ᐅ Replacing the Heating System in an Older Home – Gas or Air Source Heat Pump
Created on: 27 Sep 2020 07:37
J
Jule_Neu
Dear forum members,
We recently purchased a house and have been in contact with our heating contractor for some time, considering how to upgrade the heating system. The house is an end-of-terrace with a split-level design – meaning the floors are mostly open to each other. Currently, there is a relatively new gas condensing boiler installed, about 4 years old. The problem is that all radiators are connected to a one-pipe system, which is very inefficient and also incompatible with future heating systems. This was the main reason we started thinking seriously about the heating system. Otherwise, we would have just replaced a few radiators.
After many discussions and considerations, we have at least decided that we want to switch to underfloor heating. The rooms are quite small, the radiators significantly interfere with the interior design, and we have a small child who usually spends half the day on the floor. Since the whole house needs renovation anyway (floors, walls, bathrooms), we will be removing everything regardless. Installing the underfloor heating would not cause much additional effort.
Our heating contractor suggested underfloor heating combined with an air-source heat pump, partly because there are currently good subsidy options for this. At first, we really liked the idea, but doubts are beginning to arise. Our house is exactly 3 meters (10 feet) from the neighbor’s boundary, and the air-source heat pump would have to be installed within this 3-meter (10 feet) space. We definitely want to avoid any trouble with the neighbors, and we are also unsure if we would get annoyed by the humming noise from the air-source heat pump eventually, since our kitchen window/dining area would be directly above the unit.
So we are now wondering if it is really necessary to replace the existing condensing boiler. Could we not run the underfloor heating using this existing system? Of course, we would lose the subsidy, but this seems more reasonable to us right now. Or are we mistaken and do gas costs then skyrocket when operating an underfloor heating system?
Another point that bothers us is the relatively high electricity costs of the air-source heat pump. By our calculations, the electricity costs would be roughly the same as the gas consumption with the current gas heating system (the house is still rented, so we know the consumption). Aside from the ecological aspect, we can’t see any advantage for us.
We would really appreciate your feedback, as we need to make a decision soon.
We recently purchased a house and have been in contact with our heating contractor for some time, considering how to upgrade the heating system. The house is an end-of-terrace with a split-level design – meaning the floors are mostly open to each other. Currently, there is a relatively new gas condensing boiler installed, about 4 years old. The problem is that all radiators are connected to a one-pipe system, which is very inefficient and also incompatible with future heating systems. This was the main reason we started thinking seriously about the heating system. Otherwise, we would have just replaced a few radiators.
After many discussions and considerations, we have at least decided that we want to switch to underfloor heating. The rooms are quite small, the radiators significantly interfere with the interior design, and we have a small child who usually spends half the day on the floor. Since the whole house needs renovation anyway (floors, walls, bathrooms), we will be removing everything regardless. Installing the underfloor heating would not cause much additional effort.
Our heating contractor suggested underfloor heating combined with an air-source heat pump, partly because there are currently good subsidy options for this. At first, we really liked the idea, but doubts are beginning to arise. Our house is exactly 3 meters (10 feet) from the neighbor’s boundary, and the air-source heat pump would have to be installed within this 3-meter (10 feet) space. We definitely want to avoid any trouble with the neighbors, and we are also unsure if we would get annoyed by the humming noise from the air-source heat pump eventually, since our kitchen window/dining area would be directly above the unit.
So we are now wondering if it is really necessary to replace the existing condensing boiler. Could we not run the underfloor heating using this existing system? Of course, we would lose the subsidy, but this seems more reasonable to us right now. Or are we mistaken and do gas costs then skyrocket when operating an underfloor heating system?
Another point that bothers us is the relatively high electricity costs of the air-source heat pump. By our calculations, the electricity costs would be roughly the same as the gas consumption with the current gas heating system (the house is still rented, so we know the consumption). Aside from the ecological aspect, we can’t see any advantage for us.
We would really appreciate your feedback, as we need to make a decision soon.
Thank you for the many responses. In the next few days, we will discuss again with our heating engineer the possibility of combining the BWT system with the underfloor heating. We have definitely already decided on underfloor heating. It saves us a lot of space to do without radiators, especially since our rooms are generally small.
We were just not sure which option is more cost-effective in the long run. Taking into account the BAFA subsidy, which—as we were told—also covers floor coverings, both options are about equal in cost.
We were just not sure which option is more cost-effective in the long run. Taking into account the BAFA subsidy, which—as we were told—also covers floor coverings, both options are about equal in cost.
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nordanney27 Sep 2020 18:34Jule_Neu schrieb:
Including the BAFA subsidy, which – as we were told – also covers flooring,You probably mean KfW.T
T_im_Norden27 Sep 2020 18:48No, BAFA is the correct authority for heat pumps in existing buildings.
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nordanney27 Sep 2020 18:55T_im_Norden schrieb:
No, BAFA is correct for heat pumps in existing buildings.Alright then. I’m getting funding through the KfW. That gives me a higher grant, including for the new flooring. That’s why I didn’t look further into BAFA.
T
T_im_Norden27 Sep 2020 18:58I believe they can be combined
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