Hello,
We are interested in a house that is currently for sale and are already in negotiations. We have now learned that there was a misunderstanding regarding the heating system. It is heated with a heat pump; until now, we thought there was underfloor heating. It has turned out that the heating is only provided through the central ventilation system, essentially using warm air. The seller presents this as a particularly high-quality heating system that was even more expensive. We would have found underfloor heating, at least in the bathroom, very comfortable.
Can anyone share information about this type of heating? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
The house was built in 2002 and has approximately 145 m² (1560 sq ft).
Tobi
We are interested in a house that is currently for sale and are already in negotiations. We have now learned that there was a misunderstanding regarding the heating system. It is heated with a heat pump; until now, we thought there was underfloor heating. It has turned out that the heating is only provided through the central ventilation system, essentially using warm air. The seller presents this as a particularly high-quality heating system that was even more expensive. We would have found underfloor heating, at least in the bathroom, very comfortable.
Can anyone share information about this type of heating? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
The house was built in 2002 and has approximately 145 m² (1560 sq ft).
Tobi
Viebrockhaus probably hasn’t invented a perpetual motion machine yet either. Heat recovery always involves some loss—where does the rest come from? Electrical appliances, occupants, solar gains—yes! That only works in a passive house. All others use electricity for heating.
Especially if an additional 2-3 kW are used for hot water. Even a passive house can barely manage that.
Especially if an additional 2-3 kW are used for hot water. Even a passive house can barely manage that.
Alright. Then these should definitely be considered a similar investment to an air-to-water heat pump (with outdoor air), since underfloor heating and related components are also involved.
However, I’m even less clear on why someone would want to do that. In that case, you could also just source the energy from outside.
However, I’m even less clear on why someone would want to do that. In that case, you could also just source the energy from outside.
That makes sense, Alex. But is such a house still healthy? It has to be completely airtight, ideally with windows sealed shut so that no one ever ventilates. And with a crawl space door to prevent any cold outside air from coming in. Ew, I imagine living in a house like that would be a nightmare. Pale people, looking fragile, huddled inside, comforting themselves by saying, yes, but we saved the world. It was worth it…[emoji28]
Haha, that’s a good question. I think even a KfW house is already "hermetically" sealed in a general sense. The rest is mostly about measurement. But yes, Passive Houses designed using PHPP place special emphasis on airtightness, heat loss through insulation and thermal bridges, as well as passive energy input like solar gains, occupants, and electrical appliances. In my opinion, the high costs are mainly due to the paperwork rather than the building materials or craftsmanship.
As for feeling unwell during unconscious time spent in such a space, I’m inclined to doubt it. The few people I know with Passive Houses don’t look like Gollum; they get up at 5 a.m. and run around the lake. Idealists.
As for feeling unwell during unconscious time spent in such a space, I’m inclined to doubt it. The few people I know with Passive Houses don’t look like Gollum; they get up at 5 a.m. and run around the lake. Idealists.