ᐅ Which heating system is best for our KfW 70 house without a basement?

Hello,

we have been considering for a while which heating system to choose. The house will be a KfW 70 energy efficiency standard. We don’t have a basement but a utility room.

Oil, gas, pellets, or perhaps geothermal energy or a heat pump?

What a difficult question. Who has experience in this area?

The house will be about 140m² (1,500 sq ft) in size.

It is also planned to install a solar system on the roof. The geothermal package alone costs almost 15,000€; is an additional insulation package costing nearly 4,000€ really necessary?

Thank you very much for your experiences.

Hello,

Exilhamburger schrieb:
...Oil, gas, pellets, or perhaps geothermal energy or a heat pump? What a difficult question. Who has experience in this field?

Which heating system to choose depends on the specific conditions. Consulting an independent HVAC engineer is helpful.

Exilhamburger schrieb:
...It is also planned to install a solar system on the roof.

Solar thermal systems rarely make sense for a single-family house; photovoltaic systems are more worthwhile.

Exilhamburger schrieb:
...The geothermal package alone costs almost 15,000€.

The source for a heat pump does not necessarily have to be geothermal energy. When considering packages, always check the contents first (or have them checked) 😉

Exilhamburger schrieb:
...Is an additional insulation package costing nearly 4,000€ really necessary?

It depends on what exactly is included. Additional insulation can be helpful; its value can be seen in the reduction of energy consumption in the forecast (before and after). But be careful: this is often presented too optimistically.

Best regards.

€uro schrieb:
Hello,
Which type of heating system to choose depends on the specific circumstances. It is helpful to get advice from an independent M&E (mechanical and electrical) engineer.
A solar thermal system is rarely worthwhile for a single-family house, whereas photovoltaic panels are more likely to be beneficial.
The source for a heat pump does not necessarily have to be geothermal energy. When considering packages, you should always have the details examined first. It depends on what exactly is meant by that. Additional insulation can be helpful; its effect can be seen in the reduction of energy consumption in the consumption forecast (before and after). But be careful: this is often presented in an overly optimistic way.

Best regards.

What do you mean by having the details examined? What are the specific circumstances that are supposed to be helpful for the decision?

Exilhamburger schrieb:
.. what do you mean by having the content checked?

A layperson is hardly able to assess the actual value of a "package."

Exilhamburger schrieb:
... what are the specific conditions that should help with the decision?

For example: climate location, building energy status (used components (geometry, material), user behavior (room temperatures, hot water demand)) => energy consumption forecast.
Sometimes, the builder is promised on paper a Kfw EH 70 or better. In reality, however, they only receive something meeting the Energy Saving Ordinance standard or sometimes even worse!

Best regards.

I believe the traditional stove heating should make a comeback. I’m currently spending weekends working in a nice apartment. The only "drawback" is that I have to heat with wood, and yes, even in summer, because there are drafts everywhere. Somehow, I’ve been reminded once again how cozy this heating method is. And economical!

TorbenKlein schrieb:
I think the old-fashioned stove heating should make a comeback. I’m currently working in a nice apartment over the weekends. The only "disadvantage" is that I have to heat with wood, and yes, even in summer because there are drafts everywhere. Somehow I’ve realized again what a cozy heating method this is. And economical!

Hello, Torben!
You’re absolutely right – and the Middle Ages were probably the best times for it 😀!

You’re probably at an age borderline—old enough for nostalgic daydreams but too young to have experienced it yourself :p.

As a child, I had the brief experience of living with an oil stove (heating the whole apartment), a zinc tub, cold water from all taps, etc.—no thanks, not for me.

Today, among other things, we have a wood-burning stove for decorative purposes; converting and reconnecting just recently cost around 1,000 euros (about $1,100) – economical it is not.

But to get back to the original question: if you have to finance all the technical refinements, most things are regulated by price and energy-saving regulations.

So: gas and solar for hot water. Everything else could pay off someday – maybe only for the next owner.

Best regards,
TomTom