ᐅ New Single-Family Home: Insulation and Heating?

Created on: 4 Feb 2015 10:13
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EFHBaumax
E
EFHBaumax
4 Feb 2015 10:13
Hello,

we want to start building a single-family house as soon as possible this year.

That’s why we are currently contacting many construction companies, but the different proposed designs vary quite a bit. A plot of about 1100m² (0.27 acres) is already available. The plan is for a single-family house with 150m² (1,615 sq ft) plus a basement. 1.5 floors, with the basement partially above ground, a gable roof, and an attached double garage.

Of course, everyone tries to sell their proposed design as the best system. We are uncertain about what the optimal solution really is regarding the following points.

Exterior Walls:
-T8 Poroton blocks with 425mm (17 inches) wall thickness, directly plastered.
-T8 Poroton blocks with 300mm (12 inches) wall thickness plus 160mm (6 inches) thermal insulation.

According to the U-value calculator, the version with insulation performs significantly better, but could the insulation cause moisture problems? Is the investment in insulation worth it? By the way, only one provider wants to use adhesive for the bricks; the others recommend lightweight mortar.

Roof:
The costs would be lowest if installing insulation between the rafters as a DIY project, which could be supplemented with additional insulation below the rafters.

Roof insulation above the rafters is naturally more expensive initially, but does it provide a noticeable added benefit? One company is trying to convince us to use above-rafter insulation, citing better insulation performance and improved heat protection as reasons. What are your experiences and independent opinions on this?

Heating:
The ground floor, first floor, and if needed parts of the basement, totaling about 200m² (2,153 sq ft), are to be heated. All with underfloor heating.

We are considering a ground source heat pump with a horizontal collector, additionally supported by a solar system for hot water preparation, possibly also for regenerating the ground.

My wife tends to feel cold easily, so our room temperature is often about 2°C (3.6°F) higher than average. Will a heat pump still be economical under these conditions?

Might it even be economical to install an additional air-to-water heat pump, which would take over heating when outdoor temperatures are higher?

Unfortunately, there is no gas connection on site. We have generally been advised against oil, but is it still worthwhile, or are we just being pushed into expensive heat pumps?