ᐅ Heat Pump – Is It Only Worthwhile with KfW55-Level Insulation?
Created on: 20 Jan 2018 20:41
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chrivoWe are planning to build with DEURA. By default, they use 36.5cm (14.4 inches) Poroton bricks without additional insulation on the exterior walls. The extra costs to meet the KfW55 standard are estimated at around 10,000€ (euros). To save money, and because KfW financing doesn’t offer us much benefit, we are considering skipping these additional measures.
Now to my question: do you think we are right to install a heat pump, or is it only worthwhile if the house is properly insulated to the KfW55 standard? Heat pumps are somewhat controversial, and I am considering switching to gas instead.
Now to my question: do you think we are right to install a heat pump, or is it only worthwhile if the house is properly insulated to the KfW55 standard? Heat pumps are somewhat controversial, and I am considering switching to gas instead.
I can only share my humble opinion here, as I don’t have professional expertise, but I think if you want to install just a heat pump without additional energy sources like photovoltaic panels, then gas might be a better option for you. The heat pump runs solely on electricity, and electricity prices are likely to rise more over the next 10 to 20 years than gas prices. Of course, I could be wrong.
Gas prices are expected to rise more sharply than electricity prices over the next 10 to 20 years. However, I could be wrong.
Both systems provide heating and achieve the goal. But if you choose gas, you should design the system so that a switch to a heat pump is possible later. Anyone installing gas heating today should be aware that, politically, this will likely no longer be supported for new installations from 2030 onward. This means replacing the gas boiler will probably only be allowed under grandfathering rules, which have previously caused significant effort during property ownership changes... but who really knows.
Both systems provide heating and achieve the goal. But if you choose gas, you should design the system so that a switch to a heat pump is possible later. Anyone installing gas heating today should be aware that, politically, this will likely no longer be supported for new installations from 2030 onward. This means replacing the gas boiler will probably only be allowed under grandfathering rules, which have previously caused significant effort during property ownership changes... but who really knows.
I don’t think it’s necessary to consider what will happen by 2030 at this point. For underfloor heating, use the smallest possible pipe spacing; this allows you to operate with a low supply temperature easily, saving energy whether you have a gas system or a heat pump. The extra cost for a few meters of pipe is minimal.
Today, I would choose gas because the additional costs of a heat pump can never be recovered. Even if you install photovoltaic panels on the roof, it won’t save you much since they generate little energy in winter, and in summer, you don’t need heating anyway.
Just my two cents.
Today, I would choose gas because the additional costs of a heat pump can never be recovered. Even if you install photovoltaic panels on the roof, it won’t save you much since they generate little energy in winter, and in summer, you don’t need heating anyway.
Just my two cents.
This way, the arguments can be passed back and forth. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the price of the systems.
For me, gas is outdated. The price is historically low and gives the impression that this will always be the case. Doubling of prices within a year is quite possible. Additionally, political ideas such as CO2 taxation play a role. The electricity price is historically high and mainly influenced by politics rather than international crises or speculators.
It is hard to think as far ahead as 2030, but in fact that is not so far away, as the first replacement of the boiler is likely to be due after this date.
In new buildings, the share of hot water supply in the total energy demand is around 30–40%, so a photovoltaic system can definitely contribute something during the summer in terms of annual heating costs. However, this should not be overestimated, as the photovoltaic system is not free to install.
For me, gas is outdated. The price is historically low and gives the impression that this will always be the case. Doubling of prices within a year is quite possible. Additionally, political ideas such as CO2 taxation play a role. The electricity price is historically high and mainly influenced by politics rather than international crises or speculators.
It is hard to think as far ahead as 2030, but in fact that is not so far away, as the first replacement of the boiler is likely to be due after this date.
In new buildings, the share of hot water supply in the total energy demand is around 30–40%, so a photovoltaic system can definitely contribute something during the summer in terms of annual heating costs. However, this should not be overestimated, as the photovoltaic system is not free to install.
Alex85 schrieb:
In new buildings, the share of hot water supply in the total energy demand is about 30-40%, so a photovoltaic system can definitely contribute something during the summer in terms of annual heating costs. But this should not be overestimated, since the photovoltaic system is not free to install.This is an important point that must not be forgotten, especially with growing children! Due to the large temperature differences in winter, air-source heat pumps work especially inefficiently and can be quite noisy. Therefore, a ground-source heat pump is preferable.
Of course, it always depends on the individual case. A passive house in the Lower Rhine region with two occupants will run very well with a good air-source heat pump, including BAFA subsidies.
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