FAQ - EnergyKing

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How loud is a heat pump?

The noise level of a heat pump depends on the type of unit and where it is installed:

An air-to-water heat pump has an outdoor unit that makes noise, similar to an air conditioner. At a distance of 5 meters, the noise level is usually between 35 and 50 decibels (comparable to a soft murmur or a refrigerator). Inside, you generally won’t be bothered by the noise, since the indoor unit operates very quietly and is usually installed in a storage room or utility room.
A ground-water heat pump operates almost silently because it does not require an outdoor unit.

Do I need a permit for a heat pump?

Heat pumps are most efficient for low-temperature heating systems, such as radiant floor heating or modified radiators. However, there are also high-temperature heat pumps that can deliver temperatures of up to 70 to 80°C, which are suitable for existing radiators.

Please note: these systems consume more electricity than standard heat pumps. When renovating, we’d be happy to work with you to determine whether your existing heating system is compatible or needs to be replaced.

Does a heat pump also work in combination with high-temperature heating systems?

Can you cool a room with a heat pump?

Yes, both air-to-water and ground-to-water heat pumps can also cool your home in the summer.

In an air-to-water heat pump, this is achieved through active cooling, during which the system operates in reverse mode.
With a ground-source heat pump, passive cooling is often possible as well, utilizing the natural coolness of the ground.

Important to know: A heat pump’s cooling capacity is less intense than that of a traditional air conditioning system. You shouldn’t expect a temperature drop of 10°C, but rather a pleasant reduction of a few degrees, which is often enough to ensure comfort on hot days. It’s ideal when combined with underfloor heating or fan coil units that are also suitable for cooling.

Can I install an air conditioner myself?

You can easily install a portable air conditioner yourself. Are you opting for a permanent system?

In that case, you’ll have to have the installation done by a certified installer anyway. One of the EnergyKing installers, for example 😉

How much energy does an air conditioner use?

The type of air conditioner, the size of the room to be cooled, the capacity of your air conditioner, … These are all factors that affect your air conditioner’s energy consumption. On average, an air conditioner uses 0.5 to 2.5 kWh per hour to cool a room. That’s comparable to a washing machine or oven, depending on the type.

Want to reduce your energy consumption? Then consider connecting your air conditioner to solar panels.

What is your question about?

Frequently Asked Questions

How loud is a heat pump?

Do I need a permit for a heat pump?

Does a heat pump also work in combination with high-temperature heating systems?

Can you cool a room with a heat pump?

Can I install an air conditioner myself?

How much energy does an air conditioner use?

Solar Panels

Does EnergyKing also offer plug-in solar panels?

Absolutely! Plug-in solar panels, or plug-and-play solar panels, are portable devices that you simply plug into an outlet. They’re ideal if you have limited space, live in an apartment, or are a renter! At EnergyKing, we offer the IQ Balcony Solar from Enphase.

What is the payback period for solar panels?

On average, you can expect a payback period of 5 to 9 years. How quickly you recoup the cost of your solar panels depends on the cost, quality, and output of your system, as well as your electricity consumption. Want to recoup the cost of your solar panels even faster? Then invest in a smart home battery as well.

How many solar panels do I need?

That depends on your energy consumption, the power output of the solar panels, and your roof. At EnergyKing, we offer 440 Wp solar panels.

Here's an example: a two-person household consumes an average of 2,500 to 3,500 kWh per year. With a capacity of 440 Wp, you would need 6 to 9 solar panels.

Do I need a permit for solar panels?

You almost always need an environmental permit to install solar panels, but in some cases you are exempt. For example:

If your solar panels are installed on a flat roof and do not extend more than 1 meter above the roof edge.
If your roof and your solar panels have the same pitch.
When your solar panels serve as roofing.

Are you having plug-in solar panels installed? In most cases, you won’t need to apply for a permit. It’s best to check the requirements for a standard solar panel installation on the Flemish government’s website.

Do solar panels require a lot of maintenance?

Actually, no! It’s best to have your solar panels cleaned by a professional once a year or every two years to ensure optimal performance. You don’t have to look for a professional—check out our service plans here.

Battery Storage

What is the lifespan of a home battery?

The lifespan of a home battery depends on the number of charge cycles. More charge cycles = longer lifespan. Our Alpha ESS comes with a warranty of 10,000 cycles and can therefore last an average of 25 years.

What are day-ahead prices?

Day-ahead prices are energy prices that are set one day in advance. Energy suppliers buy and sell the energy they need for specific hours of the following day. Do you have a dynamic contract? If so, you can take advantage of these fluctuating prices.

What is a smart home battery?

A smart home battery—or a home battery with smart controls—is a standard model with a few extra features. For example, a smart battery will determine where your generated energy is best directed and when. Do you have a dynamic energy rate plan? Then your smart system can really shine. A home battery like this draws energy when prices are low.

Does a home battery require maintenance?

Hardly! A home battery requires little to no maintenance. If you notice that your home battery is no longer working optimally, it’s best to call in a professional. The only thing you can do is wipe down the outside of your battery every now and then. That leaves you more time to enjoy your green energy 😉

Are there any incentives for home batteries?

Currently, the Flemish government does not offer subsidies for home batteries, but even without financial support, this is a profitable investment.

How much storage capacity does my home battery need?

That depends on your solar panel system and your electricity usage.

