ᐅ New Single-Family Home Construction Without a Basement – Essential Tips and Recommendations
Created on: 11 Jun 2019 11:58
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franklin20
Hello everyone,
we are planning to build a single-family house and are becoming increasingly unsure about what is necessary and what should ideally be implemented.
We want to build a single-family house without a basement, so the living area should be around 140m² (1506 sq ft), as a study room will also be set up on the ground floor. We are interested in a brine-to-water geothermal heat pump system. Additionally, we want a ventilation system, a rainwater collection tank, and photovoltaic panels for electricity.
However, every supplier says something different.
Therefore, my questions:
Prefab/solid construction? Solid construction offers better sound insulation and a higher-quality house.
Which heating system? Geothermal? Air-source heat pump? Important here is also the electricity cost. We want low running costs.
Is a ventilation system necessary? Central/decentralized? Is ventilating through windows sufficient?
Photovoltaic panels? Is it worth it? Probably only with storage?
If you have questions or need more information, please ask. If this belongs in a different subforum, feel free to move it.
If there is already a thread with tips for new builds, please link it and I will check it out.
we are planning to build a single-family house and are becoming increasingly unsure about what is necessary and what should ideally be implemented.
We want to build a single-family house without a basement, so the living area should be around 140m² (1506 sq ft), as a study room will also be set up on the ground floor. We are interested in a brine-to-water geothermal heat pump system. Additionally, we want a ventilation system, a rainwater collection tank, and photovoltaic panels for electricity.
However, every supplier says something different.
Therefore, my questions:
Prefab/solid construction? Solid construction offers better sound insulation and a higher-quality house.
Which heating system? Geothermal? Air-source heat pump? Important here is also the electricity cost. We want low running costs.
Is a ventilation system necessary? Central/decentralized? Is ventilating through windows sufficient?
Photovoltaic panels? Is it worth it? Probably only with storage?
If you have questions or need more information, please ask. If this belongs in a different subforum, feel free to move it.
If there is already a thread with tips for new builds, please link it and I will check it out.
It also depends on the type of house you are building and the level of insulation you achieve. If you are aiming for KfW40, you should consider going for KfW40+, as the photovoltaic storage system might already be covered by the higher repayment subsidy and could then be worthwhile. With a timber frame house, you are often already close to KfW40. Trying to strictly achieve this standard is usually not very cost-effective.
I would definitely install a central ventilation system, even though it will never pay for itself through heating cost savings.
I would definitely install a central ventilation system, even though it will never pay for itself through heating cost savings.
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franklin2011 Jun 2019 15:16Thank you for the opinions and tips so far.
What is the electricity consumption of a central ventilation system? Is it within a “normal” range, or do these systems use a lot of electricity?
What is the electricity consumption of a central ventilation system? Is it within a “normal” range, or do these systems use a lot of electricity?
The savings depend on your usage habits and the heating system.
However, a reduction of about 15 to 20 kWh/(m² a) (per square meter per year) in heating demand is possible.
A typical power consumption for a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system in a single-family house is 50 to 70 watts. Multiply this by your electricity rates and usage times (in summer, you can still ventilate normally by opening windows briefly or tilting them if you wish). So, the electricity consumption will be around 200 to 400 kWh.
Then compare this to how much your thermal kWh costs based on your floor area. Oh, and the filters will add about 100 euros in additional costs.
In the end, it’s a matter of comfort—electric shutters are also a luxury and usually do not pay off economically. However, they are very convenient since you no longer have to raise and lower the shutters twice a day manually, and they can easily cost a four-digit sum.
However, a reduction of about 15 to 20 kWh/(m² a) (per square meter per year) in heating demand is possible.
A typical power consumption for a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system in a single-family house is 50 to 70 watts. Multiply this by your electricity rates and usage times (in summer, you can still ventilate normally by opening windows briefly or tilting them if you wish). So, the electricity consumption will be around 200 to 400 kWh.
Then compare this to how much your thermal kWh costs based on your floor area. Oh, and the filters will add about 100 euros in additional costs.
In the end, it’s a matter of comfort—electric shutters are also a luxury and usually do not pay off economically. However, they are very convenient since you no longer have to raise and lower the shutters twice a day manually, and they can easily cost a four-digit sum.
You have basically listed all the content of the forum with your questions.
It is probably more useful to browse the relevant subforums for current discussions and simply read through them. Then, if needed, ask a specific question on the topic there.
With this
So, just take a look around the forum.
franklin20 schrieb:
If there is already a topic with tips on new construction, please just link it and I will take a look.
It is probably more useful to browse the relevant subforums for current discussions and simply read through them. Then, if needed, ask a specific question on the topic there.
With this
franklin20 schrieb:I would start: Every home supplier/general contractor/building contractor wants to sell their preferred option. They have well-functioning model houses—with one technology or another. As a client, you need to be somewhat independent and convinced beyond what they tell you.
But every home builder/provider says something different.
So, just take a look around the forum.
H
hampshire11 Jun 2019 16:21Grobmutant schrieb:
Exactly. Mainly, feeding energy back into the grid (currently) brings the profit. Self-consumption is then the additional bonus. A high rate of self-consumption would be ideal, but it is not always feasible since most people are not at home during the day when the sun is shining and therefore cannot use the generated electricity.Feeding energy into the grid yields around 10.x cents/kWh. Self-consumption saves more than 27 cents/kWh. Self-consumption is more profitable than feeding energy into the grid. The share of self-consumption can be increased with a battery storage system. The number of charge cycles and the price of the storage dictate the payback period. The battery is not only active at night but also during times when the photovoltaic system does not cover the energy demand—for example, in the morning. It is necessary to consider personal daily routines before generally claiming that storage systems are not worthwhile.H
hampshire11 Jun 2019 16:34franklin20 schrieb:
Prefab or solid construction? Solid offers better sound insulation and a higher-quality home.
Which heating system? Geothermal? Air-source heat pump? It’s important to consider the electricity costs as well. We want low running costs.
Is a ventilation system necessary? Centralized or decentralized? Is ventilating through windows sufficient?
Photovoltaics? Is it worthwhile? Probably only with a battery storage system? Sound insulation can be achieved with any construction method if it is a priority.
Heating recommendation: avoid fossil fuels – the technology is available and affordable enough to take some responsibility.
Low running costs may require upfront investments – you need to calculate or simply be willing to invest in long-term peace of mind.
Ventilation system – I’m not a fan of living in a (warning: major exaggeration!) “technically over-engineered, constantly ventilated, air-conditioned plastic box.” Opening a window occasionally still seems practical to me.
Regarding photovoltaics and storage, you will hear all kinds of opinions here, some quite dogmatic. We did not see the photovoltaic system simply as a profit center, but as an integral part of the house that either adds overall value or not.
Think of your home primarily not as a building with technology, but as a container for your life. What is important to you? How do you like to live? What defines your life? Thinking from the inside out is a good approach, especially when starting from scratch. With these thoughts, you approach providers and architects. Those who understand can continue working with you. Those who don’t will not be able to help you.
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