ᐅ Construction Project – Ventilation System, Heating – Your Experiences?
Created on: 16 Dec 2019 19:17
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Hello everyone,
After researching prefab houses in this forum over two years ago and coming across several posts that introduced me to the option of a solid (masonry) house, we have now decided to build such a solid house. We purchased the corresponding plot in Rhineland-Palatinate this month. We have successfully completed the first meeting with the architect (who was recommended to us by several friends). The meeting was very pleasant, and we were able to present our ideas. The next step is for him to create an initial design, which we will then review to see if it meets our preferences and to discuss any changes we want.
Since I have spent a lot of time in the last two years reading forums and many construction websites, I have come across many opinions and have already asked the architect for his thoughts on some issues. I want to pose these questions to you as well to get some additional feedback specific to my case. By the way, the building project will be a one-and-a-half-story single-family house with a pitched roof and 145-150 sqm (1560-1615 sq ft) of living space, without a basement.
1. We would like to have a central ventilation system. He advises against it due to the high costs (apparently around 18,000 - 20,000) and recommends the traditional use of windows. Is this cost range of 18,000 - 20,000 realistic? I had read something about around 12,000.
2. Regarding the heating system... we would like 3-4 sqm (32-43 sq ft) of solar thermal collectors for domestic hot water. Personally, I would probably have chosen a gas condensing boiler for the underfloor heating. He recommends an air-source heat pump. I have read that these can consume a lot of electricity, plus I wouldn’t be thrilled about even a slight humming noise outside. I’m probably not too satisfied with the gas condensing boiler either. The ground here is heavily rocky (slate mountain range). He considers any drilling into the ground risky due to possible rapidly increasing costs. He also doesn’t favor horizontal ground loop collectors, because they might cause problems with plant roots. Somehow it feels like everything has its downsides. What heating types do you have? What were the costs, and how satisfied are you? How are the running costs?
3. We love the clinker brick look. We would like to cover the entire façade with genuine clinker bricks. He advised us to preferably involve companies from North Rhine-Westphalia or Northern Germany, where it is common and they have expertise. I agree with that. What is the current cost per sqm for clinker bricks? Has anyone recently had this done? How long did it take? Clinker slips (thin facing bricks) are not an option for us.
4. If possible, we want to aim for KfW 55 standard (energy-efficient building standard). With the ventilation system and solar thermal, I think we are pretty well set in that direction. Then there is of course the question of the building material. He recommends monolithic Poroton blocks. But one could also use presumably cheaper pumice blocks if it really is a clinker brick masonry. Would pumice plus clinker be sufficient for KfW 55? External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS, known as WDVS in German) are not planned. What is the price difference between Poroton and pumice?
If you have any questions, I will gladly try to answer them.
Thanks in advance, and please don’t be too harsh on me.
After researching prefab houses in this forum over two years ago and coming across several posts that introduced me to the option of a solid (masonry) house, we have now decided to build such a solid house. We purchased the corresponding plot in Rhineland-Palatinate this month. We have successfully completed the first meeting with the architect (who was recommended to us by several friends). The meeting was very pleasant, and we were able to present our ideas. The next step is for him to create an initial design, which we will then review to see if it meets our preferences and to discuss any changes we want.
Since I have spent a lot of time in the last two years reading forums and many construction websites, I have come across many opinions and have already asked the architect for his thoughts on some issues. I want to pose these questions to you as well to get some additional feedback specific to my case. By the way, the building project will be a one-and-a-half-story single-family house with a pitched roof and 145-150 sqm (1560-1615 sq ft) of living space, without a basement.
1. We would like to have a central ventilation system. He advises against it due to the high costs (apparently around 18,000 - 20,000) and recommends the traditional use of windows. Is this cost range of 18,000 - 20,000 realistic? I had read something about around 12,000.
