Myths and facts: Which heating system is the best? A comprehensive comparison

Myths and facts: Which heating system is the best? A comprehensive comparison

Choosing the right heating system is one of the most important decisions when it comes to comfort, costs and environmental friendliness in your own home. Given the wide range of options - from gas heating systems and heat pumps to innovative Bitcoin heating systems - the decision is not an easy one. In this article, we take a closer look at all the relevant types of heating, highlight the pros and cons and help you find the best solution for you.

 

Criteria for choosing a heating system

Before we get into the details of the heating types, let's take a look at the most important criteria:

  1. Purchase costs: How expensive is the installation?
  2. Operating costs: How high are the running costs?
  3. Environmental friendliness: How much CO₂ is emitted?
  4. Maintenance costs: How often does the heating need to be serviced?
  5. Flexibility: How easy is it to integrate the heating system into existing buildings?

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.

Comparison of heating types

Heating type

Advantages

Disadvantages

Gas heating

-  Low purchase costs

- Dependence on fossil fuels

- High efficiency with modern appliances

- High CO₂ emissions

- Good for existing gas networks

- Price fluctuations for gas

Heat pump

- Very environmentally friendly with green electricity

- High acquisition costs

- Low operating costs

- Not always suitable for old buildings

- Long service life

- Dependent on good insulation

Electricity heating

- Low purchase costs

- High power consumption

- Easy to install

- Higher running costs

- Ideal as additional heating

Wood heating

- Sustainable if wood comes from regional cultivation

- High space requirement for storage

- Relatively low operating costs

- High maintenance costs

- Independent of fossil fuels

Bitcoin heating

- Heating costs can be offset by mining income

- Requires basic understanding of cryptocurrencies

- Plug-and-play installation

- Electricity price can have an impact on profitability

- Efficient use of energy

- Limited choice of models

 

 

Bitcoin heaters from 21energy: a forward-looking option

The Bitcoin heaters from 21energy combine heat generation with Bitcoin mining. They not only use electricity to heat your home, but also generate passive income through cryptocurrencies. They therefore offer a unique alternative to conventional heating systems.

 

Advantages of Bitcoin heating:

  • Double use of energy: heating costs are offset by mining.
  • Simple installation: Plug-and-play devices that are ready for immediate use.
  • Sustainability: Environmentally friendly energy use.
  • Quiet operation: Ideal for 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
€2.090,00
incl. VAT & shipping
Buy now
Free shipping
30-day-return
Made in Austria


Sample calculation: Bitcoin heating

A model such as the "Ofen Pro" from 21energy with an output of 1.1 kW, which runs for 8 hours a day, generates around €2.64 in electricity costs per day at an electricity price of €0.30/kWh. By mining Bitcoin, you can offset some or all of these costs, depending on the electricity price and mining yield.

"With the Bitcoin heating system from 21energy, you are opting for a heating system that reduces costs and invests in the future."

More profit from your PV system

See how much extra profit your solar surplus can generate through Bitcoin mining instead of feeding it into the grid.

Calculate earnings
Up to 5× greater returns than standard feed-in tariffs
Seamless plug-and-play setup
Daily payout & full transparency

Conclusion: Which heating is the best?

The answer to this question depends on your individual requirements and priorities. For homes with good insulation and environmental awareness, the heat pump is an excellent option. Older homes or households with an interest in innovative technologies will benefit from Bitcoin heating systems such as those from 21energy.

„The best heating system is the one that optimally meets your needs and is sustainable and cost-efficient at the same time.“

 

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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