Stiebel Eltron launches search for Poland's oldest heat pump

Stiebel Eltron, a European manufacturer of heating and ventilation equipment, has launched a campaign to find the oldest continuously operating heat pump in Poland to mark 50 years of mass production in the sector. The company is seeking installations that have been in use for at least 15 years to demonstrate the durability and reliability of their technology.

Parallel research involving over 1,000 devices across six European countries, led by the Fraunhofer ISE, suggests that the age of a building is not a barrier to heat pump adoption. The study indicates that proper installation and settings are more critical to efficiency than the age of the structure. This comes as Poland continues to manage the transition away from approximately 2 million inefficient solid fuel boilers.

Economic data shows that heat pumps remain a competitive heating option, with estimated annual costs for a 150 m² house ranging from 4,700 PLN to 7,200 PLN, compared to higher costs for gas or pellet heating. Despite previous concerns regarding high electricity bills, experts emphasize that correct configuration is key to avoiding excessive costs.