→ Is the battery too small? It has too little storage capacity relative to your solar panels.

→ Is the battery too big? That means part of the capacity would go unused, so you’d be making an unnecessarily large investment.

Our rule of thumb? 1 kWp of solar panels = 1.6 kWh of battery capacity.

The only way to be sure you're choosing the right storage capacity is to consult our experts. Get free advice from our battery experts!

Charging station

Do you also offer bidirectional charging stations?

Bidirectional charging means that an electric car can not only draw energy but also feed it back into the grid. Thanks to this technology, your electric car can be used as a home battery.

Today, most of EnergyKing’s charging stations are already V2G-ready (either as standard or via an optional upgrade). This means they are technically capable of bidirectional charging, but the feature cannot be fully utilized until the regulations governing power feed-in are in place and automakers officially allow this option.

What about the maintenance of a charging station?

A charging station can usually withstand a bit of rough handling. Still, it doesn’t hurt to have our technicians perform a preventive inspection of your charging station once a year or every two years. That way, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure your charging station continues to perform at its best.

How do I choose the best brand for a charging station?

At EnergyKing, we only install charging stations from top brands. That said, each brand excels in a different way. Having trouble deciding? No worries:

Looking for a charging station on a budget? Then Peblar is a smart choice.
Do you trust the best-selling brand? Alfen ranks highest with us and is the most trusted brand.
Do you want something that's easy on the eyes? Then go for the stylish Blitz charging stations.
Do you prefer to go for the very best? Veton offers only premium products of the highest quality.

Which charging station is compatible with my power connection?

The first thing you need to know is: How is your home connected to the grid? Is it a single-phase connection (single-phase) or a 3-phase connection? Check your electricity meter in your utility closet.

→ Does your electricity meter say 220/230V? If so, you have a single-phase connection.

→ Does your electricity meter read 3x 220V or 380/400V? If so, you have a three-phase connection.

→ Do you see "3x 230V" listed? If so, you can also charge using single-phase power only.

Not every car can charge at full power from a 3-phase charging station. Some cars can only charge at one-third of the maximum power. Even if your car has a 3-phase charger, the maximum is often 11 kW, not 22 kW. Charging is always safe, but the combination of car and charging station determines how fast it goes.

Can a home charging station cause a power outage?

Charging your electric car requires a lot of power. To prevent power outages, there is Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB). This system continuously measures how much power is being drawn and intervenes when a critical threshold is approached.

How does DLB work? For example, by temporarily reducing the amount of power sent to a high-demand device—which, in many cases, is your electric car. But the reverse is also true! If your charging station detects that you’re barely using any power at a given moment, it will send more energy to your car.

Air conditioning

Can I install an air conditioner myself?

How much energy does an air conditioner use?

Is it possible to ventilate using air conditioning?

Some air conditioners can also ventilate your home, but not all of them. At EnergyKing, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Feel free to ask our experts about a model that can also ventilate.

Can I also use the air conditioner to heat the room?

That's right! Many air conditioning systems are actually air-to-air heat pumps. To heat a space, the outdoor unit extracts heat from the outside air and sends it to the indoor units. Portable air conditioners can only cool.

Heat pump

How loud is a heat pump?

Do I need a permit for a heat pump?

Does a heat pump also work in combination with high-temperature heating systems?

Can you cool a room with a heat pump?

Can I combine a heat pump with solar panels or a home battery?

A heat pump with solar panels and a home battery is the ideal combination. This way, you can not only generate green electricity, but you can also store it and use it for heating, hot water, and cooling.

Should I choose a heat pump or a heat pump water heater?

A heat pump water heater can only heat the domestic hot water in your home. With a heat pump, you can also power your central heating and heat your pool water. You can choose to install a heat pump water heater first and then a heat pump.

Ventilation

Should I ventilate during humid weather?

You might not think so, but that’s exactly when it’s especially important! Ventilating is a good idea even when it’s raining or during the winter. That way, you keep the air healthy and prevent mold growth.

What about ventilation in the bathroom?

Ventilation in the bathroom is very important. If you don’t ventilate it, you risk developing mold and other moisture-related problems. Bathroom fans provide basic ventilation, but for proper ventilation, it’s best to use Ventilation System D.

Is ventilation required?

Ventilation systems are required for new construction projects. Are you planning a renovation? If so, it’s highly recommended that you take a close look at your ventilation system, but it’s not always required. When is it required? If you’re replacing windows or doors in dry areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, ventilation grilles are required.

Since 2024, ventilation has also been included in the EPC, and checks are made to ensure that sufficient ventilation provisions are in place.

How should I maintain a ventilation system?

Do you have a Type C or D ventilation system? If so, maintenance is an important consideration. You can easily clean the valves and openings of the supply and exhaust ducts yourself. Vacuuming and replacing the filters is also a simple task. It’s best to have a professional perform the remaining maintenance work every two or three years.

Can't I just let some air in?

Ventilation and airing out are not the same thing. Opening the windows and doors—for example, after cleaning—is airing out. But that’s not enough. Ventilation ensures a continuous inflow of fresh air and the removal of contaminated air. Airing out is a brief action; ventilation is a continuous process.

What happens if I don't ventilate?

Mold & moisture problems, an ideal environment for dust mites, excessive levels of harmful and fine particulate matter in the home, allergic reactions & unpleasant odors.