ᐅ Comparison of Different Heating Systems

This concerns a VRF system and not a simple split air conditioning solution as is found in 99% of offices.

1. Why should that be the case?
2. Relative humidity is always also a measure of comfort. The fact is that an air-to-water heat pump does not dehumidify and requires an additional device for that purpose.
3. Investment costs = equipment costs
4. Installation costs = labor costs
5. They are roughly the same
6. This is about VRF systems
7. Domestic hot water is provided by tankless water heaters
8. No
10. Eligibility for subsidies includes the possibility of nighttime setback operation. Nowadays, this is also possible with VRF systems.
11. Comfort = indoor air quality, ease of use (simultaneous heating and cooling in different rooms).

Alessandro schrieb:

This is about a VRF system, not just a basic split air conditioner solution like you find in 99% of offices.

Please explain the difference. ;-)

Alessandro schrieb:

1. Why should that be the case?
2. Relative humidity is also a comfort measure. The fact is that an air-to-water heat pump does not dehumidify and therefore requires an additional device.
3. Investment costs = equipment costs
4. Installation costs = labor costs
5. Are roughly the same
6. We are talking about VRF systems here
7. Domestic hot water is provided via instantaneous water heaters
8. No
10. Funding eligibility includes the possibility of night setback operation. Nowadays, this is also possible with VRF systems.
11. Comfort = indoor air quality, usability (simultaneous heating and cooling in different rooms).

1. Air-to-air heat pumps are less efficient due to a smaller heat sink surface area.
2. The fact is also that an air-to-air heat pump dehumidifies, which can reduce comfort if the air gets too dry.
3. 4. Who cares to break that down in such a list?
5. Incorrect statement, although I already gave the reason.
6. Yes, so what?
7. Yes, but what does that have to do with VRF systems? And why not air-to-water heat pumps? These must be considered separately.
8. Haha, where do you want to install the indoor units then?
10. Yes, that’s what I said.
11. The graphic really misrepresents that.
For me, the constant noise and draft are an absolute no-go, yet the graphic shows a green checkmark as if that problem doesn’t exist.
Who cares if I might have a slightly better separable ERR?

Anyone can easily look up the difference online, I trust everyone can do that ;-)

The indoor units are installed in the ceiling void.
The issue is the space requirement in the basement or utility room. The cost per square meter for such "wasted space" has become far too expensive nowadays.
And when I see something like in my case (https://www.hausbau-forum.de/attachments/broetje-blw-neo-8-heizkurve-einstellungen-438233-1-jpg.51923/), you simply cannot dismiss the topic of space requirements or the possibility of using the room differently...

User-friendliness and the effort required to properly configure an air-to-water heat pump play a completely different role. I claim that 80% of installers still don’t have this figured out. Not to mention the often botched hydraulics and hydraulic balancing. The forums are full of these cases...

Just visit a show home park. There are already several that present and demonstrate these systems. Then you can get your own impression of the drafts and noise levels ;-)

Alessandro schrieb:

Anyone can google the difference, I trust everyone can do that ;-)

Too bad, I would have liked to hear it in your own words.

Alessandro schrieb:

The indoor units are installed in the suspended ceiling.

Ah yes, because cassette-compatible suspended ceilings are so common in single-family homes...

Alessandro schrieb:

And when I see something like in my case...

User-friendliness and the effort required to properly set up an air-to-water heat pump play a completely different role. I claim that 80% of installers still don’t know how to handle this properly. Not to mention the often botched hydraulics and hydraulic balancing. The forums are full of this...

Now I understand: because you are unhappy with your heating engineer and your solution, you are saying that no one should pursue this option anymore.

Alessandro schrieb:

Just visit a show home park. There are quite a few that showcase such systems and demonstrate them. Then you can judge the draft and noise level for yourself ;-)

Already done that. Although a show home park is one of the worst places for that kind of experience.

Talk to people who actually live in such a house and preferably also know the alternatives.

Sure, this system has its advantages, but the list is really poor and doesn’t accurately represent the differences at all.

RotorMotor schrieb:


Now I understand. Because you are dissatisfied with your heating engineer and your solution, you are now saying that this solution should preferably not be pursued by anyone anymore.

Where do I say that? I am simply concerned about the higher risk of failure in the overall installation of an air-to-water heat pump. Unfortunately, there is still a significant gap between theory and practice. See internet forums, etc. An air-to-air heat pump offers a very good alternative here. Of course, every builder should consider the advantages and disadvantages.

Unfortunately, I don’t understand why you doubt this list so much, as it was not "made up."

So, my cousin has an air heating system, as do two of our neighbors. Each of them also has a domestic hot water heat pump, and there’s absolutely nothing space-saving about that. These Proxon units are probably around 2 square meters (21.5 square feet) in size, and because of the piping going upward, the space above them is unusable. A more compact solution would likely be a combined system of controlled residential ventilation plus an air-to-water heat pump, like the Tecalor 504. Assuming there are no reservations about installing a heating device costing around 40,000.

And yes, of course, a lot can go wrong with the hydraulics, or they might just set it up as a standard system with a 35-degree Celsius (95°F) flow temperature. However, even a poorly installed underfloor heating system is unlikely to be as inefficient as an air-to-air heat pump. So, in the end, it really comes down to initial investment costs versus ongoing operating costs.