Hello,
Last week, we visited the planner for the first time, who is now working on the initial design of our new home. It will be about 140 sqm (1,507 sq ft), one and a half stories, and without a basement. We will be living in it as a family of four. For some time now, I have been thinking about the heating system.
I have spent hours researching online trying to get a clear picture. Here is what I have gathered so far:
Groundwater heat pump -> I initially liked this idea, but since we live near an open-pit mine, I can’t predict how the groundwater in the area might change.
Air source heat pump -> I’m not convinced… low efficiency in cold winters and also disturbing noise.
Ground source heat pump / collector -> One of my favorites, but not possible due to our property.
Ground source heat pump / borehole -> My current favorite. Downside: most expensive to install (unexpected costs with drilling?).
Oil heating -> I rule this out, as it takes up too much space that I’d rather use otherwise.
Pellet heating -> Also ruled out, for the same reason: too much space required.
When I told the planner about my current favorite—the ground source heat pump with a borehole—she introduced the topic of a gas heating system. Heat pumps can cost up to 25,000 euros (about 27,000 USD), and they are no longer as cost-effective... Houses today are insulated so well that gas is not as expensive for a single-family home. Her opinion was that the higher investment in heat pumps would never pay off. Also, the gas connection is already available on our street...
On the other hand, I have read that a gas condensing boiler alone might not be sufficient, as a certain energy standard for new buildings must be met. Therefore, only a gas condensing boiler combined with solar thermal (for hot water) would be feasible and probably sensible. The problem here is the orientation of the house/roof—it does not allow for a south-facing installation of solar collectors. Only east or west-facing options are possible, which are quite ineffective in this context.
What do you think? Do you believe a ground source heat pump would be more cost-effective than a gas condensing boiler? Or does it not make much difference in a new build, and the higher investment is not worth it? Or maybe it is worth it precisely because the solar thermal system cannot be fully utilized?
Estimated costs:
Ground source heat pump with borehole: 25,000 euros (about 27,000 USD)
Gas condensing boiler with solar thermal: 12,000 euros (about 13,000 USD)
New build location near Cottbus (deep eastern region).
Last week, we visited the planner for the first time, who is now working on the initial design of our new home. It will be about 140 sqm (1,507 sq ft), one and a half stories, and without a basement. We will be living in it as a family of four. For some time now, I have been thinking about the heating system.
I have spent hours researching online trying to get a clear picture. Here is what I have gathered so far:
Groundwater heat pump -> I initially liked this idea, but since we live near an open-pit mine, I can’t predict how the groundwater in the area might change.
Air source heat pump -> I’m not convinced… low efficiency in cold winters and also disturbing noise.
Ground source heat pump / collector -> One of my favorites, but not possible due to our property.
Ground source heat pump / borehole -> My current favorite. Downside: most expensive to install (unexpected costs with drilling?).
Oil heating -> I rule this out, as it takes up too much space that I’d rather use otherwise.
Pellet heating -> Also ruled out, for the same reason: too much space required.
When I told the planner about my current favorite—the ground source heat pump with a borehole—she introduced the topic of a gas heating system. Heat pumps can cost up to 25,000 euros (about 27,000 USD), and they are no longer as cost-effective... Houses today are insulated so well that gas is not as expensive for a single-family home. Her opinion was that the higher investment in heat pumps would never pay off. Also, the gas connection is already available on our street...
On the other hand, I have read that a gas condensing boiler alone might not be sufficient, as a certain energy standard for new buildings must be met. Therefore, only a gas condensing boiler combined with solar thermal (for hot water) would be feasible and probably sensible. The problem here is the orientation of the house/roof—it does not allow for a south-facing installation of solar collectors. Only east or west-facing options are possible, which are quite ineffective in this context.
What do you think? Do you believe a ground source heat pump would be more cost-effective than a gas condensing boiler? Or does it not make much difference in a new build, and the higher investment is not worth it? Or maybe it is worth it precisely because the solar thermal system cannot be fully utilized?
