Good morning everyone,
we have found a plot of land and are currently in the initial consultation phase with various providers. Of course, we have already started thinking about a possible floor plan for our semi-detached house (with an air-source heat pump and underfloor heating) and would like to have all the building services located in the finished and insulated attic. About a year ago, we almost bought a nearly turnkey semi-detached house where everything (heating system, water tank, washing machine, etc.) was placed in one room in the attic. We found that very charming, as it saved valuable space on the ground floor.
However, the feedback from the construction companies so far is roughly: 20% possible (possibly with minor additional costs), and 80% definitely not possible due to the pipework. Often there was no explanation, just a simple “it won’t work.” Our assumption, at least for houses with timber beam ceilings between the upper floor and attic, is that it might be an issue of weight. It might also make no sense due to physical constraints, but I am not knowledgeable enough about the technical details to judge whether this is nonsense. Although we have already seen that it is technically feasible.
Can you help me understand if placing the building services in the attic is a good idea? The electrical panel can stay on the ground floor, if necessary.
Thank you all.
we have found a plot of land and are currently in the initial consultation phase with various providers. Of course, we have already started thinking about a possible floor plan for our semi-detached house (with an air-source heat pump and underfloor heating) and would like to have all the building services located in the finished and insulated attic. About a year ago, we almost bought a nearly turnkey semi-detached house where everything (heating system, water tank, washing machine, etc.) was placed in one room in the attic. We found that very charming, as it saved valuable space on the ground floor.
However, the feedback from the construction companies so far is roughly: 20% possible (possibly with minor additional costs), and 80% definitely not possible due to the pipework. Often there was no explanation, just a simple “it won’t work.” Our assumption, at least for houses with timber beam ceilings between the upper floor and attic, is that it might be an issue of weight. It might also make no sense due to physical constraints, but I am not knowledgeable enough about the technical details to judge whether this is nonsense. Although we have already seen that it is technically feasible.
Can you help me understand if placing the building services in the attic is a good idea? The electrical panel can stay on the ground floor, if necessary.
Thank you all.
Our technical installations (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, water supply, heating) are planned for the attic. However, both the upper floor and attic do not have concrete ceilings.
The washing machine is located in the utility room on the upper floor, but I don’t want to have to go upstairs all the time for that.
The washing machine is located in the utility room on the upper floor, but I don’t want to have to go upstairs all the time for that.
mr.xyz1 schrieb:
Our systems (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, water, heating) are planned for the attic. However, the first floor and attic do not have a concrete ceiling.
The washing machine is in the utility room on the first floor, but I don’t want to keep walking upstairs for it. We also want a concrete ceiling between the first floor and attic, which is why we assume that the partly offered wooden beam ceiling might not be possible.
How is your system installed? What is the shortest route to the heat pump outside and the ventilation unit? Do you have any access points or shafts in the ground floor?
Two thoughts on this,
- We have this on the ground floor, which provides easy access for installation and maintenance with a short distance,
- Every technician has to climb up into the roof space, carry the equipment up, and the heating engineer has to walk through the entire house with his "muddy" safety shoes for maintenance.
Neighbors only noticed their leaking heating system when the stairwell was already wet; no one crawls up there all the time.
- We have this on the ground floor, which provides easy access for installation and maintenance with a short distance,
- Every technician has to climb up into the roof space, carry the equipment up, and the heating engineer has to walk through the entire house with his "muddy" safety shoes for maintenance.
Neighbors only noticed their leaking heating system when the stairwell was already wet; no one crawls up there all the time.
Nida35a schrieb:
Two thoughts on this,
- we have it on the ground floor, which allows easy access for installation and maintenance and a short distance,
- every technician has to climb up to the attic, carry the equipment up, and the heating engineer trudges through the entire house in his "muddy" work boots for maintenance.
Neighbors only noticed their leaking heating system when the stairwell was already wet; no one crawls up there all the time. The modern heating engineer comes dressed professionally and opens up his laptop to service the air-to-water heat pump ;-)
(and if he walks over my wooden floor in muddy boots, there will be consequences).
Gas and heat pumps are often installed in the attic, oil and pellet heating systems usually not.
And in the attic it doesn’t have to be so cramped that a smaller technician has to be called to make it fit.
i_b_n_a_n schrieb:
The modern heating technician comes dressed in a "suit" and opens their laptop to service the air-to-water heat pump ;-)
(and if they walk over my hardwood floor with moldy shoes, they'll get a piece of my mind)
Gas and heat pumps are often installed in the attic, oil and pellet heating systems rather not.
And the attic doesn't have to be so tight that a smaller technician needs to be called in to fit. Yep, that’s exactly what I was thinking.
When I compare having an office on the ground floor where I spend my days and go in and out constantly, to having a utility room that I prefer not to enter voluntarily—and I really don’t mind if the technician has to climb two floors (and yes, I make them take off their shoes!)—my decision is clear.
Our attic will also be fully finished with proper ceiling height; nobody will have to stoop.
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