Hello dear forum members,
I am planning the construction of a single-story KfW 70 house with a floor area of 110 m² (1,184 sq ft). The construction company has offered me a gas condensing boiler with a solar hot water system, a 300 l (79 gal) storage tank, and 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) of solar collectors. Additionally, there will be a central mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.
The company recommends underfloor heating, but I have also requested a quote for convectors. This is partly because I am skeptical whether underfloor heating works flawlessly nowadays (there’s so much written about problems...), and partly because of the special situation in the living room, questioning whether underfloor heating makes sense there:
The living/dining area has 38.4 m² (414 sq ft) with an adjacent open kitchen of 10.7 m² (115 sq ft) and a large south-west facing window front with triple glazing (greenhouse effect). See the floor plan as well. Furthermore, the ceiling in the living/dining/kitchen area is full height up to the roof ridge.
I also want to install a small, simple wood-burning stove, mainly for the cozy ambiance.
If the underfloor heating works properly and I also run the stove, it will probably become too warm. Since underfloor heating responds slowly, it would likely only turn down after the stove has already been turned off. Given the large glass area and the resulting greenhouse effect, the underfloor heating might also have difficulty adjusting—the sun shines one day, but not the next—how should the system balance that?
Besides, I have a dust mite allergy and would like to install hardwood flooring.
Considering all these factors, I am unsure whether I might be drawing the wrong conclusions from my lack of knowledge and might mistakenly decide against underfloor heating. I would appreciate your opinions.
Best regards
Peter
I am planning the construction of a single-story KfW 70 house with a floor area of 110 m² (1,184 sq ft). The construction company has offered me a gas condensing boiler with a solar hot water system, a 300 l (79 gal) storage tank, and 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) of solar collectors. Additionally, there will be a central mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery.
The company recommends underfloor heating, but I have also requested a quote for convectors. This is partly because I am skeptical whether underfloor heating works flawlessly nowadays (there’s so much written about problems...), and partly because of the special situation in the living room, questioning whether underfloor heating makes sense there:
The living/dining area has 38.4 m² (414 sq ft) with an adjacent open kitchen of 10.7 m² (115 sq ft) and a large south-west facing window front with triple glazing (greenhouse effect). See the floor plan as well. Furthermore, the ceiling in the living/dining/kitchen area is full height up to the roof ridge.
I also want to install a small, simple wood-burning stove, mainly for the cozy ambiance.
If the underfloor heating works properly and I also run the stove, it will probably become too warm. Since underfloor heating responds slowly, it would likely only turn down after the stove has already been turned off. Given the large glass area and the resulting greenhouse effect, the underfloor heating might also have difficulty adjusting—the sun shines one day, but not the next—how should the system balance that?
Besides, I have a dust mite allergy and would like to install hardwood flooring.
Considering all these factors, I am unsure whether I might be drawing the wrong conclusions from my lack of knowledge and might mistakenly decide against underfloor heating. I would appreciate your opinions.
Best regards
Peter
Hello,
Best regards.
peaches schrieb:I still have little confidence in solar thermal systems for single-family homes! I would rather apply the 15% rule (better insulation) and skip the solar thermal system.
... The home construction company offered me a gas condensing boiler with a solar hot water system, a 300 l (79 gallon) storage tank, and 4.6 m² (50 sq ft) collectors.
peaches schrieb:With precise sizing, underfloor heating works flawlessly!
... One reason is my disbelief that underfloor heating now works flawlessly (you read so many things... 🙁 ), ...
peaches schrieb:It can do so to a certain extent (self-regulating effect).
... how is underfloor heating supposed to compensate for that?
peaches schrieb:Both are possible. Additionally, user behavior should be considered. For heating systems used ad libitum, with frequent and sporadic external heat gains, choosing radiator heating is not unreasonable! Furthermore, due to parallel heat emission—if installed correctly—there are clear advantages in the typical part-load range and during warm-up phases.
... I might be drawing the wrong conclusions and deciding (incorrectly) against underfloor heating.
Best regards.
Hello,
we also have a fairly large window front and underfloor heating. In addition, we use an air-source heat pump with a ventilation system that includes heat recovery. When the sun shines, it gets quite warm in our house, so we have to lower the blinds; otherwise, the room becomes unbearable. We also have a small gallery, and the heating system manages it all. The house is comfortably warm. We don’t have a small wood stove yet, but we want one, just like you, for the sake of the atmosphere.
Keep in mind that if you use radiators, they will take up some space. With underfloor heating, you have all the walls free for furniture.
Best regards
Christine
we also have a fairly large window front and underfloor heating. In addition, we use an air-source heat pump with a ventilation system that includes heat recovery. When the sun shines, it gets quite warm in our house, so we have to lower the blinds; otherwise, the room becomes unbearable. We also have a small gallery, and the heating system manages it all. The house is comfortably warm. We don’t have a small wood stove yet, but we want one, just like you, for the sake of the atmosphere.
Keep in mind that if you use radiators, they will take up some space. With underfloor heating, you have all the walls free for furniture.
Best regards
Christine
Hello!
Doesn’t the risk of overheating get resolved by the patio roof?
Otherwise, we built very similarly. Based on our experience so far, I would reconsider the 300-liter (80-gallon) solar storage tank. It takes up a lot of space for us, much more than the 200-liter (53-gallon) tank our neighbors have, and apparently it can only be heated against salmonella in the upper part.
Regarding the underfloor heating, we decided against it, partly because I wanted to install wood flooring (throughout the whole house) floating. That simply reduces efficiency, the system responds even more slowly, and with a wooden floor, I don’t have any issues with cold feet anyway.
Best regards,
TomTom1
Doesn’t the risk of overheating get resolved by the patio roof?
Otherwise, we built very similarly. Based on our experience so far, I would reconsider the 300-liter (80-gallon) solar storage tank. It takes up a lot of space for us, much more than the 200-liter (53-gallon) tank our neighbors have, and apparently it can only be heated against salmonella in the upper part.
Regarding the underfloor heating, we decided against it, partly because I wanted to install wood flooring (throughout the whole house) floating. That simply reduces efficiency, the system responds even more slowly, and with a wooden floor, I don’t have any issues with cold feet anyway.
Best regards,
TomTom1
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