June 16, 2025, 10:40 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Heat pumps are considered a sustainable, climate-friendly heating method. David Selle is well-versed in the subject, as he is the founder and CEO of Daulto, a heat pump installation company based in Heidelberg. myHOMEBOOK interviewed the 19-year-old heat pump expert.
Heat pumps are considered the heating method of the future and are currently a frequently discussed topic. The technology is already standard in new buildings–and even every household refrigerator contains a heat pump. There are even possibilities to retrofit heat pumps in older buildings. David Selle, founder and CEO of Daulto, a heat pump installation company from Heidelberg, is well aware of this. Specifically, it involves air-to-water heat pumps. What’s remarkable: Selle is only 19–an age when others are just embarking on their overseas stay in Australia. What motivates the young founder?
“What Will the World Look Like in 30 Years?”
myHOMEBOOK: At 19, you’re already the CEO of a heat pump company. Where does your enthusiasm for sustainability come from?
David Selle: “I founded my first company at 14 and developed websites. That was educational and enriching for the time, but I increasingly questioned the deeper meaning and purpose of what I was doing. During the pandemic and the time when schools were closed, I realized I wanted to create something meaningful and long-lasting. Something that wasn’t just about making money. I often wonder what the Earth will look like in 30 years. That’s what drives me.”
What are typical problems with installing heat pumps?
“Unfortunately, when installing heat pumps, we often encounter inefficiency and a lack of expertise. Currently, only about 20 percent of installers are truly qualified to install heat pumps properly. As a result, many installations are not optimally executed, leading to long installation times and system deficiencies.”
Also interesting: Is a heat pump suitable for my house? A simple test shows it
How Sustainable Are Heat Pumps Really?
Heat pumps are powered by electricity. That’s not sustainable. Is the eco-balance really so positive for a heat pump?
“The eco-balance of heat pumps is more positive compared to traditional heating systems like oil or gas heaters. A heat pump can typically generate about four to five kilowatts of thermal energy from one kilowatt of electricity. This means it can provide four to five times the energy used in the form of heat–that’s a lot. If we manage to operate a heat pump with green electricity from renewable energy sources like wind or solar energy, its environmental balance improves even more. Then the heat pump becomes almost emission-free.”
But the electricity is not yet purely green. Is the image being “greenwashed”?
“No, the image is not being ‘greenwashed’! Since 2023, over 50 percent of electricity in Germany is generated from renewable energies. Ten years ago, it was only 25 percent–we’re on the right track. I’m sure the share of renewable energies will continue to rise in the coming years.”
Heat pumps are still quite expensive. How does that fit with the energy transition–shouldn’t it actually be affordable?
“That’s true, heat pumps need to become more affordable for a broader audience. Subsidy programs help with that. Some programs reimburse private customers up to seventy percent of the costs. But the amount that customers have to bear themselves remains high. As a company, we try to overcome this financial hurdle by making the installation of heat pumps more scalable and efficient.”
Also interesting: Installing a new gas or oil heater now? Experts advise
The Oldest House Where We Installed a Heat Pump Dates Back to 1896
Are there houses that are not suitable for a heat pump?
“Actually, almost any house is suitable for installing a heat pump. There are prejudices that you absolutely need underfloor heating or ultra-modern insulation for a heat pump. That’s not true. Heat pumps work more efficiently when such conditions are met, but it’s also possible otherwise. The oldest house where we installed a heat pump dates back to 1896! This shows quite well that heat pumps can also function in older buildings without perfect insulation and heating technology.”
More on this: Do you really need underfloor heating for a heat pump?
Keyword energy transition: What would you wish from politics to accelerate the energy transition?
“To move faster, political decisions would need to be made more quickly and with greater clarity. The subsidy policy for heat pumps is a good example. Until the end of the year, no one knew if subsidies for heat pumps would still be available in 2024. Such uncertainties unsettle private customers, and it’s about a lot of money. If private households and companies know they are supported by the state, they are more willing to spend money on sustainability.”
Energy Expert on Blackout Risk: “Many Systems and Interfaces Are Extremely Insecure”
KfW heating subsidy from September! Who can apply for the subsidy
Tado’s Dynamic Electricity Tariff Promises to Save Hundreds of Euros Annually – but There’s a Catch
“We Digitally Map the Installation Process”
Several major investors have just joined you. What do you think attracts them to heat pumps?
“I think there are several reasons. The topic of sustainability is important to investors. On the one hand, because they are involved in the development themselves, and on the other hand, because the topic will certainly still be relevant in 20 years. This offers us enormous potential.”
What role does digital transformation play in the energy sector?
“Digital transformation is enormously important in the energy sector. A concrete example is the digitization of the heat pump installation process. This allows us to digitally map and support the entire process from planning to execution. This also improves the monitoring and maintenance of the systems.”