ᐅ Heat Pump: Which Type Makes Sense? (Viessmann Vitocal 250-A?)
Created on: 15 Nov 2024 19:44
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Newbi23
Hello everyone,
I’m a fairly new homeowner and still getting familiar with these topics, so please bear with me. 😉 Our old Rotex heating system (22 years old) started struggling during the first winter, we managed to fix it temporarily, but it was clear we needed to think about replacing it soon. Given the current political situation, we want to apply for funding in December and have a heat pump installed next year. The company that handles maintenance (also highly rated on Google) recommended the Viessmann Vitocal 250-A, which also seems to perform well according to Stiftung Warentest. I’m aware it’s sold to the Americans, but that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker (I can manage customer service in English with the Indian support if needed).
House details:
- Built in 2001
- 150m² (1615 sq ft) of living space, of which 40m² (430 sq ft) are in the basement (with half-height windows) and currently do not require strong heating, but will in the future
- 65m² (700 sq ft) of utility space
- Previous owner’s consumption: 15,000 kWh/year
- Underfloor heating in kitchen, living room, and bathrooms; thermostats in basement and upper floor
It should be quiet (which seems to be the case) and above all a sensible long-term investment (meaning if the higher efficiency compensates for the higher initial cost, a somewhat higher price is acceptable).
The only thing that puzzles me a bit is that the technician verbally quoted 35,000–40,000 euros (without subsidies). On the internet, e.g., EnBW lists total costs between 17,000 and 27,000 euros. Our situation is a bit more complex since we are considering installing the system behind the garage, meaning another trench and roughly 20 meters (65 ft) of cables routed through the garage (along the wall, not inside it), but that shouldn’t add more than 10,000 euros. Therefore, my questions:
1. Does this model make sense from your perspective, or would you recommend others I should consider (what are the pros & cons)?
2. Is it better to hire smaller local companies for installation or one of the larger providers (if so, which are reliable)? [We live near Worms, between Mannheim and Frankfurt]
Good luck!
I’m a fairly new homeowner and still getting familiar with these topics, so please bear with me. 😉 Our old Rotex heating system (22 years old) started struggling during the first winter, we managed to fix it temporarily, but it was clear we needed to think about replacing it soon. Given the current political situation, we want to apply for funding in December and have a heat pump installed next year. The company that handles maintenance (also highly rated on Google) recommended the Viessmann Vitocal 250-A, which also seems to perform well according to Stiftung Warentest. I’m aware it’s sold to the Americans, but that’s not necessarily a dealbreaker (I can manage customer service in English with the Indian support if needed).
House details:
- Built in 2001
- 150m² (1615 sq ft) of living space, of which 40m² (430 sq ft) are in the basement (with half-height windows) and currently do not require strong heating, but will in the future
- 65m² (700 sq ft) of utility space
- Previous owner’s consumption: 15,000 kWh/year
- Underfloor heating in kitchen, living room, and bathrooms; thermostats in basement and upper floor
It should be quiet (which seems to be the case) and above all a sensible long-term investment (meaning if the higher efficiency compensates for the higher initial cost, a somewhat higher price is acceptable).
The only thing that puzzles me a bit is that the technician verbally quoted 35,000–40,000 euros (without subsidies). On the internet, e.g., EnBW lists total costs between 17,000 and 27,000 euros. Our situation is a bit more complex since we are considering installing the system behind the garage, meaning another trench and roughly 20 meters (65 ft) of cables routed through the garage (along the wall, not inside it), but that shouldn’t add more than 10,000 euros. Therefore, my questions:
1. Does this model make sense from your perspective, or would you recommend others I should consider (what are the pros & cons)?
2. Is it better to hire smaller local companies for installation or one of the larger providers (if so, which are reliable)? [We live near Worms, between Mannheim and Frankfurt]
Good luck!
Are you referring to the setup or the individual prices (more expensive provider, you can get the 250 cheaper, etc.)? If it’s the setup: Where could savings be made?
I understood that the buffer tank is important for the efficiency and lifespan of the heat pump. What did you mean by "a bigger challenge to tackle, if it is listed like that at Viessmann"?
I understood that the buffer tank is important for the efficiency and lifespan of the heat pump. What did you mean by "a bigger challenge to tackle, if it is listed like that at Viessmann"?
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stjoob_at2 Dec 2024 14:31Newbi23 schrieb:
I understood that a buffer tank is important for the efficiency and lifespan of the heat pump. What did you mean by "making a bigger deal if it says so at Viessmann"? It’s actually the opposite. A separation or parallel buffer causes more cycling = less efficiency, more wear.
A small serial buffer tank on the return line can be useful, for example with radiators and an air-to-water heat pump during the defrost cycle.
And stay away from ERR (excessive flow throttling). The heat pump doesn’t like being throttled like that either.
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nordanney2 Dec 2024 14:37Newbi23 schrieb:
Are you referring to the setup or the unit prices (expensive supplier, you can get the 250 cheaper, etc.)? If the setup: Where could you save?
I understood that the buffer tank is important for the efficiency and lifespan of the heat pump. What did you mean by "bigger challenge if it’s stated like this at Viessmann"? I was referring to the buffer tank. It’s expensive and causes inefficiency (though that should be seen relative to other factors). The best heat pump system is one that goes directly from the heat pump into the underfloor heating and back, properly calculated and designed, and running as close to 24/7 as possible. It should not be slowed down by individual room controllers (which you can get exempted from).
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