SUPPORT OF HEATING INSTALLATIONS BY MEANS OF FIREPLACES

Abstract

For several years, condensing gas boilers or heat pumps have been the most common heat sources of choice in buildings in Poland. Constantly rising energy and fuel prices translate into high operating costs for these devices. The most-expensive currently is heating with gas and electricity. In order to reduce costs, hybrid solutions are increasingly being used. An effective solution is the use of wood-burning fireplaces to support heating systems. The use of a mantel or post-air fireplace can reduce gas or electricity consumption, while providing an emergency heat source. A mantle fireplace can be combined with a water system powered by a condensing gas boiler or an air-to-water heat pump.  There is also the possibility of installing fireplaces that are not connected to installations, but heat the rooms in which they are located. The use of fireplaces not only reduces costs. Wood, which is the cheapest raw material on the market, is also a renewable source of energy, and when burned is low in emissions. This allows to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the environment. The choice of a particular solution should be based on analyses of, first of all, the technical condition of the building, its energy class or expected results. Failure to adapt to existing conditions can generate excessive costs. Properly selected equipment is important for proper operation of the system. Using correctly designed hybrid systems, heating costs can be reduced significantly. This paper shows what effect the construction of a building made to WT2008 and WT2021 standards and the cooperation of the installation with a water jacketed fireplace has on heating costs.