K
Königsbiene10 Jun 2013 09:44Good morning,
we have been going back and forth—new construction or existing property. However, for various reasons, we will take another 2 to 3 years before making a decision.
In the meantime, we are already mentally planning our new build. Building or renovation is really our hobby—we love wandering through exhibitions at home improvement stores and pay close attention when visiting others’ homes.
That said, no new construction is actually planned yet, no conversations with contractors have taken place—so far, it’s all just ideas.
There are two points on which I would appreciate honest feedback from experts, current homeowners, and those who have lived in their new homes for some time.
We are currently considering installing radiators throughout the new build—no underfloor heating.
However, we could imagine having underfloor heating in tiled areas (kitchen and bathroom).
The heating would, of course, be gas-fired. We are currently not 100% convinced about geothermal heat pumps.
At the moment, we rent a detached single-family home built in the mid-1990s. Gas heating. Underfloor heating on the ground floor, radiators upstairs. Separate heating circuits. The underfloor heating is about 20 years old and operates with a supply temperature around 35°C (95°F).
I actually like the underfloor heating, but these points speak against it for me:
What do you think? Basically, I appreciate underfloor heating a lot, especially because of the low supply temperature and the possibility of switching to geothermal or a similar system in 20 years…
2. Controlled mechanical ventilation.
We might decide against it because we have heard that it tends to equalize the temperature in all rooms. As mentioned, our bedrooms are cold while the living room is warm.
We ventilate sufficiently in spring and summer. We basically have an open house—all windows and doors are open all the time. We enjoy the fresh summer air and love the sounds, the birdsong…
However, in winter, our ventilation behavior in the living and kitchen areas leaves something to be desired.
What are your thoughts?
We would appreciate open and honest answers. Nothing is decided yet, nothing is lost—all options are open and possible.
We are grateful for any suggestions or shared experiences!
we have been going back and forth—new construction or existing property. However, for various reasons, we will take another 2 to 3 years before making a decision.
In the meantime, we are already mentally planning our new build. Building or renovation is really our hobby—we love wandering through exhibitions at home improvement stores and pay close attention when visiting others’ homes.
That said, no new construction is actually planned yet, no conversations with contractors have taken place—so far, it’s all just ideas.
There are two points on which I would appreciate honest feedback from experts, current homeowners, and those who have lived in their new homes for some time.
- Heating
We are currently considering installing radiators throughout the new build—no underfloor heating.
However, we could imagine having underfloor heating in tiled areas (kitchen and bathroom).
The heating would, of course, be gas-fired. We are currently not 100% convinced about geothermal heat pumps.
At the moment, we rent a detached single-family home built in the mid-1990s. Gas heating. Underfloor heating on the ground floor, radiators upstairs. Separate heating circuits. The underfloor heating is about 20 years old and operates with a supply temperature around 35°C (95°F).
I actually like the underfloor heating, but these points speak against it for me:
- Thermal inertia. Especially during transitional seasons, I found this frustrating. Also, in the evenings, I like to quickly turn up the heat in the living room to make it cozy warm. That’s not possible with our old underfloor heating. By the time it heats up, I’m already in bed.
- We and our children sleep in cold rooms, i.e., with windows open. I wonder how that works with underfloor heating. During the day, the children stay in their warm rooms—even if the underfloor heating is switched off and the windows are open, the room doesn’t really cool down quickly because of the inertia of the underfloor system...
- I love standing next to a hot radiator to warm up, warming up my blanket on it before going to bed, or drying shoes or clothes.
What do you think? Basically, I appreciate underfloor heating a lot, especially because of the low supply temperature and the possibility of switching to geothermal or a similar system in 20 years…
2. Controlled mechanical ventilation.
We might decide against it because we have heard that it tends to equalize the temperature in all rooms. As mentioned, our bedrooms are cold while the living room is warm.
We ventilate sufficiently in spring and summer. We basically have an open house—all windows and doors are open all the time. We enjoy the fresh summer air and love the sounds, the birdsong…
However, in winter, our ventilation behavior in the living and kitchen areas leaves something to be desired.
What are your thoughts?
We would appreciate open and honest answers. Nothing is decided yet, nothing is lost—all options are open and possible.
We are grateful for any suggestions or shared experiences!
Hello,
Best regards
Königsbiene schrieb:Why does gas have a unique advantage here?
....Heating would naturally be with gas.
Königsbiene schrieb:Heat pumps each require specific conditions depending on the type of source (air, ground, water).
