in the building sector. Pure oil heating systems have been used in new buildings since 2024 no longer allowed. In existing buildings, boilers that are older than 30 years and are operated as constant temperature boilers must be replaced.

Heat pumps, on the other hand, already meet the latest requirements and are considered future-proof heating solution.

Is an oil heater or a heat pump better?

Heat pumps use environmental heat and are not dependent on fossil fuels, whose prices and availability are uncertain. Oil heating systems, on the other hand, cause high CO₂ emissions and are caused by increasing CO₂ taxes more and more expensive. If you want to heat economically and in accordance with the law in the long term, you should switch to a heat pump or other renewable heating technology at an early stage. By government funding programs The changeover can be made financially easier, while there are no funding opportunities for oil heating systems.

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