ᐅ Advantages and Disadvantages of Heating Systems and Hot Water Tanks Located in the Attic

Hello fellow builders,

My partner is currently designing our new "dream house" in CAD. She has planned a very large utility room (about 13 sqm (140 sq ft)) to fit everything in, while also using this room as a passageway to the carport or as a cloakroom (for rubber boots, etc.) for our young son.

I had the idea to install the entire system in the attic, since with a roof pitch of about 40 degrees, the center height is only around 1.83 meters (6 feet), so it won’t be suitable as living space and will mostly be used for storage of boxes. I expect we will build to a KFW 55 standard, or at least KFW 70.

For this reason, I’d like to ask about the advantages and disadvantages of placing the heating system and hot water storage in the attic?

Best regards

Bernd

Hello Bernd,

BerndB schrieb:
My better half is currently designing our new "dream house" in CAD.

But you do realize you need an architect, right?

BerndB schrieb:
She has planned a very large (about 13 sqm (140 sq ft)) utility room to fit everything in, while also using this space as a passage to the carport or as a mudroom (rubber boots, etc.) for our young son.

That room is big enough to accommodate the technical equipment as well.

BerndB schrieb:
I had the idea to install the entire system in the attic, since with a roof pitch of about 40 degrees, the center height is only about 1.83 meters (6 ft), so it won’t be a usable living space and will mainly be used for storing boxes. I assume we will build to KfW 55, but at least KfW 70. Therefore, here is my question about the pros and cons of placing the heating and hot water tank in the attic?

KfW 70 is a reasonable target; KfW 55 depends on the materials used for the exterior walls/masonry and can increase costs by up to approximately EUR 25,000.

The downside of locating the technical equipment there is that it will cost more money; the utility provider only installs connections up to the first wall, meaning you will have longer pipe runs. Another important factor is that a drip tray must be installed under the domestic hot water tank in case the tank develops leaks, and typically there is no concrete ceiling in the attic. Finally, it comes down to a personal decision: are you okay with a technician passing through your home for maintenance work?

Kind regards

Bauexperte schrieb:
...KfW 70 is a reasonable benchmark, while KfW 55, depending on the exterior wall or masonry material used, can involve additional costs up to around 25,000 euros.

One can also have a different opinion. KfW 70 and 55 differ not only in their Ht´ values but also in their Qp´´ values. Sometimes, with very little extra effort, a single-family house built to KfW 70 standard can be upgraded to KfW 55.

On the other hand, a single-family house that looks compliant with KfW 55 on paper might, in practical reality, only meet the requirements of the standard Energy Saving Ordinance.

Best regards.