ᐅ Heat pump or solar thermal system with radiators

Created on: 28 Aug 2022 16:58
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sven_de
Hello, I’m not sure if this is the right place, but I’ll give it a try:

We fell in love with a house, and everything seems fine except for one thing.
The heating/hot water system is entirely gas-based (gas instant water heater).

The house was built in 1886 and was fully renovated in 2001 according to the building energy act (the heating system is about the same age). A few key points:
- Radiators installed only in the bathroom and partially in the living room, which also has underfloor heating
- No basement
- Very small utility room, about 4 sqm (43 sq ft), approximately 1.14 m (3.7 ft) wide and 4.08 m (13.4 ft) long
- Low ceiling height (approximately 2.15 m (7 ft) downstairs and 1.96–1.98 m (6.4–6.5 ft) upstairs)

Now we are considering alternative options, so here are my questions (think of them as brainstorming for ideas):
- An energy consultant suggested solar thermal, but it seems the storage tank might not fit in the utility room?
- Would an air-source heat pump work with just radiators?
- What other solutions might be possible? There is no fireplace either. I don’t have much experience, so I’m a bit stuck.

I hope this information is helpful. I’m just looking for some ideas, not a complete solution.
Thanks!!
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netuser
29 Aug 2022 09:49
i_b_n_a_n schrieb:

It’s like being in love with a woman 😉 At first, you see everything through rose-colored glasses.

😀 You said it. I only "realized" how short my wife is after we got married. Ha ha.

No, seriously. With a ceiling height of 2m (6 ft 7 in), the threshold of my tolerance limit would definitely be exceeded as well.
DeepRed29 Aug 2022 13:01
We also have a ceiling height of 2.15 m (7 ft) on the ground floor, which is already quite tight for me (1.86 m / 6 ft 1 in). However, the ground floor only includes the entrance, hallway, guest toilet, guest room, and bathroom. I would also try a heat pump; anything else doesn’t make much sense at the moment. Perhaps there is still some funding available from the Bafa?
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sven_de
29 Aug 2022 18:32
Thanks first of all for the responses. On Wednesday, we will take a closer look at everything.
Ceiling height is also a topic; raising it would be possible. Personally, 2.15 m (7 ft) on the lower floor does not bother me, we currently have only 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in) as well.

A heat pump seems to make the most sense, if I may summarize here. I will wait for Wednesday and then we will see.
At least I have a direction for now.
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SaniererNRW123
29 Aug 2022 18:40
sven_de schrieb:

The ceiling height is also an issue; raising it would be possible. Personally, 2.15 m (7 ft) downstairs doesn’t bother me, we currently have only 2.20 m (7 ft 3 in) as well.

The height doesn’t bother me either. But once you’re used to modern, standard 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) ceilings, you won’t feel that way anymore.
You aren’t missing anything you haven’t experienced before 😉 . I wouldn’t even consider looking at a house with those ceiling heights because I wouldn’t accept them.

It’s like test-driving a 1980 Fiat because you’re only familiar with a 1975 Peugeot. Once you sit in a 2020 Mercedes, you won’t want the old car anymore. Except maybe if you’re a fan.
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sven_de
30 Aug 2022 18:47
SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

The height isn’t really an issue. But once you’ve experienced modern standard ceilings of 2.50m (8 ft 2 in), you won’t settle for less. You won’t miss anything you haven’t had before 😉 . I personally wouldn’t even consider a house with those ceiling heights because I just can’t accept them.

It’s like test-driving a Fiat from 1980 when you’re used to a Peugeot from 1975. Once you sit in a Mercedes from 2020, you won’t want the old car anymore. Except for enthusiasts, of course.
There’s definitely some truth to that, by the way, good comparison 🙂
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Snowy36
30 Aug 2022 23:23
SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

The height isn’t really an issue. But once you’re used to normal, modern 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) ceilings, you won’t say that anymore. You don’t miss anything you haven’t already experienced before 😉 I wouldn’t even consider a house with these ceiling heights because I wouldn’t accept them myself.

It’s like test driving a 1980 Fiat just because you only ever knew a 1975 Peugeot. Once you’ve sat in a 2020 Mercedes, you won’t want the old car anymore—for enthusiasts, of course, that’s different.

No, but you also wouldn’t tell me that you’d never want to buy a car with only 34 horsepower just because you once had 170 hp. I don’t understand the comparison… he has fallen in love with the house, so he doesn’t want or need 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) ceilings.

My Beetle only has 34 hp as well. I love it, so don’t come at me with Porsche specs now.