ᐅ Heat pump or gas with a central ventilation system featuring heat recovery
Created on: 3 Apr 2019 14:33
L
LlehsifHello everyone,
I am currently planning our new single-family home. I am interested in your experience regarding the choice of heating or an overall heating system concept.
A few key details:
Single-family house
2 stories with a gable roof
Approximately 160-170 sqm (1720-1830 sq ft)
KfW standard: Not planned yet
At first, I favored gas condensing technology combined with solar because air source heat pumps didn’t seem fully developed to me, and the units on the house didn’t look appealing.
In the meantime, a central ventilation system has come into play, which I now definitely want to consider. I was then advised that combining an air source heat pump with heat recovery ventilation would put me in a significantly better position.
What has been your experience? What would you recommend?
Additionally, there seems to be the option of using a combined unit (heat pump and ventilation). Does that make sense, or would it be better to install these two systems separately?
Which manufacturers do you prefer?
Thank you in advance for every response. If you need any more information, I will of course try to provide it.
Best regards,
Fabian
I am currently planning our new single-family home. I am interested in your experience regarding the choice of heating or an overall heating system concept.
A few key details:
Single-family house
2 stories with a gable roof
Approximately 160-170 sqm (1720-1830 sq ft)
KfW standard: Not planned yet
At first, I favored gas condensing technology combined with solar because air source heat pumps didn’t seem fully developed to me, and the units on the house didn’t look appealing.
In the meantime, a central ventilation system has come into play, which I now definitely want to consider. I was then advised that combining an air source heat pump with heat recovery ventilation would put me in a significantly better position.
What has been your experience? What would you recommend?
Additionally, there seems to be the option of using a combined unit (heat pump and ventilation). Does that make sense, or would it be better to install these two systems separately?
Which manufacturers do you prefer?
Thank you in advance for every response. If you need any more information, I will of course try to provide it.
Best regards,
Fabian
I can’t really comment on your specific questions, but what exactly do you find underdeveloped about an air-to-water heat pump? My parents have had one for many years (bought when they were still very new on the market), which is obviously much less efficient compared to modern heat pumps. However, combined with a hydronic stove, it has already paid off over time (even though they use regular radiators instead of underfloor heating).
I don’t have a comparison to a gas boiler, but we also have a combined unit consisting of an air-to-water heat pump and a central ventilation system with heat recovery from StiebelEltron. It is installed in the utility room, and we don’t have any split units mounted on the exterior walls. The heating system is quite bulky, but so far I am very satisfied!
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
My concerns are as follows:
1. The efficiency ratings of heat pumps seem as unrealistic as the fuel consumption figures given for cars. This means it’s unclear what performance you can actually expect and whether it is worth it.
2. With combo units, both functions are affected if there is a malfunction. Additionally, I am generally skeptical that a combo unit can perform two tasks as well as two separate devices.
And like you, seth0487, I find the combo unit quite bulky.
Are there any other experiences, tips, or recommendations?
My concerns are as follows:
1. The efficiency ratings of heat pumps seem as unrealistic as the fuel consumption figures given for cars. This means it’s unclear what performance you can actually expect and whether it is worth it.
2. With combo units, both functions are affected if there is a malfunction. Additionally, I am generally skeptical that a combo unit can perform two tasks as well as two separate devices.
And like you, seth0487, I find the combo unit quite bulky.
Are there any other experiences, tips, or recommendations?
To put it mildly, you could hit gas heating systems with a hammer and they would keep running.
In contrast, heat pumps are very sensitive to everything. Even a slightly incorrect setting or too low outdoor temperatures can cause a failure or significantly increased energy consumption.
A separate mechanical ventilation system performs its task better simply because it is designed specifically for that purpose, unlike a combined unit.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
In contrast, heat pumps are very sensitive to everything. Even a slightly incorrect setting or too low outdoor temperatures can cause a failure or significantly increased energy consumption.
A separate mechanical ventilation system performs its task better simply because it is designed specifically for that purpose, unlike a combined unit.
Ultimately, the decision is up to you.
Hello,
we moved into our house about 1.5 weeks ago. It is approximately 160 sqm (1700 sq ft) with a pitched roof, so a similar size.
When selecting the home systems, it is important to consider the size of the utility room, as standalone appliances collectively require more space than combination devices.
If you choose gas, try to meet the energy saving regulations (EnEV) without solar thermal, but with controlled residential ventilation plus heat recovery.
I can’t comment on air-to-water heat pumps; we have a ground-source heat pump with deep drilling. However, this can also be done with a horizontal ground collector, which is more affordable.
How many people are you / planning to be? Consider this when sizing the hot water storage tank, especially if you’re not using gas.
There are five of us, and we have all three systems (due to the general contractor’s requirements):
Ground-source heat pump
External hot water storage tank 300 l (79 gallons)
Controlled residential ventilation with heat recovery and enthalpy heat exchanger
all from Stiebel Eltron.
If I could choose again, I would go for the ground-source heat pump from Nibe and a controlled residential ventilation system from Zehnder. These systems receive a lot of praise here and also on the pink forum. That doesn’t mean the Stiebel products are bad, of course.
Enjoy choosing your home systems!
we moved into our house about 1.5 weeks ago. It is approximately 160 sqm (1700 sq ft) with a pitched roof, so a similar size.
When selecting the home systems, it is important to consider the size of the utility room, as standalone appliances collectively require more space than combination devices.
If you choose gas, try to meet the energy saving regulations (EnEV) without solar thermal, but with controlled residential ventilation plus heat recovery.
I can’t comment on air-to-water heat pumps; we have a ground-source heat pump with deep drilling. However, this can also be done with a horizontal ground collector, which is more affordable.
How many people are you / planning to be? Consider this when sizing the hot water storage tank, especially if you’re not using gas.
There are five of us, and we have all three systems (due to the general contractor’s requirements):
Ground-source heat pump
External hot water storage tank 300 l (79 gallons)
Controlled residential ventilation with heat recovery and enthalpy heat exchanger
all from Stiebel Eltron.
If I could choose again, I would go for the ground-source heat pump from Nibe and a controlled residential ventilation system from Zehnder. These systems receive a lot of praise here and also on the pink forum. That doesn’t mean the Stiebel products are bad, of course.
Enjoy choosing your home systems!
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