ᐅ Modernizing a House with Night Storage Heaters: What Are the Options?
Created on: 18 Dec 2022 13:04
E
exelzur
Good day everyone,
My wife and I are currently in the process of purchasing a house built in 1976. It is equipped with night storage heaters, some of which are partially “modernized” models, and a hot water boiler (is that the correct term?).
Our plan is to modernize the house as follows. I would appreciate it if someone could take a look and let me know if I am making any mistakes or overlooking anything:
- Replace the hot water boiler with a hot water heat pump (basement model without an outdoor unit)
- Keep the night storage heaters for now but minimize their use or limit them to certain rooms if possible
- Install air-source heat pump air conditioning units in these rooms: two children’s bedrooms, one living room, one bedroom, and possibly one office
- Add a pellet stove in the living room with ventilation to the hallway and kitchen
- Install a photovoltaic system with battery storage
Is this plan realistic, or is it just an idealistic idea? A complete renovation of the house is not planned due to its well-maintained condition.
I would appreciate your feedback.
Best regards,
Christopher
My wife and I are currently in the process of purchasing a house built in 1976. It is equipped with night storage heaters, some of which are partially “modernized” models, and a hot water boiler (is that the correct term?).
Our plan is to modernize the house as follows. I would appreciate it if someone could take a look and let me know if I am making any mistakes or overlooking anything:
- Replace the hot water boiler with a hot water heat pump (basement model without an outdoor unit)
- Keep the night storage heaters for now but minimize their use or limit them to certain rooms if possible
- Install air-source heat pump air conditioning units in these rooms: two children’s bedrooms, one living room, one bedroom, and possibly one office
- Add a pellet stove in the living room with ventilation to the hallway and kitchen
- Install a photovoltaic system with battery storage
Is this plan realistic, or is it just an idealistic idea? A complete renovation of the house is not planned due to its well-maintained condition.
I would appreciate your feedback.
Best regards,
Christopher
exelzur schrieb:
- Replace the hot water boiler with a hot water heat pump (basement model without outdoor unit)
- Night storage heaters will remain for now but ideally not used, or only in individual rooms
- Air source heat pump air conditioners in the following rooms: 2 children's bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 bedroom, possibly 1 office
- Pellet stove in the living room with ventilation to the hallway and kitchen
- Photovoltaic system with battery storageSounds like a good plan to me. HPWH, as mentioned, will probably require outdoor air intake.
A 170 m² (1830 sq ft) house from the 1970s, if not modernized, will likely have a specific energy demand of around 200-250 kWh/m² with a total heating load of about 17 kW – as a rough estimate.
Insulating the top floor ceiling and replacing the windows would be sensible short-term measures.
Upgrading the roof for energy efficiency would also make sense; this might require reroofing.
If the house is currently unrenovated, you can expect an electricity consumption of around 10,000-12,000 kWh with the heat pump, minus the amount covered by pellets.
What does the energy performance certificate say? There should be an energy demand certificate available for the house. If it’s reliable, it will also suggest useful modernization measures.
We once considered an older house that had night storage heaters installed. During the viewing, we had an energy consultant with us.
At that time, they recommended a combination of a heat pump and pellet heating. This made sense because the house had a large, mostly dry basement suitable for storing pellets.
They did not completely dismiss using only a heat pump, but it depends on how well the rest of the house can be insulated. Otherwise, it can quickly become expensive. We had considered upgrading to an 85 standard in terms of energy efficiency. However, even in the rough planning phase, this was already so costly that we ultimately didn’t feel confident proceeding. We were afraid the project would turn into a money pit.
At that time, they recommended a combination of a heat pump and pellet heating. This made sense because the house had a large, mostly dry basement suitable for storing pellets.
They did not completely dismiss using only a heat pump, but it depends on how well the rest of the house can be insulated. Otherwise, it can quickly become expensive. We had considered upgrading to an 85 standard in terms of energy efficiency. However, even in the rough planning phase, this was already so costly that we ultimately didn’t feel confident proceeding. We were afraid the project would turn into a money pit.
Since you haven’t provided any supporting information (photos, a Scout ID, etc. – caution, no external links!), I have my doubts about the combination “storage heaters / 170 sqm (1830 sq ft) / built in 1976” (and, by the way, I am also skeptical of your list of measures, as you seem to be underestimating or overly optimistic about the total modernization effort).
Year of construction information is often, especially with real estate agents or second owners, more likely to refer to a year of renovation. Storage heaters and 1976 are not necessarily incompatible, but for new buildings of this size, the combination would at least be unusual. I don’t see anything in your list about windows and doors, piping and sanitary fixtures, and while you mention a basement, you don’t include insulation of its ceiling. For example, are you aware that installing underfloor heating can have consequences for the lintel heights of doors?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Year of construction information is often, especially with real estate agents or second owners, more likely to refer to a year of renovation. Storage heaters and 1976 are not necessarily incompatible, but for new buildings of this size, the combination would at least be unusual. I don’t see anything in your list about windows and doors, piping and sanitary fixtures, and while you mention a basement, you don’t include insulation of its ceiling. For example, are you aware that installing underfloor heating can have consequences for the lintel heights of doors?
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
Please excuse me for not being able to send everything sooner:
Attached is the energy performance certificate. Unfortunately, the brochure has been removed. It is clear that the wooden insulated glass windows will also be replaced in the coming years, but not as a primary measure, since we plan to carry out everything gradually.
Attached is the energy performance certificate. Unfortunately, the brochure has been removed. It is clear that the wooden insulated glass windows will also be replaced in the coming years, but not as a primary measure, since we plan to carry out everything gradually.
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