ᐅ High heating costs during warm-up phase due to incorrectly adjusted heating system
Created on: 13 Feb 2024 20:45
T
tristan01
Hello everyone,
I would like to share my situation and get your advice.
We are currently building a single-family house with about 140 sqm (1,507 sq ft) of living space. The screed was poured back in September last year. After that, it was left to rest for about 20 days. Then the heating process started with a separate heating device, as the heat pump that can also do this was not yet installed at that time.
The heating device, when properly set, runs a heating program that starts at around 25°C (77°F), increases by 5°C (9°F) each day, and reaches its peak at 50°C (122°F). After that, the temperature decreases again in 5°C (9°F) steps.
Our problem was that the heating device was set to manual mode instead of automatic program. We noticed this quite quickly because the temperature rapidly reached 50°C (122°F) and stayed there for three weeks. We immediately reported this to the construction manager and the responsible plumbing company. Unfortunately, nothing was done.
During the three weeks of heating, we used about 5000 kWh of electricity. We understand that the heating process is the responsibility of the homeowner. Comparable figures from neighbors for the same house size are around 1700 kWh.
Now my question is: Who has experienced similar cases and how did you handle it? Is it possible to hold the general contractor liable or withhold money from the final payment? What was your approach?
I would like to share my situation and get your advice.
We are currently building a single-family house with about 140 sqm (1,507 sq ft) of living space. The screed was poured back in September last year. After that, it was left to rest for about 20 days. Then the heating process started with a separate heating device, as the heat pump that can also do this was not yet installed at that time.
The heating device, when properly set, runs a heating program that starts at around 25°C (77°F), increases by 5°C (9°F) each day, and reaches its peak at 50°C (122°F). After that, the temperature decreases again in 5°C (9°F) steps.
Our problem was that the heating device was set to manual mode instead of automatic program. We noticed this quite quickly because the temperature rapidly reached 50°C (122°F) and stayed there for three weeks. We immediately reported this to the construction manager and the responsible plumbing company. Unfortunately, nothing was done.
During the three weeks of heating, we used about 5000 kWh of electricity. We understand that the heating process is the responsibility of the homeowner. Comparable figures from neighbors for the same house size are around 1700 kWh.
Now my question is: Who has experienced similar cases and how did you handle it? Is it possible to hold the general contractor liable or withhold money from the final payment? What was your approach?
A
Allthewayup14 Feb 2024 09:52This automatic program is just a gimmick. How is the automatic program supposed to know what type of screed was installed? Each manufacturer provides different heating protocols depending on the exact composition of their screed.
You will not be able to pass on the costs.
You will not be able to pass on the costs.
Allthewayup schrieb:
This automatic program is just a gimmick. How is it supposed to know which type of screed has been installed? Each manufacturer publishes different heating protocols depending on the exact screed mixture.
You won’t be able to pass the costs on. I’m not sure if the screed and the heating program always match. Of course, that would be ideal. I completely agree with you there.
Regardless of the screed type, it makes a difference to me whether the device is operated manually or with a program. When using the program, it heats up slowly and therefore consumes less electricity. Whether the screed is "ready" afterwards has to be decided by the construction manager.
W
WilderSueden14 Feb 2024 12:35tristan01 schrieb:
In the program, it heats up slowly and therefore uses less electricity. And how much do you think that really makes a difference? The heat loss of a new building isn’t that high as long as the windows are closed. It certainly doesn’t add up to 3000 kWh. In the end, you might be arguing over about $100. I would be much more concerned about the screed than the electricity used for heating it up. Whether the screed is okay is not decided by the construction manager of the general contractor (whose answer I can already guess), but by an expert you hire who represents your interests exclusively.
WilderSueden schrieb:
And how much do you think that really amounts to? The heat loss of a new building isn’t that high as long as the windows are closed. It definitely doesn’t add up to 3000 kWh. In the end, you’re probably arguing over just about 100€. I see it differently. Our neighbor used about 1700 kWh. Calculating at 0.40€/kWh, that’s 680€. We used 5000 kWh just for heating. That equals 2000€.
I agree with the expert. They should be the best person to assess this.
W
WilderSueden14 Feb 2024 17:06How did the neighbor heat up? With a hot water heater or a heat pump? What type of screed and heating-up program did the neighbor use? There are also huge differences there. How was the ventilation done at your place and theirs? Drying dehumidifier? Right now, you are comparing apples and oranges.
By the way, our consumption for 130m² (1400 sq ft) was also more or less in your range.
By the way, our consumption for 130m² (1400 sq ft) was also more or less in your range.
WilderSueden schrieb:
How did the neighbor heat up? With a heating cable or with a heat pump? Which type of screed and which heating program did the neighbor use? There are huge differences here as well. How was ventilation handled for you and for them? Building dryer? Right now you are comparing apples and oranges.
Our consumption for 130 sqm (1400 sq ft) was actually in a similar range to yours. I am still unclear about what you mean by apples and oranges. We have two neighbors building with the same construction company. The heating up process was the same for all of us – all using heating cables. Each of us ventilated twice a day by opening the windows. No additional ventilation systems were used. The screed is the same for all.
To me, this is comparable. The only possible difference might be the timing: the first neighbor in September, us in October, and the next in November.
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