ᐅ New Single-Family Home Built to KfW55 Standard – Which Heating System to Choose?
Created on: 19 Jul 2020 12:19
T
Traube348
Hello everyone,
I have read many articles and would now like to benefit from the extensive knowledge of the members here.
A brief overview of my building project:
- Single-family house with approximately 160sqm (1,722 sq ft) of living space
- No basement, 2 full floors with an unfinished attic
- Relatively large window areas and an open-plan design with a staircase in the living area
- Underfloor heating throughout the house with tile flooring
- KfW 55 standard with timber frame construction
- A wood-burning stove will be installed
Unfortunately, I have little experience in this area and rely on recommendations from others regarding heating.
On the ground floor, we have a utility room of 8sqm (86 sq ft) where we would like to accommodate all the technical equipment.
The builder recommends installing a central ventilation system, which we would like to do.
Now to my question:
There is a gas connection in our building area, and a friend told me we should definitely heat with a gas boiler. To meet the KfW standard, according to the energy consultant, we still need to install 9sqm (97 sq ft) of solar panels on the roof.
A heating engineer friend advises: choose an air-to-water heat pump – split system Weishaupt LS 8-BREK – so you can avoid the solar requirement.
I have requested quotes for both options from different heating engineers, and they come out roughly the same in price.
Since I have heard many statements opposing air-to-water heat pumps, I tend to prefer gas.
However, the main challenge is the limited space in the utility room. In addition to the heating system, the two-flue fireplace, and the ventilation system, the electrical control cabinet as well as the washing machine and dryer are also planned to be located there.
Is there anyone who has faced a similar space issue?
What would you recommend?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
I have read many articles and would now like to benefit from the extensive knowledge of the members here.
A brief overview of my building project:
- Single-family house with approximately 160sqm (1,722 sq ft) of living space
- No basement, 2 full floors with an unfinished attic
- Relatively large window areas and an open-plan design with a staircase in the living area
- Underfloor heating throughout the house with tile flooring
- KfW 55 standard with timber frame construction
- A wood-burning stove will be installed
Unfortunately, I have little experience in this area and rely on recommendations from others regarding heating.
On the ground floor, we have a utility room of 8sqm (86 sq ft) where we would like to accommodate all the technical equipment.
The builder recommends installing a central ventilation system, which we would like to do.
Now to my question:
There is a gas connection in our building area, and a friend told me we should definitely heat with a gas boiler. To meet the KfW standard, according to the energy consultant, we still need to install 9sqm (97 sq ft) of solar panels on the roof.
A heating engineer friend advises: choose an air-to-water heat pump – split system Weishaupt LS 8-BREK – so you can avoid the solar requirement.
I have requested quotes for both options from different heating engineers, and they come out roughly the same in price.
Since I have heard many statements opposing air-to-water heat pumps, I tend to prefer gas.
However, the main challenge is the limited space in the utility room. In addition to the heating system, the two-flue fireplace, and the ventilation system, the electrical control cabinet as well as the washing machine and dryer are also planned to be located there.
Is there anyone who has faced a similar space issue?
What would you recommend?
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Scout schrieb:
The heat pump mainly consumes electricity during the winter months when your photovoltaic system hardly generates any power (it mainly produces from April to September). So you can forget about that idea. A photovoltaic system primarily brings in money (from non-photovoltaic owners into your pocket), but not self-sufficiency.
Of course, you could oversize your photovoltaic system significantly and install a large buffer tank in the basement, but then you waste part of the electricity because a minimum self-consumption must be used and is not reimbursed. Economically, that is rather unviable.
If you want true self-sufficiency, you should get a wood log or pellet stove. Or, if you happen to have a livestock operation next to your single-family home, a biogas system would also be an option. Since the feed-in tariff is currently very low, I’m wondering whether to install a photovoltaic system directly on the roof at all, or just lay the pipes for it for now.
I also see it that way—without a large storage system, I probably won’t achieve much self-sufficiency...
Have pipes installed.
True self-sufficiency can only be achieved with a yearly storage system. Assuming a consistent consumption (best case, but rather unrealistic with a heat pump), you should have stored about 40% of your annual consumption by autumn. Then it will work even without a grid connection!
True self-sufficiency can only be achieved with a yearly storage system. Assuming a consistent consumption (best case, but rather unrealistic with a heat pump), you should have stored about 40% of your annual consumption by autumn. Then it will work even without a grid connection!
If you are technically inclined and enjoy working on heating systems, then a heat pump is a good choice.
If the system should only provide heating and you don’t want to adjust it again yourself, then gas is the better option.
A backup solar thermal system can provide hot water almost free for about three-quarters of the year. It can also be used to fill or heat a pool if needed. With a heat pump, every liter costs.
The listed equipment, including a 300L (79 gallon) storage tank, fits into a 4-5 m² (43-54 sq ft) utility room—tight but possible, provided you comply with your local distribution box (DB) and regulations. With your 8 m² (86 sq ft), you are well within the limits.
If the system should only provide heating and you don’t want to adjust it again yourself, then gas is the better option.
A backup solar thermal system can provide hot water almost free for about three-quarters of the year. It can also be used to fill or heat a pool if needed. With a heat pump, every liter costs.
The listed equipment, including a 300L (79 gallon) storage tank, fits into a 4-5 m² (43-54 sq ft) utility room—tight but possible, provided you comply with your local distribution box (DB) and regulations. With your 8 m² (86 sq ft), you are well within the limits.
Hello,
Regarding your concern about the small utility room and the potential to save space. This was also a point that concerned us, since all the technical equipment quickly takes up about 5 square meters (54 square feet). We have now installed the system in the attic, so the utility room can be used solely as a utility room and not as a technical room. We are very satisfied with this and would choose the same solution again. However, it is necessary to have a concrete ceiling for this. Since you plan to build a two-story house, this will likely be the case.
Regarding your concern about the small utility room and the potential to save space. This was also a point that concerned us, since all the technical equipment quickly takes up about 5 square meters (54 square feet). We have now installed the system in the attic, so the utility room can be used solely as a utility room and not as a technical room. We are very satisfied with this and would choose the same solution again. However, it is necessary to have a concrete ceiling for this. Since you plan to build a two-story house, this will likely be the case.
Scout schrieb:
The heat pump mainly requires electricity during the winter months when your photovoltaic system hardly produces any power (it primarily generates from April to September). So you should forget about that idea.Are there no providers who offer feeding-in as a credit account?T
T_im_Norden20 Jul 2020 12:24It exists, but only the providers really benefit, and you end up paying more.
Photovoltaic systems are initially cost-effective due to subsidies, as the system usually pays for itself after 10 to 15 years.
Energy self-sufficiency is a more complex issue.
Photovoltaic systems are initially cost-effective due to subsidies, as the system usually pays for itself after 10 to 15 years.
Energy self-sufficiency is a more complex issue.
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