ᐅ Construction Project – Ventilation System, Heating – Your Experiences?
Created on: 16 Dec 2019 19:17
N
Nicon1001
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.
B
boxandroof18 Dec 2019 21:37Unfortunately, I don’t have a trench collector, so someone else will need to answer that.
Regarding the Geisha with 5kW, the house needs to be suitable as well; without a ventilation system, it might be a bit tight. However, with the savings, it easily pays for itself.
Regarding the Geisha with 5kW, the house needs to be suitable as well; without a ventilation system, it might be a bit tight. However, with the savings, it easily pays for itself.
L
ludwig88sta18 Dec 2019 21:49boxandroof schrieb:
Unfortunately, I don’t have a trench collector, so someone else will have to answer that.
By the way, with the Geisha at 5kW, the house also needs to be suitable; without a ventilation system it might be a bit tight. However, given the savings, the ventilation system easily pays for itself.We definitely want to afford a ventilation system with heat recovery. It’s a good solution (both energetically and for air quality, plus no flies or mosquitoes entering the house when ventilating, and more). My only concern is how often the ventilation ducts need cleaning. Or rather, how can I prevent mold from developing inside the ventilation ducts and being spread throughout the house. Of course, there is a good filter at the intake. But what if dirt, mold, or similar develop somewhere in the ducts behind the filter? Is that impossible?
B
boxandroof18 Dec 2019 21:58Equip exhaust vents with filters and change the filters regularly. If all pipes are located within the insulated building envelope, no water will condense. A bit of dust may get through, but less than through a window.
Pipes can be cleaned if necessary. Install them and take a look for yourself—there is a lot of unnecessary concern about this.
Pipes can be cleaned if necessary. Install them and take a look for yourself—there is a lot of unnecessary concern about this.
Everything can be cleaned if necessary. It’s not rocket science. Every 10-15 years, you can run a cleaning process and vacuum out the dust. Professional help is also available if needed. HVAC systems and ventilation units in commercial buildings work the same way and can operate for decades without mold growth or other issues. You just need to check them occasionally and perform maintenance.
Everything requires regular maintenance; you shouldn’t wait until a problem occurs.
Everything requires regular maintenance; you shouldn’t wait until a problem occurs.
L
ludwig88sta19 Dec 2019 10:37Sounds good.
"Don't wait too long to do the maintenance!"
"Don't wait too long to do the maintenance!"
Similar topics