ᐅ Air-to-water heat pump without buffer tank | Heating contractor refers to building energy regulation requirement
Created on: 8 Feb 2022 11:48
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Stravanzer
Hello everyone,
I have used the search function but couldn't find any information on my issue.
Our current building project is still in the planning phase. We are constructing a single-family home (KFW 55 EE) through a general contractor. Everything is arranged so far, the KfW funding is approved and confirmed. So far, so good! The trades are currently being discussed, and I am in a dispute with the heating engineer commissioned by the general contractor.
Content of the scope of work:
Air-to-water heat pump with electronic radiator thermostats (ERT) and buffer tank, etc.
My execution request:
An air-to-water heat pump without ERTs and buffer tank, as I want to use the “self-regulating effect” (calculation of the hydraulic balancing or the minimum/total volume flow to avoid using a buffer tank and bypass valve in the hydraulic system, in order to heat the house more energy efficiently).
Also, the ERTs in the individual rooms should not be connected or only installed as visual elements.
The heating engineer says that, due to the current applicable energy saving regulations, he is not allowed to install the air-to-water heat pump without a buffer tank. If the inspection by the energy consultant has yet to be completed, it would not be approved because of the missing equipment (buffer tank + ERTs). He insists on a buffer tank!
What options do I have as the client to still receive an air-to-water heat pump without a buffer tank and ERTs? Is there actually an inspection by the energy consultant? Is this common?
Maybe the community here has some tips or possibly even a solution? Thanks in advance for any help.
Best regards,
Tom
I have used the search function but couldn't find any information on my issue.
Our current building project is still in the planning phase. We are constructing a single-family home (KFW 55 EE) through a general contractor. Everything is arranged so far, the KfW funding is approved and confirmed. So far, so good! The trades are currently being discussed, and I am in a dispute with the heating engineer commissioned by the general contractor.
Content of the scope of work:
Air-to-water heat pump with electronic radiator thermostats (ERT) and buffer tank, etc.
My execution request:
An air-to-water heat pump without ERTs and buffer tank, as I want to use the “self-regulating effect” (calculation of the hydraulic balancing or the minimum/total volume flow to avoid using a buffer tank and bypass valve in the hydraulic system, in order to heat the house more energy efficiently).
Also, the ERTs in the individual rooms should not be connected or only installed as visual elements.
The heating engineer says that, due to the current applicable energy saving regulations, he is not allowed to install the air-to-water heat pump without a buffer tank. If the inspection by the energy consultant has yet to be completed, it would not be approved because of the missing equipment (buffer tank + ERTs). He insists on a buffer tank!
What options do I have as the client to still receive an air-to-water heat pump without a buffer tank and ERTs? Is there actually an inspection by the energy consultant? Is this common?
Maybe the community here has some tips or possibly even a solution? Thanks in advance for any help.
Best regards,
Tom
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florian938 Feb 2022 19:32Hangman schrieb:
Since we didn’t want to start a small war over the ERRs, we agreed with the heating technician on “zones” where similar temperatures could be controlled. That means we have a total of three ERRs: one ERR for all living areas (such as the kitchen, dining room, office, children’s rooms, etc.), one for bathrooms (a bit warmer), and the third for sleeping areas (a bit cooler).
In practice, we rarely use them (they’re really not necessary), but I didn’t want to risk any conflicts with the building authorities. And for me, that was worth the few ERRs 😉But doesn’t the energy saving regulation require that every room larger than 6 square meters (65 square feet) must be equipped with its own ERR?
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florian938 Feb 2022 19:56Hangman schrieb:
Really? Hmm, then we probably have multi-room zones 😳Do you maybe just have "combined" ERR? Like a control system that adjusts the airflow in several rooms at the same time?
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Martial.white8 Feb 2022 20:33If nothing else works, have a 25-liter (6.6-gallon) buffer tank installed. I believe the efficiency loss is so minimal that I would rather accept it than keep struggling with the heater indefinitely.
Stravanzer9 Feb 2022 08:29Martial.white schrieb:
If nothing else works, have a 25-liter (6.6-gallon) buffer tank installed. I believe the efficiency loss is so small that I’d rather accept that than argue endlessly with the heating engineer.I’m now waiting for the letter from the independent inspector and will submit the application afterward.
Depending on the decision, I will then deal with the heating engineer.
I still have about 10–12 weeks. Maybe everything will go as planned, or I’ll have to make compromises.
(Powerless open actuators, etc...)
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Alessandro9 Feb 2022 08:44Just have the buffer installed directly in the return line instead of as a separate storage tank. This way, you have no losses at all and everyone is happy.
If I were the heating engineer, I would of course also want to install the buffer as specified in the contract, since it brings him money too.
If I were the heating engineer, I would of course also want to install the buffer as specified in the contract, since it brings him money too.