ᐅ Air-to-air heat pump air conditioning? Comfort factor?

I only understand half of your message.

You basically say that the photovoltaic system does not power the heat pump…

But in the last paragraph: So, if it’s a new build, you still recommend installing an air-to-water heat pump?

What’s the catch?

Because whether it’s air-to-air or air-to-water, a heat pump is still a heat pump, and both require electricity (whether it comes from the photovoltaic system or the grid initially doesn’t matter).

Just read up on how an air-to-air heat pump and an air-to-water heat pump work.

An air-to-air system, for example, has heat recovery, which a split air conditioner does not have.

The problem is that many people confuse how these systems operate.

Offtopic schrieb:

Try searching for the prefab house "face groups" Weberhaus, Schwörerhaus, Massa Haus, etc.

Certainly, an air-to-water heat pump is a good solution, but there are still reasons to choose differently without being less satisfied. I had one before, but consciously decided against it this time, and I actually prefer our solution. Therefore, I wouldn’t want to promote it as the only recommendable choice.

Offtopic schrieb:

Especially depending on the region, with comparable houses, it can be about twice the cost. At the latest, when winter hits in the Swabian Jura and the auxiliary heaters kick in, the meter runs.

Given the high price difference in purchase and ongoing costs—and sometimes issues—with the two heating systems, I wouldn’t consider that a definite dealbreaker. The electricity meter also runs with a heat pump.

As I said, there are already two people here who feel very comfortable with a different solution. Once someone wants a fireplace in the house and enjoys using it for their comfort, the question arises about the sense of an expensive underfloor heating system with a heat pump. We absolutely wanted wide-plank flooring in the house, so underfloor heating was off the table because that was important to us. We had underfloor heating before; it’s nice, but it also had its drawbacks.

For us, it’s about the type of heat we like (fireplace), and we’re willing to give up something else for it. Purely calculating or figuring out costs wasn’t an option for us; our individual comfort factor was top priority. In short—there are many roads to Rome.

Offtopic schrieb:

And the myth that photovoltaics power the heat pump in winter is wishful thinking, which maybe works in the Rhine Valley.

No one claimed that, and we didn’t expect that either.

If we are only talking about air-to-air heat pumps (excluding split air conditioning units), I would like to point out the following small detail:
An air-to-water heat pump is technology-neutral. Whether heat pumps are still popular in 20 years, whether we return to coal stoves, or whether we install mini fusion reactors in our homes, the existing underfloor heating system can be connected to the technology.
An air-to-air heat pump almost forces you to stick with the same technology.

Energy consumption databases from various heat pumps can be found online for comparison purposes. Of course, every house is different, but these give some guidance, especially regarding the important seasonal performance factor. (For physical reasons, air-to-air heat pumps and also exhaust air heat pumps tend to perform worse in this regard. The best solution for your own house depends on your specific planning and preferences.)

We also have an air-to-air heat pump.

Without PCE elements, the performance would be too weak.

Since we have a fireplace, everything is fine.

We get wood for free.
Chimney sweep costs about 45€ per year.
Electricity consumption with the domestic hot water heat pump from January until October 18 was 1007 kWh.

The air-to-air heat pump at least keeps the house dry and is off during the summer (or turned on once a week because of insects, etc.).

Neuer von Da schrieb:

Without PCE components, the performance would be too weak.

What does that mean in plain language?

Neuer von Da schrieb:

Since we have a fireplace, everything is fine.

That works for us too, although we have a split air conditioning system that we occasionally use for heating in winter.
We don’t have our own wood, but consumption remains quite moderate, and ultimately the individual energy use depends more on user behavior than on the technology. For us, a fireplace was an absolute must.
Our house is insulated to KfW 40 standard and it never really gets cold inside, which was completely different in our previous, “standard” house.
Our domestic hot water pump also works very well, although looking back, electric instantaneous water heaters might have been a good option for us as well.