Quick comparison of the real cost of use (excluding investment) of different energies.

This is a quick comparison of the real cost of the following energies: geothermal, wood energy, agro fuel (for farmers), gas, fuel oil, coal and 100% electricity.

Important preliminary remarks:

• the prices are indicated TTC (except agrofuels), excluding depreciation and maintenance of the installation.
• by real cost we mean the price related to useful energy and not gross, that is to say that the efficiency of the installation is included in the calculations.
• the price of energy being very variable from one period to another, this document allows simply to have comparative orders of magnitude.
• this article allowshelp in the choice of one energy or another.
• you can redo the calculations with the real and effective price of your energies.

Note regarding subscriptions (electricity and gas): the real cost is an equalization between the price of the energy source reduced per kWh and the efficiency of the heating device to which must be added the fixed costs (specific subscriptions):
- cost of the annual EDF 12 kVA double tariff subscription = € 274,
- 12 kVA single tariff = 61 €.
However, since the basic subscription is also used for other electricity consumption items anyway, only the additional subscription costs should be taken into account. (double tariff - increase in power, etc.). This difference of € 213 corresponds to approximately 4800 kWh of wood pellets or 8520 kWh of wood.

More: download a Comparative dynamics of energy prices.

These figures are largely from the document: thermal balance of a private individual house which was inspired by ADEME and various sources from 2004 to 2006.

1) Geothermal energy

The prices for using geothermal energy seem very attractive but do not take into account the often very high cost of installation and maintenance!

Simple air / air heat pump
0,11 € / kWh
Overall yield: 3,19
Actual cost: 0,034 € / kWh

Single price water / water heat pump
0,11 € / kWh
Overall performance: 2,23
Actual cost: 0,049 € / kWh

2) Wood energy: logs or pellets

Wood may seem like an inexpensive energy at first glance, but pay attention to the yields of the installations, the quality of the wood and the prices of “industrial” products such as pellets. For example, an open fireplace with catastrophic performance is an energy luxury ...

Beware of wood prices: they vary a lot from one region or period to another.

Wood chip boiler
46 € / ton
calorific value: 2500 kWh / ton.
0,0184 € / kWh
Overall yield: 80%
Actual cost: 0,023 € / kWh

Boiler with wood chips
20 € the 3 m300 kg
calorific value: 2500 kWh / ton.
0,0267 € / kWh
Overall yield: 80%
Actual cost: 0,033 € / kWh

Bulk wood pellet boiler
200 € / T
calorific value: 4500 kWh / ton.
0,044 € / kWh
Overall yield: 80%
Actual cost: 0,055 € / kWh

Pellet stove fueled bag (5 € for 15kg)
330 € per ton
heating value: 4500 kWh / ton
0,073 € / kWh
equivalence: 450 liters of fuel oil.
Overall yield: 70%
Actual cost: 0,105 € / kWh

Wood insert with logs
40 to 80 € / stere for beech or oak district
heating value: 2000 kWh / stere
price of kwh: 0,02 to 0,04 € / kWh
Overall yield: 60%
Real cost: from 0,033 to 0,066 € / kWh

Open log fireplace with recuperator
price of kwh: 0,02 to 0,04 € / kWh
Overall performance: 0,25
Real cost: 0,08 to 0,16 € / kWh

Open fireplace without recuperator
price of kwh: 0,02 to 0,04 € / kWh
Overall performance: 0,15
Real cost: 0,13 to 0,26 € / kWh

3) Agro-fuels: energy cereals

These data are valid only for the producer, that is to say the farmer without trade (without VAT and therefore no margin). We are strongly against burning food for energy.

Oats heating
0,012 € / kWh on fallow
80 € / ton
Overall yield: 60%
Actual cost: 0,02 € / kWh

Wheat
0,015 € / kWh on fallow
108 € / ton
Overall yield: 60%
Actual cost: 0,025 € / kWh

4) Natural gas or propane

Condensing gas boiler on heated floor
0,056 € / kWh for consumption of: 22000 kWh PVS per year.
B1 rate, 4 level
Overall yield: 95%
Actual cost: 0,058 € / kWh

Natural Gas Boiler
0,056 € / kWh for consumption of: 22000 kWh PVS per year.
B1 rate, 4 level
Overall yield: 81%
Actual cost: 0,069 € / kWh

Propane Gas Boiler
0,0969 € / kWh
1,10 € / kg for a consumption of: 22000 kWh PVS per year. Price for less than 2 tonnes - Tank rented.
Overall yield: 81%
Actual cost: 0,119 € / kWh

5) Fuel oil

Heating oil
0,0615 € / kWh
(0,63 € / liter (0,39 € / liter in 2002 - 0,48 € in 2005) for: 2000 to 5000 liters.
Overall yield: 81%
Actual cost: 0,076 € / kWh

6) Coal

Ball Coal (Grade 9 Ash%)
0,054 € / kWh
0,47 € / kg
heating value: 8,73 kWh / kg.
Overall performance: 0,75
Actual cost: 0,072 € / kWh

7) Electric heating

Electric heated floor (double rate)
0,09 € / kWh
Overall yield: 94%
Actual cost: 0,056 € / kWh

Electric radiant panels (double tariff)
0,09 € / kWh
Overall yield: 91%
Actual cost: 0,096 € / kWh

Electric convector (double tariff)
0,09 € / kWh for 12 kVA
In double tariff meter: 12000 kVA per year including 5000 kVA in off peak hours.
Overall yield: 89%
Actual cost: 0,056 € / kWh

Electric convector (single price)
0,11 € / kWh
For 12 kVA
Overall yield: 89%
Actual cost: 0,123 € / kWh

To these prices must be added the fixed and maintenance costs, which range from:
- 76 € / year for fireplaces and inserts,
- to € 291 / year for heat pumps…
But whose average is around 200 € / year.

More:

- Calorific values ​​and properties of wood and major biofuels
- Download a Comparative dynamics of energy prices
- Forum heating and insulation
- The real costs of heating on forums