ᐅ Newcomer Seeks Advice – When Should Planning Start?

Ysop*** schrieb:

I wouldn’t start with gimmicks that probably aren’t within your budget (air conditioning).

Keep in mind that you’ll still have to make compromises with a new build because of the plot, building regulations / planning permission, and budget. It will never be perfect.

Yes, that’s my question, and as I said, we want to avoid air conditioning anyway if a good indoor climate can be achieved in other ways. Considering the past summers, I can definitely do without 30-degree (86°F) nights 🙂

nordanney schrieb:

Nevertheless, make a list of what is important to you and why. Understanding the reasons can encourage reflection and help prioritize the points.

At the same time, consider a lifestyle concept. It’s not about what you want to live in, but how.

Ysop*** schrieb:

Also keep in mind that compromises will be necessary even with a new build.

Compromises are not a bad thing; they happen at various levels and, in this country, are usually made by homeowners at a fairly high level.
We tend to view things negatively and talk about “giving up” — for example, an air conditioning system. But when focusing on what we create as homeowners, life becomes much more enjoyable.
An example from the car world we know, which already feels somewhat outdated:
I can drive a straight-six engine and enjoy the driving comfort. Or, I can drive the same straight-six and, thinking about having lost the second cylinder bank, can’t shake the feeling that I’m only driving with half an engine. The compromises involved in downsizing can be really tough, but you can genuinely learn to live with half an engine without being unhappy.
Anyone detecting irony in this example may take it seriously; those who don’t should please not take any of this seriously at all.

criberg schrieb:

Yes, my question is, and as I said, we want to avoid air conditioning anyway if it’s possible to achieve a good indoor climate another way. Looking at recent summers, I can definitely do without 30-degree nights 🙂

No, you can’t really manage it otherwise. A cooling heat pump might reduce the temperature by 2-3 degrees. During the day, it’s best to keep all the shutters closed as well. But then the house gets quite dark 😉
Otherwise, like most people, you have to live with the temperatures. Once the heat is inside the house, it stays there—that’s what good insulation does.

P.S. What exactly do you mean by indoor climate? Just temperature?

criberg schrieb:

This means rooms can also be cooled in summer, which I think is better than using an extra air conditioner that consumes additional electricity, right?

Only to a limited extent. The floor can be cooled this way. In summer, however, you want to cool the air inside the rooms and also dehumidify it because that’s what people actually perceive as warmth indoors.

I don’t want to spoil the hype around heat pumps, but a heat pump is basically exactly what you don’t want. It is an air conditioner operating in reverse, which heats the air or water inside the house instead of cooling it. The operating principle and main components are the same as those of a regular air conditioner, only the scale and the medium affected/used differ somewhat.

criberg schrieb:

We want to avoid using an air conditioner anyway if a good indoor climate can be achieved another way.

That’s difficult with today’s construction methods. Buildings are designed to keep heat inside, and are built accordingly. When summer comes, that can come as a surprise. At minimum, a well-thought-out shading concept is necessary.

criberg schrieb:

Looking at recent summers, I could definitely do without 30-degree nights.

That will most likely not improve in the future.

Good indoor climate during hot summers (up to 49°C (120°F) dry heat in the shade) without air conditioning was experienced in an adobe brick house in New Mexico. Walls made of clay up to 80cm (31 inches) thick. Warm in winter, cool in summer. This is neither typical for the region nor cost-effective or space-efficient. Alternatively, consider building the bedroom in the basement or providing a summer sleeping area there.

hampshire schrieb:

At the same time, think about a lifestyle concept. It’s not where you want to live that matters, but how.

So the “how” definitely takes priority; the only fixed aspect of the “where” is “a house.” Nothing more, nothing less.

nordanney schrieb:

No, it can’t really be done otherwise. A cooling heat pump might make a difference of 2–3 degrees. During the day, it’s best to keep all the blinds down. But then it gets dark inside the house 😉
Otherwise, like almost everyone, you just live with the temperatures. Once heat gets inside, it stays there—good insulation takes care of that.

P.S. What exactly do you mean by indoor climate? Only temperatures?

We have already been keeping all windows closed and shaded for some time; last year we also got a portable air conditioner. Otherwise, thermal roller blinds on the windows and only opening them at night at most.
Regarding P.S.: So far, it seems I have only considered temperatures, if you ask me like that 😀

Mycraft schrieb:

Only to a limited extent. The floor can be cooled that way. But in summer, you want the air inside the rooms to be cool, and you also need to dehumidify, because that’s what people actually feel as warmth indoors.

I don’t want to spoil the hype around heat pumps, but a heat pump is basically exactly what you don’t want. It’s an air conditioning unit running in reverse, so it heats the air/water inside the house instead of cooling it. The operation and main components are the same as in a usual air conditioner, only the scale and the medium involved differ somewhat.

It’s tricky with today’s construction methods. The idea is to keep the heat inside, so buildings are designed accordingly. Then summer comes as a rude awakening. At least a well-thought-out shading concept is needed.

This will most likely not improve in the future either.

Regarding air conditioning and heat pumps, I meant that the air conditioner is “on top” of the main climate control solution like a heat pump. I haven’t checked the total cost of installing an air conditioner, so I don’t know if it would fit the budget.

hampshire schrieb:

Good indoor climate during hot summers (up to 49°C (120°F) dry heat in the shade) without air conditioning I experienced in an adobe brick house in New Mexico. Walls up to 80cm (31 inches) thick made of clay. Warm in winter, cool in summer. Here, this is neither common nor affordable, nor optimized for floor area. Alternatively, build the bedroom in the basement or provide a summer sleeping area there.

Originally, my partner and I were excited about earth-sheltered houses (actually still are), but there seem to be some insurmountable obstacles to realizing this. Especially regarding permits/planning permissions and even the requirements for the plot itself.

Back to the original question: I am 30 and will turn 31 this year. My partner will be 29 this year. Ideally, we would like to move into our own home in about 3 years. When would be the right time to start dealing with the first steps? We don’t have a plot of land yet.