A survey carried out at the request of Ariston Romania regarding the population’s perception of heat pumps shows that this technology enjoys growing popularity, low utility costs and low electricity consumption, ease of use in areas without access to gas networks and multiple use (heating, cooling and domestic hot water production) being the main factors that attract consumers.
Less than 5% of respondents currently own a heat pump system, but 43% of respondents are considering purchasing one. About 40% say that if the state provided a subsidy system, they would equip their home with such a device.
The main criteria that matter when purchasing a heat pump for most respondents would be low utility costs (78.26%), ease of use in areas where there is no access to gas networks (54.11%) and multiple use: heating , cooling and domestic hot water production (56.52%).
“According to Ariston’s estimates, Romania is in the last places in terms of owning heat pumps, but the results of the study confirm that, although we are talking about a technology that is still in its infancy in Romania, there is an increased interest of consumers for such a solution. The purchase of a system that ensures the thermal comfort of the home is an important decision, which requires both good information and a significant investment. From this point of view, a state subsidy system is needed. The installation of heat pumps brings benefits both in terms of environmental protection and the efficient consumption of resources, so that the measure would be advantageous not only for the population, but also for the Romanian state,” said Cătălin Drăguleanu, Senior Director of Ariston Romania.
Information – key element in the purchase of heat pumps
Beyond the initial investment, more than half (58%) of respondents who do not own a heat pump cited a lack of information as the main reason why they have not yet made the purchase. Their answers, however, show that they are familiar with the basic principles of pump operation but, indeed, less knowledgeable about the details of design and installation. Also, the answers given also show that the respondents correctly perceived the pumps as a technology of the future, they pointed out as the main reasons for purchasing such a system the fact that it does not pollute (47.5%) and that it includes connectivity, i.e. the fact that the product can be connected to the Internet and controlled remotely, through an application (34.5%).
For the majority of respondents (77.5%) heat pumps are suitable for houses, while only 10% consider that they can represent an individual solution for a block apartment. Regarding when a heat pump can be installed in a home, 70% believe that the installation should be included from the beginning in the construction plan of the house. Ariston experts say, however, that heat pumps are an efficient and sustainable solution for both houses and blocks of flats, and their installation can be done at any time. However, there are certain conditions that should be met for the product to have maximum efficiency (for example, the home has underfloor heating).
For more than 43% of respondents it is unclear whether the installation of a heat pump in the home requires prior approval or not. About 27.2% of subjects know that no authorization is required, while 28.9% believe that obtaining prior approval is necessary. In reality, the process is similar to that of installing a thermal power plant, and it is recommended to work with authorized installation companies, which can do the necessary formalities.
The data presented are included in a survey carried out at the request of Ariston Romania on a sample of 1,047 people, mostly urban public with higher education and average or above average incomes.
