Hello everyone,
I have the following situation: After receiving an offer from a developer to build a house with district heating and KfW Standard 55, it now turns out that this standard cannot be achieved with district heating because the local district heating system is reportedly rated poorly.
Here is the issue: The developer was not aware of or did not check this beforehand and now says that we need to include additional measures, such as photovoltaic panels for electricity generation, to meet the standard. This will cause us extra costs. We now have the following questions:
a) Is it possible that the house can no longer meet the KfW 55 standard based solely on the district heating rating? According to the developer, using something like an air-to-water heat pump would make it feasible again, but we are required to use the city’s district heating system (possible exemption to clarify)?
b) Do we have to share the extra costs? It was clearly communicated that we must use district heating. Based on that, we received a construction offer with KfW 55. However, the developer can no longer deliver this.
c) What would be a reasonable addition now? In my opinion, photovoltaic panels for electricity generation are the best option. Using solar thermal for hot water production probably makes little sense with district heating. The developer proposes to install 5sqm (54 sqft) of solar panels to comply with the KfW standard again.
We are somewhat overwhelmed by this topic. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you
I have the following situation: After receiving an offer from a developer to build a house with district heating and KfW Standard 55, it now turns out that this standard cannot be achieved with district heating because the local district heating system is reportedly rated poorly.
Here is the issue: The developer was not aware of or did not check this beforehand and now says that we need to include additional measures, such as photovoltaic panels for electricity generation, to meet the standard. This will cause us extra costs. We now have the following questions:
a) Is it possible that the house can no longer meet the KfW 55 standard based solely on the district heating rating? According to the developer, using something like an air-to-water heat pump would make it feasible again, but we are required to use the city’s district heating system (possible exemption to clarify)?
b) Do we have to share the extra costs? It was clearly communicated that we must use district heating. Based on that, we received a construction offer with KfW 55. However, the developer can no longer deliver this.
c) What would be a reasonable addition now? In my opinion, photovoltaic panels for electricity generation are the best option. Using solar thermal for hot water production probably makes little sense with district heating. The developer proposes to install 5sqm (54 sqft) of solar panels to comply with the KfW standard again.
We are somewhat overwhelmed by this topic. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you
B
BenutzerPC23 Jan 2017 19:03Alex85 schrieb:
Personally, I see the greatest benefit in controlled residential ventilation with heat recovery. Sure, you’ve made that clear. However, my general contractor came with these great offers: an extra 4,800€ (about $5,300) for decentralized ventilation with heat recovery, and 11,000€ (about $12,200) extra for a central ventilation system. The solar system with buffer storage was “only” 4,000€ (about $4,400) extra. All costs split 50:50. The pricing clearly pushes the decision in a certain direction. For us, the choice will probably be clear. It’s mainly about meeting the standard. If they said, “just pay 2,000€ (about $2,200) more and that’s enough to get KfW55,” that would be preferable for me. I generally like to choose and compare systems and devices myself when buying. Here, you don’t know what you’re actually getting or whether it will provide any real added value later. As long as there are no unnecessary follow-up costs, I see this simply as a price increase of about 2,000€.
A balanced mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery is estimated here at 10,000 to 12,000 euros. An 11,000-euro upgrade is obviously quite steep.
If you can hold back, then accept the solution as it is. If you’re prepared to argue, clearly state that the cheapest option is acceptable, but you will not pay extra for it. After all, KFW 55 is contractually required. However, you would prefer if they recalculated precisely how much the balanced ventilation system would cost, as you would be willing to contribute to that...
If you can hold back, then accept the solution as it is. If you’re prepared to argue, clearly state that the cheapest option is acceptable, but you will not pay extra for it. After all, KFW 55 is contractually required. However, you would prefer if they recalculated precisely how much the balanced ventilation system would cost, as you would be willing to contribute to that...
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