Estimated costs:
Ground source heat pump with borehole: 25,000 euros (about 27,000 USD)
Gas condensing boiler with solar thermal: 12,000 euros (about 13,000 USD)
New build location near Cottbus (deep eastern region).
D
DerBjoern5 Dec 2014 08:23oleda222 schrieb:
I doubt that a "professional" would recommend a trench collector. It is still not really established among specialist companies in Germany... I think so too. At the moment, it is probably still purely a DIY project. Even though it is often significantly cheaper and certainly very effective!
Thank you for the feedback so far.
Friends of ours have a ground source heat pump with horizontal ground collectors and are very impressed. After researching the topic, I personally lean towards geothermal energy. Due to the nature of the plot, it seems that only borehole drilling is feasible. Currently, as I am completing my training to become a certified management accountant, I am constantly reminded that every investment must be financially justifiable… but when calculated over 20 years, no investment clearly stands out. Therefore, I am relying on the experiences of those who have already built houses. For now, I will wait for the heating load calculation and request firm quotes. Then I will decide on the next steps.
Friends of ours have a ground source heat pump with horizontal ground collectors and are very impressed. After researching the topic, I personally lean towards geothermal energy. Due to the nature of the plot, it seems that only borehole drilling is feasible. Currently, as I am completing my training to become a certified management accountant, I am constantly reminded that every investment must be financially justifiable… but when calculated over 20 years, no investment clearly stands out. Therefore, I am relying on the experiences of those who have already built houses. For now, I will wait for the heating load calculation and request firm quotes. Then I will decide on the next steps.
B
Bauherren20145 Dec 2014 09:41oleda222 schrieb:
I doubt a “professional” would recommend a trench collector. It hasn’t really been adopted yet by specialist companies in Germany...Okay. In our case, it was actually mentioned during construction. But maybe that really was the rare exception.
Actually, my point wasn’t necessarily about surface collectors, trench collectors, or boreholes. It was more about first establishing the necessary conditions to be able to truly compare and decide. That means: performing a heating load calculation and checking what is technically and financially possible and feasible. Only then can you compare and decide.
ypg schrieb:
What does your gut say? It’s not just a matter of calculation, but also the feeling of which type of heating system you are most comfortable with mentally I totally agree with you.
Basti2709 schrieb:
I think I’ll wait for the heating load calculation first and get firm offers. Then I’ll take it from there. That sounds like a good plan.
Bauabenteurer schrieb:
Also, friends have mentioned that the air source heat pump sometimes struggles to provide enough hot water for a household of four (for example, when everyone showers one after the other following a day at the lake)But that really depends on the storage capacity and the set temperature! Whether you have 100 liters or 270 liters (27 gallons or 71 gallons) makes a big difference, as does whether the water is stored at 55°C or "only" 40°C (131°F or 104°F)—since that affects how much cold water needs to be mixed at the tap. We have 270 liters (71 gallons), and when both adults shower and the two kids bathe together, there is still hot water left in the pipes... After that, the unit runs for about 3–4 hours to reach the set temperature of 55°C (131°F) again.
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Bauabenteurer5 Dec 2014 18:55Bauexperte schrieb:
Hello,
Where do you get this data from? Heat pumps haven’t been in use long enough to provide reliable information on their lifespan.
Air-to-air heat pump or air-to-water heat pump? What is the storage volume for domestic hot water?
Regards, BauexperteWhat do you mean by "data"? These are estimates from the site manager, confirmed by the heating installer. An air heat pump works like a refrigerator, just the other way around. Such a refrigerator can run reliably for 20 years, but it can also fail after 10 years.
I didn’t ask about the domestic hot water storage volume. Just the idea of running out of hot water when guests are staying over (and we have a large family with frequent overnight visitors) really put me off.
What worries me more now is the crisis with Russia. But well, the gas heating is already in use.
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