ᐅ Gas Condensing Boiler or Air-to-Water Heat Pump for a Water-Heating Fireplace?
Created on: 23 Feb 2014 23:35
F
FrankDr
We are currently planning a new build of about 180m² (1,938 sq ft) to KfW70 standard and have been considering for some time which primary energy source to use. The plan definitely includes
- underfloor heating throughout
- controlled mechanical ventilation (current favorite: Buderus HRV)
- a water-based fireplace (Wodtke Giro, 8 kW with buffer storage)
Since we enjoy wood heat, it’s not a problem to cover cold peaks in winter, which can be expensive with a heat pump. However, a heat pump requires a higher initial investment by several thousand, and electricity tariffs for heat pumps are disappearing. At 27 cents per kWh, electricity is not cheap.
On the other hand, we would have to pay about €1800 (approximately $1950) just to install a gas connection (despite being in a new development area), plus a basic fee on the otherwise cheap gas, and an additional chimney flue running through the entire house would need to be planned and installed.
At the moment, we are undecided... My brother-in-law is a heating engineer and doesn’t want to influence us (though he would lean towards gas) and he works at Buderus, so we get very good discounts regardless of what we choose. That means the brand is basically set.
Is a Buderus heat pump (indoor or split system) a good choice together with the Buderus HRV mechanical ventilation? Or would gas be better?
- underfloor heating throughout
- controlled mechanical ventilation (current favorite: Buderus HRV)
- a water-based fireplace (Wodtke Giro, 8 kW with buffer storage)
Since we enjoy wood heat, it’s not a problem to cover cold peaks in winter, which can be expensive with a heat pump. However, a heat pump requires a higher initial investment by several thousand, and electricity tariffs for heat pumps are disappearing. At 27 cents per kWh, electricity is not cheap.
On the other hand, we would have to pay about €1800 (approximately $1950) just to install a gas connection (despite being in a new development area), plus a basic fee on the otherwise cheap gas, and an additional chimney flue running through the entire house would need to be planned and installed.
At the moment, we are undecided... My brother-in-law is a heating engineer and doesn’t want to influence us (though he would lean towards gas) and he works at Buderus, so we get very good discounts regardless of what we choose. That means the brand is basically set.
Is a Buderus heat pump (indoor or split system) a good choice together with the Buderus HRV mechanical ventilation? Or would gas be better?
E
ErikErdgas5 Mar 2014 09:17Hello,
I can only agree with the previous posts; it is important to first determine the heating load to properly size the system. I would also recommend a gas condensing boiler. Given the currently still noticeable initial costs, it can sometimes take longer than the equipment's lifespan to offset the additional investment, especially since you don’t only use gas for heating, which further reduces the cost difference per kWh of energy produced.
Best regards
Erik
I can only agree with the previous posts; it is important to first determine the heating load to properly size the system. I would also recommend a gas condensing boiler. Given the currently still noticeable initial costs, it can sometimes take longer than the equipment's lifespan to offset the additional investment, especially since you don’t only use gas for heating, which further reduces the cost difference per kWh of energy produced.
Best regards
Erik
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