Is the surcharge for an air-to-water heat pump justified compared to gas?

The 20 years are not reached, however, because most people never maintain their heat pump.

This is also a problem regarding noise development, which we took into account during our property search. It may be that some models are not initially disturbing to the neighbor in all cases, but if no maintenance is carried out, they become increasingly louder.

There are basically two points of view: From an economic perspective, it takes forever at today's prices to recoup the additional investment. And even if the surcharge is nonsensical, as a customer you can hardly do anything about it. On the other hand, the current route is away from fossil fuels. This is also controlled through things like the CO2 tax. Personal opinion (!): I would not install any heating system other than a heat pump nowadays for heating, unless there is no other option. The path is clear, away from fossil fuels. For amortization calculations, one should actually consider the increasing CO2 tax, etc., as well as fluctuating electricity prices. But I would definitely rely on electricity, since DE can basically produce it itself, and to some extent even the individual can. In contrast, gas has to be imported, and how quickly the price fluctuates (when there is a conflict in world politics) can be seen clearly at the moment. There is also a topic about gas price increases here.

Yes, I know it like that too. Maintenance is rarely done, and after 20 years at the latest, the devices are worn out. If they haven’t already given up before that.

I am always surprised by these reference values. Have these devices (air-water heat pumps now) even existed that long, and in today’s market maturity? You can’t really compare a gas boiler from 1991 with one from 2015. I wonder if the same applies to heat pumps. Those would have to be very early devices if they have already lasted 20 years now?

Well, heat pumps contain compressors. Anyone who has a refrigerator knows what that means. I think the same rule applies here: A refrigerator made in 1980 lasted 30-40 years. And a refrigerator (or compressor) made in 2022 will probably die just after the warranty period (usually 10-15 years) :)

So much for sustainability...

I always wonder about these reference values. Do these devices (air-to-water heat pumps now) even exist for that long, and in their current market maturity?

I'll put it this way, the technology is nothing new at all. It is who says it's just a refrigerator turned upside down. What has happened in the last 30 years is only the increase in efficiency of the systems at the expense of durability. How long refrigerators have existed, you know yourself... and yes, nowadays, generally far too small compressors are installed so that they do not last 30-40 years, but instead wear out much earlier and need to be replaced. Heat pumps are by no means an exception.

I am always surprised by these reference values. Have these devices (air-to-water heat pump now) even been around that long, and in their current market maturity?

A few years ago, there was a study from Switzerland. It states a lifespan of 20 years for air-to-water heat pumps; currently, people talk about 15-20 years for these devices (with maintenance – whatever that means – even longer is possible). But this refers to normally running devices, not constantly cycling machines that cause high wear and tear. Ground-water heat pumps, having been on the market even longer, had a lifespan of 27 years. In this respect, one could say that a heat pump has the same lifespan as a gas boiler or similar.