ᐅ Use an Air Source Heat Pump or Gas and Solar?

Created on: 11 Jul 2012 19:15
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gigi
Hello,

We are starting to get really frustrated... every builder tells us something different...

We want to build a 130sqm (1,399 sq ft) KfW 70 house with the living room facing south, and we are unsure whether to choose gas or an air source heat pump. Some providers, at almost the same price level, offer us air source heat pumps and claim that the annual costs are significantly (30%) lower compared to gas, while others doubt this.

We understand that insulation with gas/solar systems is usually better because an air source heat pump boosts efficiency more towards KfW 70 standards compared to gas/solar, which might argue in favor of gas. An air source heat pump might fail somewhat sooner, and in case of problems, you can usually get quick and competent local support with gas. With air source heat pumps, there could be more difficulties. Additionally, the noise of air source heat pumps (in our case about 3 meters (10 feet) from the neighbor) is not insignificant. Some say that sooner or later, everyone ends up having issues with neighbors for this reason.

We are interested in air source heat pumps with storage tanks from these providers: Vaillant, Mitsubishi Zubadan, and Rotex.

What we are really curious about is the annual cost for heating and hot water with both systems.

We live near Kassel.

What should we choose, and what would be cost-effective TODAY? What is your opinion on Vaillant?

Regards
Gigi
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R.Hotzenplotz
25 Mar 2018 11:43
You are right. In principle, I am also against an outdoor unit. But I find this option so innovative and interesting that I can imagine making a compromise because you can - at least as I understand it - represent different price development scenarios for gas and electricity quite well. It also means you can avoid using elevated flat-plate collectors and expensive evacuated tube collectors.

Another alternative I am considering is placing flat-plate collectors in the garden. They don’t cause any disturbance there.
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R.Hotzenplotz
25 Mar 2018 16:33
Are there any additional costs for a gas connection besides what the supplier charges? They want €1190. According to relevant information, a gas connection is supposed to cost somewhere between €1500 and €250. What other costs come on top of the house connection charged by the supplier that you wouldn't have with a ground source heat pump?
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Nordlys
25 Mar 2018 17:24
The one-time inspection of the fireplace by the chimney sweep costs just over 100,- at the end. Nothing more.
Mycraft25 Mar 2018 17:37
The excavation of the building pit and its subsequent backfilling, unless this is already included in the €1190 (approximately $1300), which I actually do not expect.
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Nordlys
25 Mar 2018 17:39
This is included. 1190,- is already quite expensive. Here it was 750,- with a trench up to a maximum of 15 meters (50 feet). Additional costs apply beyond that.
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R.Hotzenplotz
25 Mar 2018 17:41
I had briefly considered a hybrid heating system. However, there are experience reports of increasing electricity consumption and maintenance costs exceeding €400.

So you really have to buy gas/solar anyway, even if it ends up being the same price or more expensive than the heat pump solution. It's unfortunate. It will definitely be quite a bit more expensive because of the tubular collectors, but angled flat collectors are not an option.