Hello,
I am currently planning my construction project for an urban villa (KfW40+) with about 140m² (1507 sq ft) plus a waterproof basement.
I have four prefabricated house companies (timber frame construction) to choose from, all of which have different opinions regarding the heating technology.
A water pump is the only option that makes sense, that much is clear. Everything else does not seem reasonable.
However, I am undecided between a Proxon system (air-to-air) and an air-to-water heat pump.
The Proxon heating system has a somewhat poor reputation, based on what I have read in various other forums.
Are there any experiences or tips regarding the heating technology? What are your recommendations? Is it also possible to have the heating system installed externally by a heating company and exclude the prefabricated house provider? Has anyone had experience with this? What are your general experiences or approaches with prefabricated house companies regarding heating technology?
I would appreciate any advice.
Kind regards
Simon
I am currently planning my construction project for an urban villa (KfW40+) with about 140m² (1507 sq ft) plus a waterproof basement.
I have four prefabricated house companies (timber frame construction) to choose from, all of which have different opinions regarding the heating technology.
A water pump is the only option that makes sense, that much is clear. Everything else does not seem reasonable.
However, I am undecided between a Proxon system (air-to-air) and an air-to-water heat pump.
The Proxon heating system has a somewhat poor reputation, based on what I have read in various other forums.
Are there any experiences or tips regarding the heating technology? What are your recommendations? Is it also possible to have the heating system installed externally by a heating company and exclude the prefabricated house provider? Has anyone had experience with this? What are your general experiences or approaches with prefabricated house companies regarding heating technology?
I would appreciate any advice.
Kind regards
Simon
I can only tell you how it is for us. Apart from our house, I only know newly built houses with underfloor heating. We use the Stiebel Eltron LWZ604 air system and have a passive house.
Dry air is an issue in almost every new build with controlled mechanical ventilation. In such cases, I would recommend using an enthalpy heat exchanger. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps.
Our heating system responds slowly when heating up quickly. However, I believe heating systems in new builds are generally slower compared to older systems with higher flow temperatures, due to their lower flow temperatures.
Our supply air comes from the floor and the exhaust air is at ceiling level. The room temperature is distributed evenly. No hot feet and cold heads, and no unpleasant drafts.
Dry air is an issue in almost every new build with controlled mechanical ventilation. In such cases, I would recommend using an enthalpy heat exchanger. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps.
Our heating system responds slowly when heating up quickly. However, I believe heating systems in new builds are generally slower compared to older systems with higher flow temperatures, due to their lower flow temperatures.
Our supply air comes from the floor and the exhaust air is at ceiling level. The room temperature is distributed evenly. No hot feet and cold heads, and no unpleasant drafts.
You should only consider an air-to-air heat pump if your house meets at least Passive House standards, and even then, be cautious.
Don’t let any commission-driven home salespeople convince you otherwise. Their perspective usually only extends as far as their warranty period.
You, however, will have to deal with it for a very long time.
With an air-to-air heat pump, you don’t have hydronic (water-based) heating surfaces inside the house, and these can’t simply be retrofitted later. Then you’ll end up relying on electric heaters and photovoltaic systems just to minimize the damage.
This may sound harsh, but with these systems, you are 90% likely to face problems.
Don’t let any commission-driven home salespeople convince you otherwise. Their perspective usually only extends as far as their warranty period.
You, however, will have to deal with it for a very long time.
With an air-to-air heat pump, you don’t have hydronic (water-based) heating surfaces inside the house, and these can’t simply be retrofitted later. Then you’ll end up relying on electric heaters and photovoltaic systems just to minimize the damage.
This may sound harsh, but with these systems, you are 90% likely to face problems.
Hello, we had also considered timber frame construction at one point. After researching the heating system, we ruled it out. The additional cost for underfloor heating combined with an air-to-water heat pump was minimal.
What surprised me more was that cooling for the summer was included at the same time. Cooling wouldn’t be possible with just an air-to-water heat pump, right? So does that mean the house gets too warm in summer and cooling is necessary? Or is it just a nice gimmick?
For other reasons, we have now switched to a solid construction method.
Best regards, Anna_BW
What surprised me more was that cooling for the summer was included at the same time. Cooling wouldn’t be possible with just an air-to-water heat pump, right? So does that mean the house gets too warm in summer and cooling is necessary? Or is it just a nice gimmick?
For other reasons, we have now switched to a solid construction method.
Best regards, Anna_BW
Anna_BW schrieb:
Hello, we had also considered light wood framing construction at one point. After researching the heating system, we dismissed it. The additional cost for underfloor heating combined with an air-to-water heat pump was minimal.
What surprised me more was that cooling for the summer was included at the same time. Cooling wouldn’t normally be available with an air-to-water heat pump, right? So does that mean the house gets too warm in summer, making cooling necessary? Or is it just a nice gimmick?
For other reasons, we have now switched to a solid construction method.
Best regards, Anna What exactly does the type of wood framing construction have to do with the heating system? Or how should this statement be understood? I thought that regardless of the construction method (solid house or timber frame house), you can choose any heating system—the only difference is which combinations make sense and which don’t?
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