ᐅ Is it possible to have gas heating without solar panels in a new build?
Created on: 1 May 2022 16:22
D
derFriese
We are currently planning our new build and struggling with the heating system. The living area of the house is about 165 m² (1776 ft²) plus a heated basement that is rarely used. The house features KfW40-level insulation, controlled mechanical ventilation, and underfloor heating.
Originally, we wanted to install a heat pump, but the prices for heat pumps are outrageous. Even with rising gas prices (electricity prices have also increased), we wouldn’t be able to recoup the initial investment (the additional cost for an air heat pump compared to gas from various builders is around €15,000-20,000). Therefore, we are planning to go with gas heating, with the option to switch to a heat pump later on.
The KfW40 subsidy is no longer available, and I am wondering if it is possible to install a gas condensing boiler without solar thermal panels under the building energy law, given that we already have good insulation and controlled mechanical ventilation. The idea is to save costs and leave more room for photovoltaic panels in the future. Does anyone have experience with this?
Originally, we wanted to install a heat pump, but the prices for heat pumps are outrageous. Even with rising gas prices (electricity prices have also increased), we wouldn’t be able to recoup the initial investment (the additional cost for an air heat pump compared to gas from various builders is around €15,000-20,000). Therefore, we are planning to go with gas heating, with the option to switch to a heat pump later on.
The KfW40 subsidy is no longer available, and I am wondering if it is possible to install a gas condensing boiler without solar thermal panels under the building energy law, given that we already have good insulation and controlled mechanical ventilation. The idea is to save costs and leave more room for photovoltaic panels in the future. Does anyone have experience with this?
It is understandable to want to compare options. Especially nowadays, you cannot predict the future. I would also support preparing for a heat pump and then installing it as a monoblock unit yourself. The prices being asked are simply outrageous.
However, I am not sure if the total demand of 4000 kWh/year fits. That is quite low, especially considering the basement.
However, I am not sure if the total demand of 4000 kWh/year fits. That is quite low, especially considering the basement.
P
Pinkiponk2 May 2022 09:50derFriese schrieb:
My plan is to start with gas heating first but have everything prepared for a heat pump (underfloor heating designed for low flow temperature).This is the same approach we are currently taking, but we chose the standard solution of gas heating combined with solar thermal. Photovoltaic is planned and will be installed once we have more budget and the storage systems become more affordable, or when it becomes feasible to use electric cars as storage. 🙂D
DaGoodness2 May 2022 12:06Six years ago, when we were building our house, I insisted from the start that it had to be an air-to-water heat pump. Even without doing a cost comparison. I knew that the heat pump would be more expensive, but just the idea of not relying on fossil fuels was worth it to me. Now, with the photovoltaic system and considering the current global situation, I’m glad I made that decision back then.
Today, a gas heating system is even less of an option for me.
Of course, it’s understandable to do a cost comparison, but for me, that would be secondary nowadays. I find other factors like “dependency” much more important than cost.
But €36,800 is certainly a significant amount. We didn’t even pay that for the entire heating and plumbing work combined six years ago. The heat pump alone cost us around €14,000 back then (Stiebel Eltron LWZ 304).
Today, a gas heating system is even less of an option for me.
Of course, it’s understandable to do a cost comparison, but for me, that would be secondary nowadays. I find other factors like “dependency” much more important than cost.
But €36,800 is certainly a significant amount. We didn’t even pay that for the entire heating and plumbing work combined six years ago. The heat pump alone cost us around €14,000 back then (Stiebel Eltron LWZ 304).
Pinkiponk schrieb:
Photovoltaics are set up and will be installed once we have more money again.So, never. 😀 You’d be the first homeowner to actually have more money after building than before. (Inheritance, lottery, etc. excluded…)
W
WilderSueden2 May 2022 13:05derFriese schrieb:
Do you mean 4000 kWh of gas (and therefore 1000 kWh of electricity)? I’m referring to heat. A modern gas boiler operates at an efficiency just under 100%, so roughly speaking, it’s about the same.
A KfW40 house has a calculated heating demand of 25 kWh/m² (8 kBtu/ft²), which results in the 4000 kWh figure. What you make of that is up to you. With the basement, it could be somewhat higher, but I consider 12,000 kWh to be as exaggerated as the additional charges from your construction companies. That would actually be the point at which I’d start looking for a different company. Building a dead-end technology into a state-of-the-art house strikes me as complete nonsense. My second-best option would be to lower the standard from KfW 40 to KfW 55, and the third-best solution would be to contract the heating installation yourself.
D
Deliverer2 May 2022 13:20I see it similarly. I would do EVERYTHING possible to avoid having gas installed. However, I would also go to great lengths to avoid having a heat pump installed for $25,000 (minus controlled residential ventilation, plus boiler and connection), especially when the same quality can be obtained for $5,000.
The ideal approach would be to build a passive house and save around €100,000 (approximately $110,000) in operating and heating renewal costs over the next few decades. Unfortunately, not every homeowner can manage that yet...
The ideal approach would be to build a passive house and save around €100,000 (approximately $110,000) in operating and heating renewal costs over the next few decades. Unfortunately, not every homeowner can manage that yet...
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