Drilling heat pumps: Smart investment for your home

What are heat pumps?

Heat pumps are heating and cooling systems that transfer heat from the ground (geothermal) or water to your home. Heat pump boreholes are vertical wells that extract constant heat from the ground.

How does it work?

1. Primary circuit (in the ground): Special liquid circulates through the probe and absorbs heat from the ground
2. Compressor: Compresses the liquid, increasing the temperature
3. Condenser: Transfers heat to the secondary circuit (in the house)
4. Expansion valve: Reduces pressure and temperature, repeating the cycle

Heat pump drilling costs

Vertical boreholes (most common)

Probe depth	Estimated price	Covered Power
80-100m	15,000-25,000 lei	8-12 kW
100-150m	25,000-40,000 lei	12-18 kW
150-200m	40,000-60,000 lei	18-25 kW

Total system cost (well + pump + installation)

• House 100-120 sqm: 25,000-40,000 lei
• House 150-200 sqm: 40,000-60,000 lei
• House 200+ sqm: 60,000-100,000 lei

Savings on bills

A heat pump can reduce heating costs by:

• vs. Electric: 60-70% economy
• vs. Gas: 40-50% economy
• vs. Wood/Pellet: 30-40% economy
• vs. Fuel: 50-60% economy

Economy calculation example

For a 120 sqm house in the Bucharest area:

• Gas heating: ~4,000 lei/season
• Heat pump heating: ~1,600 lei/season
• Annual savings: ~2,400 lei
• Investment recovery period: 10-15 years

Advantages of heat pumps

• ✅ Significant savings in the long term
• ✅ Also works for cooling in summer
• ✅ Lifetime 20-25 years (pump), 50+ years (well)
• ✅ Minimal maintenance
• ✅ No emissions at the place of consumption
• ✅ Independence from the price of fossil fuels
• ✅ Added value to the property

Disadvantages

• ❌ High initial investment
• ❌ Requires professional drilling
• ❌ Depends on electricity
• ❌ Low efficiency at extreme temperatures (-15°C or less)

How do you choose the right depth?

The depth of the wells depends on:

• Required thermal power - calculated according to surface and insulation
• Soil thermal conductivity - varies by area
• Soil water temperature - constant ~10-12°C at depth

General rule

15-20 meters of probe per kW required. Ex: for 10 kW → 150-200m of well.

Energy Efficient House Program

The Romanian state offers financing for the installation of efficient heating systems:

• Amount: Up to 15,000 lei
• Conditions: Maximum income per family member
• What is financed: Heat pump + drilling
• Period: Opens annually, within the limits of funds

Conclusion

Heat pump boreholes are a smart long-term investment. Although the initial cost is high, the savings on bills and the thermal comfort offered make this solution one of the best options for heating your home.