Hello everyone,
we are currently planning to build a relatively large single-family home (living area, including the rooms in the basement used as living space, around 450 sqm (4844 sq ft)).
In addition, we are building an outdoor pool, which should also be heated from April to October. Ideally, it should not have a separate heating system but be integrated into the overall heating concept.
I generally prefer to invest a bit more upfront in order to have lower ongoing costs.
The construction companies mostly recommend an air-to-water heat pump because it requires the least effort for them (no chimney needed, no solar system required).
However, I am somewhat skeptical about heating such a large house and the pool only with a heat pump.
Therefore, the question is:
What would be a reasonable solution for the heating? Heat pump? In combination with solar thermal or photovoltaic? Gas condensing boiler with solar thermal or photovoltaic? Or perhaps even a small combined heat and power plant?
I would really appreciate any input on this.
we are currently planning to build a relatively large single-family home (living area, including the rooms in the basement used as living space, around 450 sqm (4844 sq ft)).
In addition, we are building an outdoor pool, which should also be heated from April to October. Ideally, it should not have a separate heating system but be integrated into the overall heating concept.
I generally prefer to invest a bit more upfront in order to have lower ongoing costs.
The construction companies mostly recommend an air-to-water heat pump because it requires the least effort for them (no chimney needed, no solar system required).
However, I am somewhat skeptical about heating such a large house and the pool only with a heat pump.
Therefore, the question is:
What would be a reasonable solution for the heating? Heat pump? In combination with solar thermal or photovoltaic? Gas condensing boiler with solar thermal or photovoltaic? Or perhaps even a small combined heat and power plant?
I would really appreciate any input on this.
If you rely on a heat pump, you don’t necessarily need photovoltaic panels since heat pumps count as renewable energy. However, it can still make sense to use both.
A separate pool heater is only necessary if it cannot be reasonably connected to the primary heating system. You benefit from having everything planned and built together and located close to each other. Therefore, be sure to connect the pool to the central heating system. This is significantly cheaper in terms of both investment and maintenance. Plus, you avoid having another device standing around in the garden.
Take a look at the prices for a 40kW gas condensing boiler (under 4,000€) and then for an 18kW heat pump (over 12,000€, and you would need two of these). Any heating contractor can also service the gas boiler. Support for heat pumps is still somewhat inconsistent. Operational costs for gas are also cheaper, especially since heat pumps often don’t perform optimally in your area. Additionally, you usually have to heat the water to 60°C (140°F) with an electric heating element for disinfection purposes.
You have a project ahead that is outside the scope of "normal." Many things will be different.
A separate pool heater is only necessary if it cannot be reasonably connected to the primary heating system. You benefit from having everything planned and built together and located close to each other. Therefore, be sure to connect the pool to the central heating system. This is significantly cheaper in terms of both investment and maintenance. Plus, you avoid having another device standing around in the garden.
Take a look at the prices for a 40kW gas condensing boiler (under 4,000€) and then for an 18kW heat pump (over 12,000€, and you would need two of these). Any heating contractor can also service the gas boiler. Support for heat pumps is still somewhat inconsistent. Operational costs for gas are also cheaper, especially since heat pumps often don’t perform optimally in your area. Additionally, you usually have to heat the water to 60°C (140°F) with an electric heating element for disinfection purposes.
You have a project ahead that is outside the scope of "normal." Many things will be different.
I am with Lumpi_LE.
This is a project involving an architect plus specialists. You should also be heavily involved yourself.
Building a house once doesn’t work well for small and simple projects. At this scale, it definitely won’t work twice.
However, I am happy to continue assisting you.
This is a project involving an architect plus specialists. You should also be heavily involved yourself.
Building a house once doesn’t work well for small and simple projects. At this scale, it definitely won’t work twice.
However, I am happy to continue assisting you.
@Rick: Yes, I’m happy to come back to that.
In addition, a fireplace is planned.. I’m not sure if it’s worth it with the water jacket, that would still need to be evaluated.
Regarding KNX:
I’m still considering whether we should go for it. Ideally, I would like to have it, but on the one hand, it is a considerable cost factor, and on the other hand, the builders tend to advise against it.. then we would also need to consider whether to connect the heating to it.
In addition, a fireplace is planned.. I’m not sure if it’s worth it with the water jacket, that would still need to be evaluated.
Regarding KNX:
I’m still considering whether we should go for it. Ideally, I would like to have it, but on the one hand, it is a considerable cost factor, and on the other hand, the builders tend to advise against it.. then we would also need to consider whether to connect the heating to it.
The chimney is causing you other issues, just like a kitchen exhaust vent.
You need sensors for the windows and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to ensure sufficient fresh air supply. How often do you use the fireplace? If it’s only once a week, you don’t need to consider a hydronic system. Especially since, as mentioned, it is negligible for your heating demand.
KNX or some kind of automation system is a great convenience for a house like this.
If you only want some basic centralized control, the effort is less. But if you want a fully smart system, you will need a good system integrator. KNX really applies to every trade involved.
If your construction company advises against it, you can forget about it. That’s another sign to reconsider your partner. After all, you’re probably spending between 2-3 million only on the house.
Of course, conventional electrical installations will work as well. But for each function, you’ll have separate switches, sensors, systems, and apps...
You will need room controllers anyway for heating.
Additional costs for KNX with relatively simple implementation will be around 30,000€ (about 32,000 USD).
This all sounds like a general contractor who usually builds standard houses is simply inflating your project. That won’t work.
You won’t be able to realize your individual requirements and will probably end up with a suboptimal result.
How far along are you with the planning? Could you upload some drawings? Just remove names and locations.
How many mechanical ventilation units with heat recovery were they trying to sell you?
You need sensors for the windows and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery to ensure sufficient fresh air supply. How often do you use the fireplace? If it’s only once a week, you don’t need to consider a hydronic system. Especially since, as mentioned, it is negligible for your heating demand.
KNX or some kind of automation system is a great convenience for a house like this.
If you only want some basic centralized control, the effort is less. But if you want a fully smart system, you will need a good system integrator. KNX really applies to every trade involved.
If your construction company advises against it, you can forget about it. That’s another sign to reconsider your partner. After all, you’re probably spending between 2-3 million only on the house.
Of course, conventional electrical installations will work as well. But for each function, you’ll have separate switches, sensors, systems, and apps...
You will need room controllers anyway for heating.
Additional costs for KNX with relatively simple implementation will be around 30,000€ (about 32,000 USD).
This all sounds like a general contractor who usually builds standard houses is simply inflating your project. That won’t work.
You won’t be able to realize your individual requirements and will probably end up with a suboptimal result.
How far along are you with the planning? Could you upload some drawings? Just remove names and locations.
How many mechanical ventilation units with heat recovery were they trying to sell you?
Would you upload the plans? Firstly, it helps to get a better idea, and surely the forum will provide useful tips and ideas.
Have you planned the pool equipment in the basement? Ideally as close to the pool as possible?
Are you going to lower the ceilings? What is the floor construction like? That will also determine the final room height.
Network and security systems?...
Have you planned the pool equipment in the basement? Ideally as close to the pool as possible?
Are you going to lower the ceilings? What is the floor construction like? That will also determine the final room height.
Network and security systems?...