Good evening everyone,
My wife and I are looking for a concept for the future energy supply of an old farmhouse. I hope this category is the right one; if not, please move it.
General: The farmstead is in a remote location, with the nearest houses about 500 meters (550 yards) away. The farmhouse will have approximately 300 sqm (3,230 sq ft) of living space in the future (possibly more) and is connected to the public electricity grid and sewer system. Heating and hot water are currently provided by a gas instant water heater (gas supplied from a liquefied petroleum gas tank). We plan to renovate the farmhouse extensively. The walls are half-timbered construction (straw and clay) and will be rebuilt. As part of this renovation and conversion, all electric and plumbing installations will be replaced. We are now considering how to plan the future energy concept for the house.
A few facts about the conditions:
For the renovation, we are now considering how we want to provide heating and hot water in the future. Additionally, we are thinking about generating electricity with a photovoltaic system for self-consumption and feed-in.
Some ideas we have considered include:
Basically, we are open to all ideas but tend toward renewable energy sources (as long as they are reasonably economically viable).
From the experts’ point of view, what makes the most sense here?
My wife and I are looking for a concept for the future energy supply of an old farmhouse. I hope this category is the right one; if not, please move it.
General: The farmstead is in a remote location, with the nearest houses about 500 meters (550 yards) away. The farmhouse will have approximately 300 sqm (3,230 sq ft) of living space in the future (possibly more) and is connected to the public electricity grid and sewer system. Heating and hot water are currently provided by a gas instant water heater (gas supplied from a liquefied petroleum gas tank). We plan to renovate the farmhouse extensively. The walls are half-timbered construction (straw and clay) and will be rebuilt. As part of this renovation and conversion, all electric and plumbing installations will be replaced. We are now considering how to plan the future energy concept for the house.
A few facts about the conditions:
- Next to the farmhouse is a barn facing south-southeast (about 25-30 m (80-100 ft) away). The roof has an available area of approximately 80 sqm (860 sq ft). The roof was replaced about 10 years ago.
- The farmhouse roof is about 25 years old. Currently, there are no plans to replace this roof. The question here is how sensible it is to install a photovoltaic system or solar thermal system if the roof will need to be renewed in about 20 years. There is space for about 60-70 sqm (650-750 sq ft). The orientation is southwest.
- There is plenty of space around the farmhouse. For energy systems that require a lot of space, there is enough room—though a wind turbine is not an option.
- One side of the farmhouse borders a forest. This forest belongs to the farm and could provide wood “free of charge.”
For the renovation, we are now considering how we want to provide heating and hot water in the future. Additionally, we are thinking about generating electricity with a photovoltaic system for self-consumption and feed-in.
Some ideas we have considered include:
- Building a large enough masonry stove to heat large areas of the house.
- Solar thermal system for hot water generation (only makes sense on the main house—or can hot water be channeled underground to the main house?).
- Photovoltaic system for electricity (possibly with storage?)—this could be significantly oversized for grid feed-in.
Basically, we are open to all ideas but tend toward renewable energy sources (as long as they are reasonably economically viable).
From the experts’ point of view, what makes the most sense here?
I just read up on heat pumps again. Until now, this option hadn’t been very prominent for me.
I learned that the water-to-water heat pump operates with a well. Is it possible to use an existing well for this? There is a well available on the property.
Is there a type of heat pump that is considered the “best”?
I just looked up “low temperature.” Do I understand correctly that underfloor heating actually makes sense with a heat pump?
I learned that the water-to-water heat pump operates with a well. Is it possible to use an existing well for this? There is a well available on the property.
Is there a type of heat pump that is considered the “best”?
rick2018 schrieb:
Given the theoretically available size of the photovoltaic system, a heat pump would make sense. Even on poor weather days, most of the electricity should be available. Are you planning to use underfloor heating? Heat pumps work best with low-temperature systems...
I just looked up “low temperature.” Do I understand correctly that underfloor heating actually makes sense with a heat pump?
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boxandroof27 Dec 2019 01:09Warongo schrieb:
I just looked up "low temperature." Am I correct in understanding that underfloor heating can be quite beneficial when used with a heat pump? Yes, it is even necessary to achieve reasonable efficiency. A heat pump performs best with the lowest possible supply temperatures in the heating circuit. This also means that you should avoid having any rooms that require high supply temperatures to get warm enough, for example, if they only have old radiators. The lower the supply temperature can be, the larger the heating surface area should be. Ideally, the heating load for each room is calculated, and the underfloor heating is installed accordingly. As an alternative to underfloor heating, heating can also be integrated into walls or ceilings. Proper insulation also helps to reduce the supply temperature, but the heating surfaces are more important.
In older buildings, this is typically more complicated. However, if you are planning surface heating anyway, a heat pump is the most sensible choice. In addition, a sufficiently large photovoltaic system is recommended, which will be economically viable even independently of the heating system.
The heat pump should match the heating load of the house; the brand is initially secondary. More important are good planning and avoiding common mistakes in the hydraulics setup (such as no buffer tank). You can find plenty of information about this online.
There is no heating system that requires you to keep windows closed at all times.
I recommend finding an energy consultant who can assess the situation on-site and develop a plan.
A 20-year-old roof does not sound like it has very good insulation, and most heat is lost through the roof.
Underfloor or ceiling heating only makes sense if the ceiling height is sufficient. What is the ceiling height in your home? And how is the floor constructed?
Be aware that depending on which building elements you modify (façade, roof, etc.), you may need to upgrade them to meet energy efficiency regulations or building code standards.
I recommend finding an energy consultant who can assess the situation on-site and develop a plan.
A 20-year-old roof does not sound like it has very good insulation, and most heat is lost through the roof.
Underfloor or ceiling heating only makes sense if the ceiling height is sufficient. What is the ceiling height in your home? And how is the floor constructed?
Be aware that depending on which building elements you modify (façade, roof, etc.), you may need to upgrade them to meet energy efficiency regulations or building code standards.
Above the first floor, the ceiling should be renovated and insulated. The attic, including the roof, should not be touched at this stage. The attic offers even more space, but we really don’t need or want it right now. Especially since, with all the outbuildings, we won’t require storage space for the usual "stuff."
The house will be completely gutted inside. Floors and ceilings will be fully rebuilt (yes, we are aware that this will be more expensive than a new build).
Consulting an energy advisor sounds like a good idea. Are there any recommendations for advisors in the Essen area?
The house will be completely gutted inside. Floors and ceilings will be fully rebuilt (yes, we are aware that this will be more expensive than a new build).
Consulting an energy advisor sounds like a good idea. Are there any recommendations for advisors in the Essen area?
Warongo schrieb:
Any recommendations?Try looking on the KFW website. Even if you don’t want or need any subsidies, it’s still worth taking advantage of them if possible. For that, you’ll need someone who is “approved” by KfW. We were only satisfied with the second one we contacted. So don’t hesitate to ask or get to know several.Insulating the ceiling of the upper floor sounds like a good idea; then you won’t need to insulate the roof.
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