2. Regarding the heating system... we would like 3-4 sqm (32-43 sq ft) of solar thermal collectors for domestic hot water. Personally, I would probably have chosen a gas condensing boiler for the underfloor heating. He recommends an air-source heat pump. I have read that these can consume a lot of electricity, plus I wouldn’t be thrilled about even a slight humming noise outside. I’m probably not too satisfied with the gas condensing boiler either. The ground here is heavily rocky (slate mountain range). He considers any drilling into the ground risky due to possible rapidly increasing costs. He also doesn’t favor horizontal ground loop collectors, because they might cause problems with plant roots. Somehow it feels like everything has its downsides. What heating types do you have? What were the costs, and how satisfied are you? How are the running costs?
3. We love the clinker brick look. We would like to cover the entire façade with genuine clinker bricks. He advised us to preferably involve companies from North Rhine-Westphalia or Northern Germany, where it is common and they have expertise. I agree with that. What is the current cost per sqm for clinker bricks? Has anyone recently had this done? How long did it take? Clinker slips (thin facing bricks) are not an option for us.
4. If possible, we want to aim for KfW 55 standard (energy-efficient building standard). With the ventilation system and solar thermal, I think we are pretty well set in that direction. Then there is of course the question of the building material. He recommends monolithic Poroton blocks. But one could also use presumably cheaper pumice blocks if it really is a clinker brick masonry. Would pumice plus clinker be sufficient for KfW 55? External thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS, known as WDVS in German) are not planned. What is the price difference between Poroton and pumice?
If you have any questions, I will gladly try to answer them.
Thanks in advance, and please don’t be too harsh on me.
opalau schrieb:
Is all the hassle with hydraulic balancing, disabling thermostats, etc., really worth it for a gas boiler?Of course, every kilowatt not used is real money saved.
Mycraft schrieb:
Of course, every unused kilowatt is real money saved in your pocket.Certainly. But if I end up saving only €3 per month, I might decide that the quite extensive optimization process isn't worth it.B
boxandroof17 Dec 2019 11:33ludwig88sta schrieb:
Since you are a fan of gas heating, switching to a heat pump now sounds problematic if gas prices are high in 10 years. Why? I don’t fully understand the post. For many reasons, I would already opt for a heat pump today—if possible and if it makes financial sense depending on the general contractor/tradespeople/own resources (purchase price). If someone doesn’t have the time or interest, or only gets overpriced offers for a heat pump, then gas is an option. At the very least, the underfloor heating should be designed for a supply temperature of no more than about 30°C (86°F) so that switching later is easier.
opalau schrieb:
Of course. But if I end up saving only €3 per month, I might not want to go through the rather extensive optimization process.It’s your decision and completely legitimate. However, only you can calculate or know how much you could save. Every house is different, and the potential savings greatly depend on the occupants' behavior.Daniel-Sp schrieb:
Heating:
We have a modulating air-to-water heat pump from Novelan, installed indoors. LICV 8.2R1/3. I can hear it in the utility room, and if you listen closely through the door, very quietly from the kitchen. In the living room adjacent to the utility room (timber frame construction), it’s not noticeable. Of course, it’s also audible near the outdoor air outlets. Our neighbors haven’t noticed anything, and we don’t spend time outside in winter. The upfront investment was high, but I couldn’t get a gas connection approved by my authorities. We’ve only had a separate electricity meter for six weeks and since then have used about 200 kWh of electricity for heating and domestic hot water and produced approximately 1000 kWh of heat. I am quite satisfied with that. KfW 40 standard, 146 m² (1572 sq ft) without basement, NAT - 12, living room at 22°C (72°F)+ — my wife gets cold easily… So that’s about 5 kWh per day in December? I wonder how that’s possible. Normally the hot water alone uses that much. And especially in December, a lot of heating is needed. The house is quite small, but still?
We heat 210 m² (2260 sq ft) with a KfW 55 standard system, and we need around 25 kWh per day. I find that more realistic.
B
boxandroof17 Dec 2019 11:43opalau schrieb:
Of course. But if I end up saving only 3€ per month, I might not bother with such an extensive optimization process.I would probably skip that level of effort for gas as well. For example, if you can run the bathroom and living room completely without thermostats, then the heating curve is already pretty good. At the very least, I would do that. You only build a house once and never again.Similar topics