Energy: Efficiency, a new ENEA app helps replace boilers with heat pumps

Thanks to the free PDC RISC application, heating your home efficiently is now easier than ever. It allows users to quickly assess whether it is possible to replace a fuel-fired boiler with an electric heat pump without modifying the hydraulic circuit or the radiators, offering significant benefits in terms of higher energy efficiency and improved indoor comfort. The tool was developed by ENEA in collaboration with the University of Padua as part of the Italian National Electricity System Research Programme (RdS).

'Don't wait until winter to figure out how to heat your home efficiently,' advises Nicolandrea Calabrese, head of the ENEA Laboratory for energy efficiency in buildings and urban development. 'To achieve the best results in terms of both efficiency and cost savings, it is essential to plan any interventions carefully and well in advance.' Of course, the feasibility or complexity of the work depends on several factors, including the type of existing system, the characteristics of the building, the local climate, and individual heating needs. This is precisely the issue that the tool addresses,” Calabrese continues.

The tool is designed for inhabited residential buildings that have undergone energy retrofitting for at least one year, are equipped with an autonomous heating system and have a traditional boiler connected to radiators. The application requires information such as annual fuel bills (e.g. natural gas or heating oil).

Thanks to its simple and intuitive interface, the app minimises potential errors. The required input data includes building details, envelope characteristics (e.g. window geometry and type), boiler and radiator specifications, and energy consumption. Once entered, the web tool assesses the feasibility of replacing the boiler and provides an estimate of the potential energy and economic savings, as well as the amount of avoided CO₂ emissions.

Heat pumps are an advanced solution for heating, cooling and producing domestic hot water. Furthermore, when integrated with a photovoltaic system, they can reduce operating costs and CO₂ emissions even further. “The tool will also provide information on the technical specifications of the photovoltaic system necessary to meet the heat pump's electricity demand,” Calabrese explains.

At the end of the analysis, a downloadable report containing all the estimates is generated for the user. Even if replacing the boiler is not feasible, the report includes a list of possible energy efficiency measures that could enable the replacement. 'Clearly, the tool provides general guidance and non-exhaustive suggestions on how to improve the energy performance of the system. For detailed planning of the intervention, it is always advisable to consult a qualified professional,” Calabrese concludes.