ᐅ New Single-Family Home Built to KfW55 Standard – Which Heating System to Choose?
Created on: 19 Jul 2020 12:19
T
Traube348
Hello everyone,
I have read many articles and would now like to benefit from the extensive knowledge of the members here.
A brief overview of my building project:
- Single-family house with approximately 160sqm (1,722 sq ft) of living space
- No basement, 2 full floors with an unfinished attic
- Relatively large window areas and an open-plan design with a staircase in the living area
- Underfloor heating throughout the house with tile flooring
- KfW 55 standard with timber frame construction
- A wood-burning stove will be installed
Unfortunately, I have little experience in this area and rely on recommendations from others regarding heating.
On the ground floor, we have a utility room of 8sqm (86 sq ft) where we would like to accommodate all the technical equipment.
The builder recommends installing a central ventilation system, which we would like to do.
Now to my question:
There is a gas connection in our building area, and a friend told me we should definitely heat with a gas boiler. To meet the KfW standard, according to the energy consultant, we still need to install 9sqm (97 sq ft) of solar panels on the roof.
A heating engineer friend advises: choose an air-to-water heat pump – split system Weishaupt LS 8-BREK – so you can avoid the solar requirement.
I have requested quotes for both options from different heating engineers, and they come out roughly the same in price.
Since I have heard many statements opposing air-to-water heat pumps, I tend to prefer gas.
However, the main challenge is the limited space in the utility room. In addition to the heating system, the two-flue fireplace, and the ventilation system, the electrical control cabinet as well as the washing machine and dryer are also planned to be located there.
Is there anyone who has faced a similar space issue?
What would you recommend?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
I have read many articles and would now like to benefit from the extensive knowledge of the members here.
A brief overview of my building project:
- Single-family house with approximately 160sqm (1,722 sq ft) of living space
- No basement, 2 full floors with an unfinished attic
- Relatively large window areas and an open-plan design with a staircase in the living area
- Underfloor heating throughout the house with tile flooring
- KfW 55 standard with timber frame construction
- A wood-burning stove will be installed
Unfortunately, I have little experience in this area and rely on recommendations from others regarding heating.
On the ground floor, we have a utility room of 8sqm (86 sq ft) where we would like to accommodate all the technical equipment.
The builder recommends installing a central ventilation system, which we would like to do.
Now to my question:
There is a gas connection in our building area, and a friend told me we should definitely heat with a gas boiler. To meet the KfW standard, according to the energy consultant, we still need to install 9sqm (97 sq ft) of solar panels on the roof.
A heating engineer friend advises: choose an air-to-water heat pump – split system Weishaupt LS 8-BREK – so you can avoid the solar requirement.
I have requested quotes for both options from different heating engineers, and they come out roughly the same in price.
Since I have heard many statements opposing air-to-water heat pumps, I tend to prefer gas.
However, the main challenge is the limited space in the utility room. In addition to the heating system, the two-flue fireplace, and the ventilation system, the electrical control cabinet as well as the washing machine and dryer are also planned to be located there.
Is there anyone who has faced a similar space issue?
What would you recommend?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
P
pagoni202022 Jul 2020 22:55DaSch17 schrieb:
I completely agree with you. Personally, I would also prefer gas. However, in most new development areas – like ours – gas lines are unfortunately no longer being installed.
So the only options left are air-source heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps, or ground-source heat pumps...or liquid propane gas.T
T_im_Norden22 Jul 2020 22:55In my opinion, you will face significant costs.
Electric underfloor heating means a direct conversion of electricity into heat.
Especially in small rooms, you simply don’t have enough surface area to achieve this effectively.
The heat output is also limited due to the surface temperature.
If your supplier promotes this concept, they have probably built other houses using it.
Ask for references and talk to the homeowners.
Electric underfloor heating means a direct conversion of electricity into heat.
Especially in small rooms, you simply don’t have enough surface area to achieve this effectively.
The heat output is also limited due to the surface temperature.
If your supplier promotes this concept, they have probably built other houses using it.
Ask for references and talk to the homeowners.
N
nordanney22 Jul 2020 22:55With the approximately €30 per month you calculated, you can supply the entire house including domestic hot water with a heat pump.
T_im_Norden schrieb:
In my opinion, you will face significant costs.
Electric underfloor heating converts electricity directly into heat with 1:1 efficiency.
Especially in small rooms, you don’t have enough surface area to implement this effectively.
The heat output is also limited by the surface temperature.
If your supplier promotes this concept, they have surely built other houses using it.
Ask them for references and speak with the homeowners. Good idea. I will definitely bring this up at the next meeting.
nordanney schrieb:
With the roughly €30 (about $33) per month you calculated, you could run the entire house including hot water with a heat pump. That’s true. Even I’m not convinced by my own calculation...
Lumpi_LE schrieb:
If you need to save money, it’s better to leave out 4 square meters than to do something like this... We don’t need to save. It’s about developing a concept.
But even with a gas heating system, air-to-water heat pump, or ground-source heat pump, don’t I still need to provide additional heating in the bathrooms temporarily?
And because of the inertia of the water-based underfloor heating, I can’t handle that without an additional heat source, right?
So that leaves me here too with either an additional electric radiator or infrared heating, doesn’t it?
Lumpi_LE schrieb:
If you like having 26°C (79°F) in the bathroom and 18°C (64°F) in the bedroom next door, then yes. You should give up on that in a low-energy house, then you won’t have this problem. It is about maintaining a consistent 21°C (70°F) in all rooms, with a temporary increase of 2–3°C (4–6°F) in the bathrooms in the mornings/evenings for female comfort.
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