ᐅ New Single-Family Home Construction – Gas or Air Source Heat Pump + Photovoltaic System + Energy Storage?

Pinkiponk schrieb:

From my point of view, a good idea. Please keep us updated. I’m especially interested because we chose our plot partly based on the fact that no heat pumps were installed in the neighborhood.

Today we canceled the gas connection with the local utility and ordered the air-to-water heat pump.

Deliverer schrieb:

That’s not really the main issue. Either you comply with the required distances, or you don’t. How the neighbor feels about it doesn’t matter legally. I also feel disturbed by all the cars on the street. Apparently, (almost) all of them comply with the valid regulations, which are obviously far too lenient and far from what is technically possible for new vehicles. Can I have the street closed because of that?

That may be true, but good neighbors are very important to me. Our neighbor was not thrilled about the idea of an air-to-water heat pump. But he is a pragmatic and nice guy and said he can’t forbid us, and if it gets too noisy, he will just close the window.

But I hope it won’t be making much noise or vibration.

motorradsilke schrieb:

These units have become so quiet by now, you barely hear them. We just had one installed. We were advised not to place it near the bedroom, but it wouldn’t have been a disturbance at all. What bothers us more is the cold airflow coming out of it.

That sounds good! Last weekend, we walked through a new housing area in the neighboring town and listened to some heat pumps. Some were really quiet, but one air-to-water heat pump (running at full power) made quite a noise. But now we hope for the best—that our model will be reasonably quiet and that our neighbor will get used to it.

@french_fry good decision, congratulations! I hope you were able to negotiate the general contractor a bit regarding the high additional costs. Regarding noise, there might be an option later on to use "soundproofing plants" (e.g., thuja) if needed. Otherwise, when planning and installing, make sure to use a sufficiently sized foundation and ensure sound insulation for the outdoor unit.

I find it interesting again what is being discussed here. You can see there are two camps: gas or heat pump. Neither is strictly right or wrong.
You have to choose what is right for yourself. We were initially leaning toward gas as well. From an economic perspective, I see hardly any disadvantages there. However, we decided on a geothermal heat pump with deep drilling. Together with a ventilation system with heat recovery, underfloor heating, etc., we are building to KfW 55 EE standard. Ultimately, we want to be self-sufficient, do something positive for the environment, and avoid dealing with speculation regarding gas prices. Combined with a photovoltaic system, we feel well prepared for the future.
Someone asked here whether the KfW program is worthwhile. We say yes. We did not use the KfW loan but took the direct grant that was transferred straight to our account. This way, we deducted the amount from the loan sum and saved money each month. Together with the interest rate from IBSH, this is a cheaper combination than choosing the KfW loan program.

Pumpernickel1 schrieb:

...We are not taking the KfW funding, but the grant that is paid directly into our account. So we deduct this amount from the loan sum and save on monthly payments...

Given the current interest rates and the fact that my local bank also offered me a similar rate but fixed for 25 years, I would want to do exactly the same. BUT—and this is actually what my question is about—is it really worth it compared to the administrative effort? Because here, too, I hear mixed reports: some (especially banks, energy consultants, and companies) say it’s no problem, just one or two forms and it’s done. Others (friends and acquaintances who have already built) say never again, because their energy consultants gave them wrong information and the effort (especially during the intense construction phase) cost them time AND nerves that could easily have been saved.

I have to add another post right now because this is bothering me, and I keep thinking to myself, I’m not stupid.
This can’t be that complicated, others have managed it too. My energy consultant (EC) wrote me the following procedure again today, which I basically already knew....

1. Finalize the plan
2. EC checks whether KfW 55 EE is achieved and if so -> carries out an online confirmation from KfW
3. My decision whether to take a loan plus grant or only the grant (NEW) -> grant of €26,250 is paid out immediately
4. Register in the KfW program 461 on the KfW website -> online confirmation from KfW -> confirmation for the application (BZA) number is generated
5. Specialist contractors must perform key parts of the construction (foundation slab, shell construction, roof, windows, front door, screed, chimney) with invoices
6. Own work is not funded
7. Planning and structural engineering, bathroom fixtures, kitchen are not funded
8. When everything is finished, the EC comes again, inspects everything (whatever can still be seen), takes the receipts, checks them, and then
9. Finally, there is an online confirmation from KfW and a BnD number -> which is entered into the online portal.

Did I outline this correctly?
Or did I understand correctly that the actual amounts spent on each trade are NOT important, only that they were executed according to the requirements?
Let me exaggerate: If I build the shell for €100,000, the roof for €10,000, windows for €5,000, etc., and in the end only come to a construction sum of €300,000, is that okay too???
What matters is that...

1. Photovoltaic system + heat pump + 42cm (17 inches) thick masonry block + triple glazing are installed AND
2. All these trades + the building envelope/roof are properly carried out by companies with invoices.

Regards
Flo

Does no one want to say anything? That's a shame.