Upgrading your heating: what you should know

Heizung erneuern

Header-Image: AI-created (ChatGPT/DALL-E)

In many households, the heating system is over 20 years old and therefore often far from meeting the latest standards. Such an old system can be inefficient, harmful to the environment, and frequently comes with high heating costs. To improve your energy footprint and potentially save on expenses, it’s worth considering an upgrade. This article takes a closer look at how to approach this process and what to keep in mind. As a kind of guide, it offers a comprehensive overview.

Why replace your heating system?

Updating your heating system offers many benefits:

  • If your goal is to save money, don’t underestimate the potential of a new heating system: modern solutions can use energy much more efficiently, helping to reduce energy costs.

  • Heating technology that meets the latest standards is often more sustainable and climate-friendly, which can help cut CO₂ emissions.

The right time for an upgrade

Heating systems older than 15 to 20 years often operate inefficiently and should therefore be refurbished or replaced. It’s also worth keeping an eye on energy costs: if these rise year after year, it could be a sign of an outdated system. Older systems are generally more prone to breakdowns and failures, which can lead to expensive repairs. If these signs appear, it’s time to consider replacing the heating system. The ideal time to do this is before the start of the cold season, but replacement is also possible during winter.

How do you approach modernization?

When switching to a new, up-to-date heating system, careful planning is essential. The following steps can help:

  1. Consult a professional to have the existing system inspected and its condition analyzed.
  2. Consider which requirements the new system should meet, such as the energy source, efficiency class, or size.
  3. Clarify what investments are needed, organize the available budget, and make use of possible subsidies.
  4. Obtain quotes from specialized companies and compare them carefully.
  5. Install the system and have it properly mounted by a professional.

Choosing the new heating system

The first step is selecting the right heating system. Among other things, the following aspects should be considered:

  • The new system should have a high energy efficiency rating. Efficiency classes can help guide your decision.
  • The size and heat demand of the apartment or house should also be taken into account. Proper sizing is important.
  • Consider the maintenance and servicing effort required for the new system.
  • Pay attention to new technologies, as they are more future-proof and promising in the long run.

Future-oriented solutions

In addition to the widely discussed switch to solar thermal energy, photovoltaics or heat pumps, there are also other innovative, forward-looking solutions. One notable example is the Bitcoin heater from 21energy. It pays off twice – it combines modern heating with mining the cryptocurrency Bitcoin: Bitcoin is generated using Bitcoin miners, and the waste heat produced in this process is fully used to heat living spaces.

Ofen 2 in a nutshell

More warmth, more bitcoin, & zero compromise.
Ofen 2 Front

Ofen 2

New
1,000 W
Power
50 m²
Area heated
32 dB
Noise level
up to 35 TH/s
Mining power
€ 0.10 / kWh
Bitcoin reward
(1-year average)
As of 06.2025
€ 0.22 / kWh
Bitcoin reward
(4-year average)
As of 06.2025
90 x 32 x 14 cm
Size
24 kg
Weight
€1.650,00
-21%
€2.090,00
incl. VAT & shipping
Buy now
Free shipping
30-day-return
Made in Austria

This creates a new state-of-the-art heating technology: Bitcoin heaters are efficient, save energy and at the same time offer the possibility of generating financial returns. This solution is ideal for households that value technology and modern, promising efficiency.

Another advantage is that the Bitcoin heaters from 21energy are easy to set up yourself: they come with detailed instructions and are straightforward to put into operation. This means you can save on complicated, expensive installation.

 

oven one oven bundle

Image: 21energy

Expected costs

Depending on the choice of new heating system and the extent of necessary measures, costs can vary. Traditional systems such as gas or oil heating often appear attractive at first glance due to their usually lower initial costs. However, in the long run, other future-oriented systems often offer significant savings potential. It is advisable to take advantage of this when renewing your heating system.

Heat pumps are considered environmentally friendly but are often very expensive. A Bitcoin heater pays off quickly. You can easily find out how much you can save compared to conventional heating systems using this profitability calculator.

Calculate your annual heating savings

Electr. costs (/kWh)
-
0.26
+
80
Variable electricity price
By using a variable electricity provider on the spot market in combination with the 21energy app, you can reduce your electricity costs by up to 50%.
PV system
In summer, it is possible to monetize surplus electricity from a PV system, if one is available. The value is a rough estimate based on conventional data.
Heat pump
Heat pump
- € 1.400
/ Year
Gas & Oil
Gas & Oil
- € 2,800
/ Year
Electric
Electric
- € 4,160
/ Year
Bitcoin heater
Bitcoin heater
- € 4,160
/ Year
+ € 4,580
/ Year
Average heating cost savings per year. *
€ 4,372
Additional profit through surplus electricity monetization:
0 + 0 = € 0
save up to 3 tons of CO₂ / year
Calculate in detail
* The heating cost savings were determined by comparing them with the average heating costs of all heating systems.

Conclusion: switch to a modern heating system now

By renewing your heating system, you lay the foundation for an important investment in the future — for your home, your wallet and the environment. New technologies like the Bitcoin heater from 21energy offer an efficient, profitable alternative to conventional systems. There is a lot of potential to unlock by upgrading your heating system.

Maximilian Obwexer profile picture

Maximilian Obwexer

Maximilian Obwexer is the co-founder and CEO of 21energy. He shares his expertise here on the blog and as a speaker at various conferences. The main topic is Bitcoin mining & its waste heat utilization.

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