ᐅ Heating System Quote Comparison – Request for Your Experiences
Created on: 11 Sep 2019 10:09
T
Tx-25
Hello everyone. We have received three quotes for an air-source heat pump, underfloor heating, photovoltaic system, and decentralized ventilation with heat recovery. As expected, all offers differ from each other.
Regarding the proposed heat pumps:
Brötje BWL Split 8 C with electric heating element €9207.95
Elco Aerotop Split €10,222.50
Viessmann Vitocal 200-S €8829.31
The prices include accessories. From my research, I am most inclined towards the Elco. It seems to have the best specifications on paper. Overall, the offer for this heat pump is also the most affordable. Unfortunately, I found little information about the Brötje system.
Now my questions:
- What do you think about these systems? Do you have any experience? How would you assess the prices?
- What size should the hot water tank be? Considering an air-to-water heat pump combined with photovoltaics? The Brötje system includes a 150-liter (40 gallons) tank plus a 100-liter (26 gallons) buffer tank. The Elco option has a 180-liter (47 gallons) tank.
- What else should be taken into account?
- Are these systems appropriately sized? The building’s energy demand is 21.1 kWh.
Regarding the proposed heat pumps:
Brötje BWL Split 8 C with electric heating element €9207.95
Elco Aerotop Split €10,222.50
Viessmann Vitocal 200-S €8829.31
The prices include accessories. From my research, I am most inclined towards the Elco. It seems to have the best specifications on paper. Overall, the offer for this heat pump is also the most affordable. Unfortunately, I found little information about the Brötje system.
Now my questions:
- What do you think about these systems? Do you have any experience? How would you assess the prices?
- What size should the hot water tank be? Considering an air-to-water heat pump combined with photovoltaics? The Brötje system includes a 150-liter (40 gallons) tank plus a 100-liter (26 gallons) buffer tank. The Elco option has a 180-liter (47 gallons) tank.
- What else should be taken into account?
- Are these systems appropriately sized? The building’s energy demand is 21.1 kWh.
neubau2019 schrieb:
But I can generate my own electricity (1) Depending on your personal income situation (tax rate, business status), self-generated electricity is NOT free but must be taxed as income and sales tax. Have you done a precise and fair calculation? How much does your own electricity cost per kWh just from taxes? What are the supply costs related to purchasing the photovoltaic system (total yield/total costs including depreciation/maintenance of the system)?
(2) Especially in winter, most photovoltaic systems owned by homeowners definitely do NOT produce enough power to avoid buying electricity. And winter is precisely when heat pumps operate very inefficiently.
A rough rule of thumb: a photovoltaic system produces about 1/8 of its summer output (June–August) during winter months (November–February).
A photovoltaic system has to be unrealistically large to generate all the electricity needed for a heat pump in winter. Additionally, the instantaneous power demand of heat pumps is quite high and cannot be directly covered by the photovoltaic system during winter.
Joedreck schrieb:
So, I have a maintenance contract for my gas condensing boiler system. Including parts and emergency service. Then the contract might be a bit excessive? Emergency service doesn’t usually need to be “insured” in advance with an extra charge. Maybe you should reconsider your maintenance contract.
But yes, there is a lot of malpractice in maintenance, and customers often get ripped off. You have to be very vigilant and negotiate well.
N
neubau201921 Nov 2019 12:21Scout schrieb:
In winter, if the heating is running at full power, probably not. At least not on the roof....That’s true, but this is an annual calculation including self-consumption and feed-in!@Detlev69
Heat pumps can already be found for €4000 (around $4400), not all units cost €10,000 (about $11,000) or more!
Whether a heat pump pays off with or without purchased electricity will always depend on how the system is designed, the required energy demand, and how gas and electricity prices develop.
Detlev69 schrieb:
Then maybe the contract is a bit exaggerated? You don’t really need to pay extra in advance to “insure” an emergency service. Maybe you should reconsider your maintenance contract.
But yes, there is a lot of malpractice with maintenance services, and customers often get ripped off. You have to be very vigilant and negotiate well.OH yes! The contract is too comprehensive. Unfortunately, it was only offered that way. Unfortunately.
However, a comprehensive maintenance contract was mentioned. I have that. And it is expensive. Still, I doubt that one for a heat pump would be more costly. Basically, for a heat pump, you just wipe over it, check the pressure, and that’s it.
Modern condensing boilers are very complex to clean. At least most of them. And this has to be done annually.
Personally, I feel more confident maintaining a heat pump than a fossil fuel heating system. Especially gas.
If the pressure in the heat pump drops, I can call a professional.
With gas, I prefer to stay away.
By the way, this is not an argument in favor of heat pumps. I would always want to make that decision on an individual basis.
neubau2019 schrieb:
Heat pumps are already available for €4000,- / not all units cost €10,000 or more! Yes, that is correct. If you choose very affordable heat pump models, they can be cost-effective.
The question is whether these units meet comfort expectations, for example noise levels at the installation site, performance during high heating demand in cold winters, overall domestic hot water comfort, and of course how long these budget units really last.
I’m already bothered by the 300-liter (80-gallon) storage tanks. Space requirements, risk of bacteria growth, standby losses. And high-quality systems with fresh water stations tend to cost significantly more.
neubau2019 schrieb:
Whether a heat pump pays off with or without purchased electricity always depends on how the system is planned [is] Of course, planning is very important, but in practice, the phrase “it depends on the planning” often turns out to be just a convenient excuse.
As I said, anyone planning such a system should definitely include realistic, binding offers for maintenance and should not ignore taxes on self-generated electricity. Two points that are unfortunately often overlooked.
Annual performance factors can also be misleading regarding the special demands of particularly cold winters. In fact, many end up primarily heating with purchased electricity during these times.
Joedreck schrieb:
By the way, this is not an argument in favor of heat pumps. I would always want to make the decision on an individual basis. I admit that I tend to argue against heat pumps — mainly because, with very few exceptions, I find the noise level quite disturbing. Also, in very cold winters, heating almost always relies on purchased electricity, and the hot water comfort is almost always inadequate for more energy-conscious homeowners.
Joedreck schrieb:
However, I still doubt that a heat pump would be more expensive. Well, I can’t make a definitive statement either, but what I have heard so far about service contracts for heat pumps is not encouraging. But yes, as always, it depends on the individual case — I just wanted to point out that everyone should get a binding quote so they know where they stand. At least, don’t forget to take this into account.
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