ᐅ Gas vs. Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Created on: 29 Dec 2019 16:34
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Sternchen31
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Sternchen31
29 Dec 2019 16:34
Hello,

we also have a gas connection on our plot that we can have installed for €2,000.

We are currently considering which option is better. We plan to build a single-family house with 130sqm (1,400 sq ft) of living space and a full basement, designed as a KfW55 house. A photovoltaic system is also planned, intended to cover heating and general electricity consumption. We are a family of three (2 adults and 1 child).

No matter how we search, we can’t really find a way to compare the costs and benefits. What are your experiences? Which is better, more efficient, more cost-effective in the long run, and easier to maintain: a gas heating system or an air-to-water heat pump?

Thank you very much in advance.
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michert
29 Dec 2019 17:53
Ultimately, you first need to obtain quotes; it’s not possible to answer this reliably beforehand. In my case, the air-to-water heat pump was cheaper in terms of total cost of ownership (TCO). With the CO2 tax, the price advantage of the gas heating system will likely decrease in terms of variable costs. However, this is purely speculation.
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michert
29 Dec 2019 17:59
Regarding maintenance: My heat pump is basically maintenance-free. However, I believe this depends on the refrigerant and the manufacturer.
Regarding lifespan: This is always a major point of debate. If properly sized and configured, you have a good chance of a long service life. It is also important that you, as the user, understand your system. A gas heating system is generally more forgiving of user-related "misuse."
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fragg
2 Jan 2020 09:08
You need gas anyway for the stove...

If you install gas, you will probably also have to add solar thermal panels to the roof for KfW55 standards (there are other solutions, but this is the standard). However, these can also be installed on the north side, leaving the south side free for photovoltaic panels.

Gas is the cheap and simple solution that anyone can handle.

If someone inexperienced installs a heat pump, you’ll end up paying a fortune for electricity. You MUST be heavily involved during the construction phase and closely supervise the work.

General rule: the lower the heating demand, the more worthwhile a heat pump becomes.
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michert
2 Jan 2020 09:32
As of January 1, 2020, BAFA apparently changed the subsidy for heat pumps. Now, 35% of the eligible costs are subsidized. I don’t have the total costs of a gas plus solar thermal system to calculate this precisely, but I believe this significantly shifts the overall calculation in favor of the heat pump. I hope I haven’t misunderstood the subsidy conditions, but if this is correct, it could mark the economic end of gas heating in new construction.
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hausbauer
2 Jan 2020 09:37
Applies to new construction only if an annual performance factor greater than 4.5 is achieved