ᐅ Retrofitting an air conditioning system – will that affect KfW funding?
Created on: 10 Jun 2021 21:02
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Helado
Good evening everyone,
Since October, we have been living in a prefabricated house built by Hanse Haus. We have been living here for about 5 months now and are very pleased.
However, at the moment, the indoor temperature in each room is between 26°C and 28°C (79°F and 82°F), even though it is similarly warm outside. The only way we can lower the temperature is by opening the windows at night.
We have a KFW55 standard and a Stiebel Eltron LWZ 5s Plus. Unfortunately, it does not have an active cooling function, but we have installed and activated the summer cassette in the menu settings. So far, this has not produced the desired result. The temperature remains the same.
We are now considering adding air conditioning, but we have been clearly advised that this might mean no longer meeting the KFW energy-saving regulation standards, and therefore, it might affect the eligibility for subsidies. Fortunately, it is not very hot outside at the moment, but when it reaches 35°C (95°F) outdoors, the temperature inside the house can easily rise to around 30°C (86°F), which is not exactly comfortable.
Does anyone have advice or experience with retrofitting air conditioning (in specific rooms) or with the same heating system?
Thanks & best regards
Helado
Since October, we have been living in a prefabricated house built by Hanse Haus. We have been living here for about 5 months now and are very pleased.
However, at the moment, the indoor temperature in each room is between 26°C and 28°C (79°F and 82°F), even though it is similarly warm outside. The only way we can lower the temperature is by opening the windows at night.
We have a KFW55 standard and a Stiebel Eltron LWZ 5s Plus. Unfortunately, it does not have an active cooling function, but we have installed and activated the summer cassette in the menu settings. So far, this has not produced the desired result. The temperature remains the same.
We are now considering adding air conditioning, but we have been clearly advised that this might mean no longer meeting the KFW energy-saving regulation standards, and therefore, it might affect the eligibility for subsidies. Fortunately, it is not very hot outside at the moment, but when it reaches 35°C (95°F) outdoors, the temperature inside the house can easily rise to around 30°C (86°F), which is not exactly comfortable.
Does anyone have advice or experience with retrofitting air conditioning (in specific rooms) or with the same heating system?
Thanks & best regards
Helado
R
Reltaw202116 Jun 2021 12:51Mycraft schrieb:
That’s exactly where underfloor heating adds those few degrees—at the floor level. Usually, though, you’re not lying on the floor but sitting on a chair or sofa, or lying in bed. In those places, the temperature feels different, and you no longer notice those few degrees near the floor. Additionally, the humidity remains, since underfloor heating cannot remove moisture from the air, so you don’t really gain much from the touted cooling effect of underfloor heating. If it adds more than 200–300 euros in extra cost, you might as well skip the option.
A few degrees would be enough for me; I’m not Spanish, setting the thermostat to 18°C (64°F) 😎 I actually want the feeling of SUMMER inside. I just don’t want to suffer from heat—and I see that time is against me: as time passes, I don’t get tougher, but summers get longer and hotter.
I have often gotten sick from using traditional air conditioning, precisely because AC removes the moisture that our mucous membranes need. I actually find this lasting humidity combined with the cooling from below quite pleasant—like in a Mediterranean church.
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Reltaw202116 Jun 2021 13:01ypg schrieb:
... and maybe add some plants in front of the patio door? That’s actually the usual approach. It has proven effective for centuries.
You don’t always have to rely on technology that makes the purpose and execution more complicated. Yes! Or build close to the forest, preferably on the northern edge. That’s all possible.
You can also plant native, or even better, local species adapted to your soil conditions in your garden. And wait.
Reltaw2021 schrieb:
A few degrees would be enough for me, I’m not Spanish, setting it to 18°C (64°F)Whether you have 30°C (86°F) or 28°C (82°F) inside doesn’t really make much difference. Others have already found that out.Reltaw2021 schrieb:
It should definitely still feel like SUMMER indoors.Exactly. That is perfectly compatible with air conditioning.Reltaw2021 schrieb:
I have often gotten sick from traditional air conditioners because they remove the moisture needed by the mucous membranes.Same here... People always assume these systems are binary, meaning they can only be cold or off. But the truth is, they can operate at many levels, and if you consider one your own, you can set the humidity levels to what works best for you and your household. Illnesses are caused by poor maintenance, too large temperature differences, and simply poorly adjusted devices.In most large (retail) stores, they just set it to 16°C (61°F) and that’s that. Whether customers complain or not, most are still satisfied.
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BBaumeister16 Jun 2021 14:28Ledigl
We only have one indoor unit. However, there is a large open space opposite the bedroom, so a lot of cool air flows down to the lower floor, which has an open layout. Unfortunately, the children's area does not get much of it. You can use a standing fan to blow the air over during the day. It’s not the best solution, but it works. If I were to build again, I would install a second indoor unit.
Ultimately, it depends entirely on the floor plan. The mechanical ventilation system does not distribute much air and is practically switched off during the day, operating at night with an open bypass.
AllThumbs schrieb:
In how many rooms do you have an indoor unit? I am considering where it might make sense to prepare for one and whether the mechanical ventilation might also help distribute cool air a bit?
We only have one indoor unit. However, there is a large open space opposite the bedroom, so a lot of cool air flows down to the lower floor, which has an open layout. Unfortunately, the children's area does not get much of it. You can use a standing fan to blow the air over during the day. It’s not the best solution, but it works. If I were to build again, I would install a second indoor unit.
Ultimately, it depends entirely on the floor plan. The mechanical ventilation system does not distribute much air and is practically switched off during the day, operating at night with an open bypass.
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BBaumeister16 Jun 2021 14:33Is your garden already finished, or is it still possible to build an earth tube for the mechanical ventilation system?
Mycraft schrieb:
For centuries, houses were built differently than they are today. However, there's no need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut when a simple swipe will do. 😉
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