Hello everyone,
for our new single-family house (about 170sqm (1830 sq ft), brine-to-water heat pump for heating and domestic hot water), we are getting a Viessmann system. Viessmann offers the Natural Cooling Box (NC-Box) as an add-on (around 4000 euros including installation and additional thermostats), which allows cool water to circulate through the underfloor heating in summer (cooled down passively via a plate heat exchanger with the brine). I understand that the cooling capacity is limited by the dew point (and there will be no ceiling cooling). Generally, I hear that the indoor temperature difference is about 3°C (5°F) with or without cooling.
I also realize that temperature perception varies, but nevertheless: Can anyone share first-hand experience with this or a similar system? Is the cooling effect noticeable during summer? How is the electricity consumption? Does the control system work properly?
Furthermore, I read somewhere here in the forum that the NC-Box ALWAYS consumes electricity – even when cooling, for example in winter, is turned off. That can’t be right, can it? Is this nonsense? Maybe a bit of electronics run at 0.25W, but the pump would at least be off, right?
Thanks in advance for any insights!
for our new single-family house (about 170sqm (1830 sq ft), brine-to-water heat pump for heating and domestic hot water), we are getting a Viessmann system. Viessmann offers the Natural Cooling Box (NC-Box) as an add-on (around 4000 euros including installation and additional thermostats), which allows cool water to circulate through the underfloor heating in summer (cooled down passively via a plate heat exchanger with the brine). I understand that the cooling capacity is limited by the dew point (and there will be no ceiling cooling). Generally, I hear that the indoor temperature difference is about 3°C (5°F) with or without cooling.
I also realize that temperature perception varies, but nevertheless: Can anyone share first-hand experience with this or a similar system? Is the cooling effect noticeable during summer? How is the electricity consumption? Does the control system work properly?
Furthermore, I read somewhere here in the forum that the NC-Box ALWAYS consumes electricity – even when cooling, for example in winter, is turned off. That can’t be right, can it? Is this nonsense? Maybe a bit of electronics run at 0.25W, but the pump would at least be off, right?
Thanks in advance for any insights!
S
Stadtvilla1921 Aug 2020 17:41Well, a lot is promised, but we really couldn’t imagine beforehand if it would actually be effective. We seriously considered whether to invest the 1000€ in the NCBox.
So far, I would say it has been worth it. Sure, with an air conditioner you could probably keep the house at a steady 22°C (72°F), but what does that cost to buy and operate? And whether that is healthy is another matter entirely...
But there is definitely a big difference between 25°C (77°F) and 27°C (81°F) inside the house. It doesn’t sound like much, but the quality of life is much better...
By shading, do you mean roller shutters? I think almost everyone who builds new has those nowadays, and down in summer as well. Of course, that helps a lot, but eventually every house heats up when it’s over 30°C (86°F) outside constantly. Our neighbors keep their roller shutters down all day and even have a large tree so their house is in shade from midday onward, but it’s still warmer there...
So far, I would say it has been worth it. Sure, with an air conditioner you could probably keep the house at a steady 22°C (72°F), but what does that cost to buy and operate? And whether that is healthy is another matter entirely...
But there is definitely a big difference between 25°C (77°F) and 27°C (81°F) inside the house. It doesn’t sound like much, but the quality of life is much better...
By shading, do you mean roller shutters? I think almost everyone who builds new has those nowadays, and down in summer as well. Of course, that helps a lot, but eventually every house heats up when it’s over 30°C (86°F) outside constantly. Our neighbors keep their roller shutters down all day and even have a large tree so their house is in shade from midday onward, but it’s still warmer there...
hausnrplus2521 Aug 2020 18:12Stadtvilla19 schrieb:
Well, a lot is promised, but we really couldn't imagine if it would actually work beforehand. We seriously considered whether to invest the €1000 (about $1100) in the NCBox.Do you or anyone else know if it can be retrofitted, how complicated the installation is, or if any preparation is needed?
Does KfW cause any issues with the cooling module for the heat pump?
S
Stadtvilla1921 Aug 2020 19:20It is possible to retrofit, but it becomes more expensive. Waterkotte and Viessmann were the only ones to have integrated this feature into the heat pump. We ordered a Viessmann heat pump with integrated cooling in 2018 for an additional 1000€ (about 1000 euros). However, Viessmann no longer offers this option.
We received the Viessmann NC Box at the same price because we had already signed the contract back then. Normally, it costs around 2500€ (about 2500 euros) plus additional labor since piping needs to be installed and the system has to be fitted. Initially, we planned to retrofit, but our technical company advised that it’s better to include it for 1000€ (about 1000 euros) right away than to pay 3000€ (about 3000 euros) later for retrofitting. With Viessmann, this is no longer possible, but anyone considering a Waterkotte system should include it from the start.
According to what I know, retrofitting is generally trouble-free. I’m not familiar with KfW [ ].
We received the Viessmann NC Box at the same price because we had already signed the contract back then. Normally, it costs around 2500€ (about 2500 euros) plus additional labor since piping needs to be installed and the system has to be fitted. Initially, we planned to retrofit, but our technical company advised that it’s better to include it for 1000€ (about 1000 euros) right away than to pay 3000€ (about 3000 euros) later for retrofitting. With Viessmann, this is no longer possible, but anyone considering a Waterkotte system should include it from the start.
According to what I know, retrofitting is generally trouble-free. I’m not familiar with KfW [ ].
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