ᐅ Does it make sense to install an air conditioning system?

Created on: 17 Jun 2019 23:51
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Illya-Berlin
Hello,

we are soon building an urban villa with two full floors in Brandenburg (Barnim).
Construction method: double-layer masonry (15 cm (6 inches) lightweight clay wall elements + 14 cm (6 inches) mineral wool insulation + 11 cm (4 inches) facing bricks, so a wall thickness of 40 cm (16 inches)).
Now we need to decide whether we require air conditioning so that the construction company can plan the necessary openings and electrical installation accordingly. For us, only a split system for one or two rooms is an option (kitchen, because it gets hot when cooking / living room or bedroom).

Unfortunately, we cannot assess whether it is really necessary, whether the rooms become uncomfortably warm during hot days like the last two weeks, or if they stay cool due to the construction style of a detached house.

Does anyone have any experience?

We appreciate any advice.

Best regards
J
Joedreck
18 Jun 2019 08:52
I would also prepare or install one. Possibly directly with photovoltaic panels, as that would keep your costs relatively neutral.
That would probably be quite good. When the sun shines, you get electricity. And as a bonus, you can cool at the same time. How convenient.
Mycraft18 Jun 2019 08:55
Hehe, yep, finally a meaningful application for photovoltaic systems.
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Anoxio
18 Jun 2019 09:30
I would base it on the direction the rooms face and whether there are enough windows for ventilation. In summer, I usually only feel hot inside the house during the day when the air feels stale. In the bedroom—which unfortunately has south-facing windows—there is a ceiling fan above the bed. It works wonderfully.

Solar panels and air conditioning make a good combination; however, I would never lower the room temperature to what feels like a refrigerator, but only a few degrees below the outside temperature. Otherwise, I tend to get a sore throat quickly.
L
Lumpi_LE
18 Jun 2019 09:57
The question is, what temperatures do you find comfortable?
When it’s 30°C (86°F) outside, I don’t want 20°C (68°F) indoors—that would almost guarantee a cold for me.
In our well-insulated new build with automatic shading, indoor temperatures don’t go above 24-25°C (75-77°F). That still feels comfortable and actually cool when you come in from the midday heat.
Sometimes I cool the bedrooms using the underfloor heating system (cooling mode).
So, for me, the answer is that air conditioning is unnecessary.
Mycraft18 Jun 2019 10:12
That depends on a number of factors. However, if possible, I would have the holes and, if necessary, the wiring installed in the bedrooms. It won’t be cheaper than doing it during the construction of the house.
G
guckuck2
18 Jun 2019 12:10
We have automated external venetian blinds, and at night the mechanical ventilation system switches to bypass mode if the outside air is cooler than the indoor air, allowing some cooling. So far, this has made the indoor climate quite comfortable.