ᐅ Medium-term conversion from gas heating to heat pump heating?

As some of you may already know, we are currently building a house with a gas condensing boiler and solar energy on the roof. This is, as far as I understand, the minimum required by law so far (building location: Saxony). Due to recent developments and the possible increase in the resale value of our house, I would like to know what we should take into account now if the gas heating system later has to or should be converted to a heat pump heating system, hydrogen heating, or similar. We have underfloor heating and use tiles throughout the house.

For now, we will stick with the gas condensing boiler and solar energy, but we would like to prepare technically for an alternative. ("Photovoltaics are being prepared," although this might just be an empty conduit. I do not know the details.)

For the heat pump, use underfloor heating with a tight pipe spacing. Can’t you switch directly yet? Remove solar and gas and replace them with a heat pump? A heating system is usually a decision for 20 years, not just the medium term.

Hello,
I would also consider a direct switch (preferably before now).
Leave out solar thermal and instead make good use of photovoltaic panels. Then install an efficient air-source heat pump (or ground-source heat pump). Honestly, I wouldn’t rely on gas anymore.
That’s my recommendation.

1. Have the installation spacing made suitable for a heat pump ==> max. 10cm (4 inches) (this does not negatively affect gas heating in terms of consumption values)
2. Consider switching directly to a heat pump

The most important aspect is the underfloor heating, which can no longer be changed. If necessary, have it calculated externally, adjusted to the heating load of each individual room. Specify the desired maximum flow temperature, observe the maximum length of the heating circuits as well as the different lengths of the heating circuits. Avoid using 14/2 mm (0.55/0.08 inch) pipes; 17/2 mm (0.67/0.08 inch) is better. Size the connection line generously (this will also be calculated).

Hello,
even though I am a big fan of gas heating systems, I would quickly reconsider after the events of the past weeks, if at all possible. If you don’t need solar thermal systems and can avoid the costs of gas connections and chimneys, hopefully the additional expenses won’t be too high.

It is foreseeable that gas prices will now skyrocket. Currently, the wholesale price for a megawatt-hour is around 300 € (300 USD). That’s 30 cents per kWh!!! I’m curious how long my municipal utility will keep selling it to me for 7 cents per kWh....

If your construction is already too advanced and changing now would cause a work stoppage, I agree with the previous speakers.

- room-by-room heating load calculation
- design pipe spacing for low flow temperatures
- increase the size of the hot water storage tank. Heat pumps generally operate with 300 liters (80 gallons) or more, while gas heaters typically use only 150 liters (40 gallons).

Best regards,

Andreas