ᐅ Gas with solar thermal? Or heat pump with photovoltaic? Advice needed

Created on: 5 Feb 2020 08:57
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Micha8589
Good morning to the forum,
I have been researching heating options for quite some time and have gathered a few opinions, which have only made me more uncertain about my decision. That’s why I thought I’d ask the forum.

My family (2 adults, 1 child) is planning to build the following single-family house at the end of this year or beginning of next year:

Single-family home with pitched roof
Approximately 115 m² (1,237 sq ft)
Solid construction (calcium silicate brick ground and upper floors, brick-clad)
No KFW standard
Building location: southern Mecklenburg

Unfortunately, I can’t provide an energy performance certificate or heating load calculation yet, as the preliminary offer is still being prepared. I am also aware that a general statement can’t really be made since every house and heating behavior is individual.

The construction company advised us to install a modern hybrid heating system consisting of a gas condensing boiler and two solar thermal panels on the roof for domestic hot water, as the initial costs are relatively low (plus installation of the central gas connection), and this technology has proven reliable. The entire house is planned to have underfloor heating. According to the company, they have had very positive experiences with this and consider the technology future-proof. (There is also the idea of a fireplace in the living room.)

On the other hand, I think gas prices will not get any cheaper in the future, and the topic of CO₂ taxes (especially concerning the fireplace) worries me somewhat.

In theory, I would prefer to install a geothermal heat pump combined with a suitable photovoltaic system because this would make me independent of fossil fuels and allow me to heat “off-grid” to a certain extent, depending on efficiency. However, I am hesitant because of the very high initial costs and don’t really know how these compare to operational costs. I also can no longer realistically assess which technology offers the best cost-performance ratio (except for air-source heat pumps).

As you can see, I am completely undecided and hope to get some feedback and expertise from the forum.

Thanks in advance for your replies.
H
hegi___
9 Feb 2020 15:36
I realize that the discussion about gas versus heat pumps is just as unnecessary and pointless as the debate about aerated concrete/Poroton/pumice/expanded clay or monolithic construction versus external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS).
T
T_im_Norden
9 Feb 2020 15:42
I think it’s good because sometimes other perspectives come up that are otherwise overlooked. As long as it doesn’t turn into almost religious disputes.
hausnrplus259 Feb 2020 15:58
Mycraft schrieb:

On the other hand, electricity prices have steadily increased and practically only know one direction:

Does this chart still apply if you have heat pump tariffs?

Thanks for all the contributions and thoughts!!! We are exactly at the same decision point: hassle-free traditional gas heating or a modern air-to-water heat pump... Controlled residential ventilation is also a decision topic... what might one regret in 5 to 10 years?

Best regards
G
guckuck2
9 Feb 2020 16:08
Compare it yourself.
With us, electricity costs about 27 cents per kWh and electricity for heat pumps costs 21 cents per kWh. No idea if it’s more expensive elsewhere, but the chart clearly suggests that.
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T_im_Norden
9 Feb 2020 16:27
Yes, they do; network charges increase the cost, for example in Schleswig-Holstein, we have some of the highest expenses.
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Deliverer
10 Feb 2020 13:44
Fascinating how one can discuss this topic for 60 posts without once mentioning CO2...

*duckandrun*