ᐅ Air Source Heat Pump, Solar Thermal System, and Water Softener? Experience?
Created on: 26 Feb 2013 17:27
R
relaxoDear forum members,
after consulting several experts and receiving multiple responses, I would now like to gather one (or a few) opinions here as well:
We are building a detached single-family house with a developer. The purchase price includes an air source heat pump (Rotex HPSU 300). So far, so good. Now we have met with the responsible installer, who additionally recommends the following:
1. Instead of the 300-liter (79 gallons) tank, we should choose the 500-liter (132 gallons) tank (additional cost: 500 €). The household consists of 2 adults and 2 children.
2. Furthermore, he suggests installing a water softening system because the water in our area is hard (over 14° dH) and this, among other things, would void the heat pump warranty (additional cost about 3000 €, exact price to be confirmed).
3. Finally, he recommends installing solar thermal panels to support the heat pump. He usually is not a fan of this, but for this model, he would recommend it (additional cost about 1500 €, a precise price will also be calculated).
So, altogether this would mean additional costs of about 5000 €. What do you think about this? Does anyone have experience with similar setups?
I hope someone can help & thank you in advance.
after consulting several experts and receiving multiple responses, I would now like to gather one (or a few) opinions here as well:
We are building a detached single-family house with a developer. The purchase price includes an air source heat pump (Rotex HPSU 300). So far, so good. Now we have met with the responsible installer, who additionally recommends the following:
1. Instead of the 300-liter (79 gallons) tank, we should choose the 500-liter (132 gallons) tank (additional cost: 500 €). The household consists of 2 adults and 2 children.
2. Furthermore, he suggests installing a water softening system because the water in our area is hard (over 14° dH) and this, among other things, would void the heat pump warranty (additional cost about 3000 €, exact price to be confirmed).
3. Finally, he recommends installing solar thermal panels to support the heat pump. He usually is not a fan of this, but for this model, he would recommend it (additional cost about 1500 €, a precise price will also be calculated).
So, altogether this would mean additional costs of about 5000 €. What do you think about this? Does anyone have experience with similar setups?
I hope someone can help & thank you in advance.
Hello,
I can hardly imagine that 500 liters would be necessary here, unless for bath marathons. Domestic hot water preparation should be planned carefully according to demand, just like the heating system! However, when using a heat pump as the heat generator, “heat pump compatible” storage tanks should be used. Standard storage tanks are usually less suitable.
The builder is obviously very business-oriented and focused on his turnover! Hopefully, he has also done his homework as thoroughly in planning and sizing.
Best regards
relaxo schrieb:On what criteria was this selected? What is the heating load? Has the actual energy demand for heating and domestic hot water been calculated? Is controlled ventilation with heat recovery planned?
...We are building a detached single-family house with a developer. The purchase price includes an air-source heat pump (Rotex HPSU 300). So far, so good.
relaxo schrieb:
...Now we have met with the responsible installer, who additionally recommends the following:
1. Instead of the 300-liter storage tank, we should take the 500-liter tank (additional cost: 500 €) Household consists of 2 adults and 2 children ..
I can hardly imagine that 500 liters would be necessary here, unless for bath marathons. Domestic hot water preparation should be planned carefully according to demand, just like the heating system! However, when using a heat pump as the heat generator, “heat pump compatible” storage tanks should be used. Standard storage tanks are usually less suitable.
relaxo schrieb:At best, the heating system’s fill water must meet certain requirements.
...2. Furthermore, he recommends installing a water softening system because the water in our area is hard (over 14° dH), which would otherwise void the heat pump warranty (additional cost about 3000 €, he still wants to check the exact price)
relaxo schrieb:I have a very different opinion on this.
...3. Finally, he recommends installing solar thermal panels for the heat pump. He is actually not a fan of this, but for this model he would recommend it (additional cost about 1500 €, exact price to be calculated).
The builder is obviously very business-oriented and focused on his turnover! Hopefully, he has also done his homework as thoroughly in planning and sizing.
Best regards
B
Bauexperte27 Feb 2013 16:12Hello,
Best regards from the Rhineland
relaxo schrieb:It shows that the installer is business-savvy; nothing more, really.
What do you think about this?
Best regards from the Rhineland
Oh dear, I already suspected that the main goal here is to sell.
However, the water softening system is something to consider, isn’t it? I’m also thinking about household appliances, protecting the pipes, and so on. Maybe install it later to save some costs.
Just a quick question about solar thermal systems. A price of €1500 is not insignificant, but wouldn’t it pay off over the years? What exactly speaks against it?
Thanks a lot for the suggestions!
However, the water softening system is something to consider, isn’t it? I’m also thinking about household appliances, protecting the pipes, and so on. Maybe install it later to save some costs.
Just a quick question about solar thermal systems. A price of €1500 is not insignificant, but wouldn’t it pay off over the years? What exactly speaks against it?
Thanks a lot for the suggestions!
A water softening system is definitely useful and can significantly reduce cleaning efforts. We have a hardness level of 18, so it’s almost necessary.
However, with softening systems, it’s important to ensure that the sodium content in the drinking water doesn’t become too high if an ion exchanger is installed. You might want to consider having a separate faucet installed for kitchen water.
I’m not sure if a descaling system pays off financially, since scaled heating systems also consume more energy, but generally, the heating system should be filled with softened water anyway.
I think 500 liters (130 gallons) is too much, depending on the size of your bathtub and your habits. 300 liters (80 gallons) should be enough—that’s what we have. (With a standard tub and eventually 4 people. The gas boiler also produces enough hot water within 10 minutes if the 300 liters (80 gallons) run out.)
However, with softening systems, it’s important to ensure that the sodium content in the drinking water doesn’t become too high if an ion exchanger is installed. You might want to consider having a separate faucet installed for kitchen water.
I’m not sure if a descaling system pays off financially, since scaled heating systems also consume more energy, but generally, the heating system should be filled with softened water anyway.
I think 500 liters (130 gallons) is too much, depending on the size of your bathtub and your habits. 300 liters (80 gallons) should be enough—that’s what we have. (With a standard tub and eventually 4 people. The gas boiler also produces enough hot water within 10 minutes if the 300 liters (80 gallons) run out.)
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