ᐅ KfW 55 or just the Energy Saving Regulation – Gas heating and minimal ventilation?

Created on: 16 Feb 2018 10:23
S
Sony70
Hello dear forum members,

We will start building our house in September and have already signed a contract with the builder for a KFW 55 house with a central ventilation system and an air-source heat pump.

However, just the day before yesterday, the question arose again—after we realized that the kitchen extractor hood can only be installed as recirculation and not as exhaust due to the ventilation system and the negative pressure caused by an exhaust extractor hood—whether we should build a house more like in the past, meaning not so airtight that we would need a ventilation system, and use gas heating. Initially, this was our plan, but the sales representative at the builder advised against it. Since houses nowadays are so airtight, a ventilation system is necessary. That results in dry air, so additional measures are required. Also, the air-source heat pump is expensive, consumes a lot of electricity or makes you dependent on electricity prices, and with all its electronics, it is quite prone to malfunctions. If it breaks down, significant replacement costs are to be expected.

Yesterday, I spoke with the site manager at the builder about this issue. We discussed this question as well. He said that he would personally build his own house without ventilation and with gas or oil heating. Now the question is: Is this still allowed nowadays under the 2016 Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV 2016), or will the requirements force me to build such an airtight house again that I would need a ventilation system? Then there is the question of whether I would really save anything overall by switching from the air-source heat pump to gas heating, since I would need an indoor chimney again.

Is it true that if I use gas, I definitely have to install solar thermal panels on the roof, or is there still the alternative of building the house more airtight (which of course would require ventilation again)?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Best regards,
Sony
R
Rumbi441
15 Mar 2018 19:23
3,000 are planned

Island hood or downdraft extractor
K
Kekse
15 Mar 2018 19:36
Ah, for that price, you can get something really nice. For an island hood, I would go with a Berbel. Cooktop ventilation is a bit more complex because with many models, you are also tied to a specific cooktop, so your preferences might not necessarily match. Alternatively, you could install two vents, one on each side (but that is obviously very expensive; I’m not exactly sure about the pricing).
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Rumbi441
15 Mar 2018 19:41
Ok, thanks. I didn’t know the manufacturer before... until now, we always thought mainly of Samsung/Siemens/Bosch/Miele.
K
Kekse
15 Mar 2018 20:00
The Usual Suspects
Then I would like to mention Bora when it comes to cooktop ventilation. Possibly Gaggenau as well, but they might be beyond the price range, I am not exactly sure.
E
Eldea
15 Mar 2018 20:04
I’m really curious about our Berbel. However, we don’t have a kitchen island.

Having it directly above the cooktop wouldn’t have worked for us. We’re not so convinced by that, and depending on the version, we would lack space there. But tastes vary.

Your best bet is to visit a good kitchen showroom and take a look at everything.
A
Alex85
15 Mar 2018 20:05
@Rumbi441
Well, that falls into the mid-range category. For 3000€ you can get Berbel, Gutmann, Novy, Bora...