Electric Heating and Water Heating in Comparison

Water-based heating systems operate on a simple principle. Heated water is transported through a pipe system to the places where heating is needed. There are different types of water-based heating systems. These include floor, wall, or ceiling heating. There are also various construction methods and systems, depending on how the surface heating systems are installed in rooms and which provider is chosen for this. Floor, wall, or ceiling heating work using radiant heat. This means that infrared waves hit unheated surfaces or furnishings, releasing energy in the form of heat. This warms people inside the heated rooms from within. People perceive this form of heat similarly to sunlight and find it particularly pleasant. More on the topic of radiant heat.

Electric heaters, also called electrical heaters or electric heating, generally consist of individual heating elements. These are individually connected to a power source, as the name already suggests. Thanks to the electricity, the heating device begins to warm up and transfers this heat to the room. This means that the electric heating is a decentralized heating system, where each element can be controlled individually. There are different types of electric heating, such as infrared heaters or direct heaters, which also differ in their mode of operation. A classic electric heater works with heating panels that are mounted on the wall or ceiling. Nevertheless, all electric heaters have in common that they are powered by electricity.

The purchase of a new heating system is always an investment, which, depending on the heating system, pays off more or even less in the following years. Therefore, it is all the more important to inform oneself in advance about both acquisition costs and further ongoing costs. While water-based surface heating systems may initially incur slightly higher costs compared to the somewhat cheaper electric heating systems, the acquisition costs are quickly amortized due to much lower operating costs. The exact acquisition costs vary depending on the manufacturer, system, size, and mode of operation. Therefore, a preliminary comparison of the costs is always worthwhile. Both heating systems can be installed very simply and uncomplicatedly. Both water-based and electric surface heating systems can thus be installed without much effort.

In addition to the acquisition costs, the ongoing operating costs are a central point when deciding on a heating system. Therefore, the question arises as to which heating system is more economical in terms of operating costs. Due to generally rising costs and increasingly expensive energy, systems that consume less energy are logically cheaper. This, of course, also depends on the type of energy you use. Electric heaters, in contrast to energy-efficient water-based surface heating systems, are unfortunately true energy guzzlers. Even if electric heaters are cheaper to purchase, significantly higher costs arise during operation. And there is no end in sight to increased electricity prices in the coming years. Operating costs also include regular maintenance costs. With water-based surface heating systems, these are practically zero, and with electric surface heating systems, they are also very low.

In times of climate change, energy-efficient and sustainable heating solutions are the order of the day. Therefore, the question arises whether water-based or electricity-based heating systems offer better energy efficiency. With the various options for electricity-based heating, it depends on the type of heating. Even if sustainable photovoltaics can be used as a basis for electric heating, large power storage and high discharge capacities are needed. This is because the demand for heat is logically greatest in the dark winter. In terms of energy efficiency, electric heaters are more suitable for smaller rooms. The advantage of electric heaters, however, is that they provide heat very quickly. Water-based heating systems, on the other hand, work differently but operate with very low flow temperatures and warm rooms particularly gently. Due to the very low flow temperatures, the energy efficiency is very high – especially in combination with an ecological energy source, such as a heat pump, which not only benefits the environment but also your wallet. In this way, high costs can be sustainably saved with maximum energy efficiency.

Example: A simple example illustrates the advantage of water-based surface heating in combination with a heat pump: While electricity-based heating can achieve 1 unit of heat for 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity, water-based heating with a heat pump can achieve 4 units of heat for 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity.

Whoever has more options available can actively shape things themselves. This also applies to heating. Both heating systems produce no immediate pollutant emissions, but in the case of electric heating, it particularly depends on which energy sources are used for the electricity. Because electric heating relies on electricity, as the name already suggests. Currently, this means high costs and no alternatives for warm rooms during power outages or even blackouts. If the heating is operated with green electricity, such as solar power, this naturally increases its environmental friendliness. Water-based surface heating systems, on the other hand, can use various heat sources. Whether conventional or sustainable heat sources, whether wood, gas, oil, or geothermal energy – water-based heating systems can be operated in different ways. An advantage that creates great security even in turbulent times – and therefore ensures safe warmth within your own four walls.

A heating system that can also cool? Yes, as absurd as that may sound – but it does exist. However, only the water-based surface heating can provide both heating and cooling, unlike the electric heating. While warm water flows through the pipes in winter, cooled water circulates through the surface heating in summer. This means that two functions are combined in just one product. In contrast, electric heating can only do one thing: heat. Water-based surface heating therefore offers pleasant cooling in summer without annoying drafts from air conditioning – and, of course, cozy warmth in winter.

So which heating should you choose? Ultimately, it's about how it feels to live, work, or sleep in heated (or cooled) rooms. Since you can only feel comfort and well-being when you are in the temperature-controlled rooms yourself, it is important to inform yourself well about this point in advance. Electric heaters radiate extremely strongly on their surface. This has the annoying side effect that it becomes uncomfortably hot if you are directly or in the immediate vicinity of the electric heater. Water-based heating and cooling systems work differently – namely with a lot of surface area and radiant heat. This means less concentrated heat and thus an overall more pleasant and much more comfortable feeling. So, in terms of the comfort factor, the water-based heating also wins. 

More on the topic of comfort