....At the moment, we are not 100% convinced about a ground source heat pump anyway.
Königsbiene schrieb:Requirements cannot be more diffuse than this! You can’t have everything for almost zero cost; priorities must be set. Every solution has advantages but also disadvantages. “If you want one thing, you have to accept or be able to deal with the other!”
...Actually, I like underfloor heating. What speaks against it for me is:....Basically, I really appreciate underfloor heating, ...
Königsbiene schrieb:In 20 years, it might no longer be allowed to extract geothermal energy for free. Also, by then, you will have already consumed so much energy that a switch considering the remaining useful life and inflation probably won’t be economical anymore.
...especially the aspect of the low flow temperature and thus the possibility of switching to ground source drilling or something similar in 20 years…
Königsbiene schrieb:How is this “heard” technically substantiated? Not at all! This conclusion points to insufficient planning or dimensioning. Probably a few euros saved by not commissioning proper and precise HVAC planning or a general contractor/developer project.
...We might possibly do without it, since we heard that this causes the indoor climate (temperature) to equalize in all rooms.
Königsbiene schrieb:You couldn’t be more energy inefficient unless you have an unlimited budget! You don’t even have control over the current situation, so it’s unlikely to improve in the future.
...We basically have an open house – all windows and doors are constantly open.
Königsbiene schrieb:Careful, precise planning and dimensioning by an independent, unbiased HVAC planner or energy consultant is highly recommended!
...We appreciate any suggestions...
Best regards
Der Da schrieb:
... But heat pumps did not convince us, mainly because of the high initial cost. They can harness renewable energy, which is not possible when using gas, heating oil, or pellets! Der Da schrieb:
... We have now been living in the house for 3 months, ... Truly a long-term, reliable forecast/recommendation for others without knowing the specific conditions and framework! What is helpful for A works barely for B and becomes a money pit for C!
Best regards
Well, gas is somehow considered a form of environmental energy.
My intention was not to convince the original poster of anything. They wanted some food for thought, and that I can provide.
The original poster also mentioned a new build, so I assume it is at least close to KfW 70 standard. There are usually some requirements to meet.
After three months of extreme weather, I can very well estimate how high MY heating demand will be.
My intention was not to convince the original poster of anything. They wanted some food for thought, and that I can provide.
The original poster also mentioned a new build, so I assume it is at least close to KfW 70 standard. There are usually some requirements to meet.
After three months of extreme weather, I can very well estimate how high MY heating demand will be.
K
Königsbiene10 Jun 2013 14:13Thank you very much for the detailed response!
Feel free to send me the ventilation system details via private message. How does that work here?
Precisely because the request for "radiators" is such an uncommon one, I wanted to ask here and maybe get some answers as to why this is no longer a topic in new builds. I understand the flow temperature and the visual aspect. But are these really the only reasons why everyone chooses underfloor heating?
Wow, you really pay very little per month! Do you also have a fireplace? Aren't those figures what the geothermal heating supporters usually promote as well?
Feel free to send me the ventilation system details via private message. How does that work here?
Precisely because the request for "radiators" is such an uncommon one, I wanted to ask here and maybe get some answers as to why this is no longer a topic in new builds. I understand the flow temperature and the visual aspect. But are these really the only reasons why everyone chooses underfloor heating?
Wow, you really pay very little per month! Do you also have a fireplace? Aren't those figures what the geothermal heating supporters usually promote as well?
P
perlenmann10 Jun 2013 14:13Controlled residential ventilation: I wouldn’t want to be without it, and in summer you can simply turn it off and open the windows wide. You’ll notice that in winter, it’s perfectly possible to sleep without open windows! And what DerDa writes about diapers also applies to all other human-related odors.
I also wouldn’t want to be without underfloor heating. This is the first time in my life living with underfloor heating; before, I only experienced it during visits.
@DerDa: Are you serious? A 3-month consumption forecast? As €uro already mentioned, important conditions are missing, but €35 seems very high since those weren’t the winter months! And for the €12,000, was the gas connection and solar system (or whatever measure you have) already offset?
I also wouldn’t want to be without underfloor heating. This is the first time in my life living with underfloor heating; before, I only experienced it during visits.
@DerDa: Are you serious? A 3-month consumption forecast? As €uro already mentioned, important conditions are missing, but €35 seems very high since those weren’t the winter months! And for the €12,000, was the gas connection and solar system (or whatever measure you have) already offset?
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