ᐅ Old gas heating system broken – need a new one, but what kind?
Created on: 11 Feb 2020 07:34
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Nissandriver
Good morning,
we bought a house that was built in 1936 and renovated in 2013.
Last year we viewed it and decided to buy it. Considering that the heating system dates back to 1997, we thought we would need to replace it “soon.”
House: approximately 145m² (1,560 sq ft) of living space, insulated roof, thick exterior walls. Double-glazed windows, chimney in the living room.
The chimney sweep wanted to shut it down two weeks ago because there was a strong smell of gas in the basement. Since we keep the windows open downstairs and have two small children, he decided against it. On his recommendation, we should get a new heating system because repairing the current one would be a waste of money.
We have now had four different heating companies inspect the house. The discussion came up (because I wanted to explore alternatives):
Since we currently have a 27kW (36 hp) instantaneous water heater in the basement for hot water, the question is whether that should be removed and the new heating system used to heat the water as well.
We are planning to install a 10 kWp photovoltaic system on the roof anyway.
I know this is a personal decision, but I would like to become a bit more independent from fossil fuels.
I hope you can help me a little!
Best regards
we bought a house that was built in 1936 and renovated in 2013.
Last year we viewed it and decided to buy it. Considering that the heating system dates back to 1997, we thought we would need to replace it “soon.”
House: approximately 145m² (1,560 sq ft) of living space, insulated roof, thick exterior walls. Double-glazed windows, chimney in the living room.
The chimney sweep wanted to shut it down two weeks ago because there was a strong smell of gas in the basement. Since we keep the windows open downstairs and have two small children, he decided against it. On his recommendation, we should get a new heating system because repairing the current one would be a waste of money.
We have now had four different heating companies inspect the house. The discussion came up (because I wanted to explore alternatives):
- Gas condensing boiler – a gas connection is available, it would be cheaper but is not subsidized (due to CO2 taxes, depending on gas prices).
- Pellet heating – mixed opinions – one expert said it wouldn’t work in the basement due to high humidity (another specialist said that’s nonsense) – higher initial costs – pellet prices are similar to gas prices and it is subsidized up to 35%.
- Log wood stove – high initial cost, needs to be refueled by hand regularly – no clear information on subsidies.
- Air-to-water heat pump – subsidized, the heating specialist took measurements of every single room including ceiling height to calculate the heat demand for the whole house and size the heat pump accordingly. He said he has good experience with it – but electricity prices will rise… it would also need a higher seasonal performance factor to be worthwhile.
Since we currently have a 27kW (36 hp) instantaneous water heater in the basement for hot water, the question is whether that should be removed and the new heating system used to heat the water as well.
We are planning to install a 10 kWp photovoltaic system on the roof anyway.
I know this is a personal decision, but I would like to become a bit more independent from fossil fuels.
I hope you can help me a little!
Best regards
N
Nissandriver11 Feb 2020 11:57Pinky0301 schrieb:
If you don’t have underfloor heating, a heat pump is probably not effective, as radiators require a higher flow temperature. I think the simplest solution for you would be a new gas heating system. Only the bathroom has underfloor heating, the rest is with radiators. I’m starting to suspect that too.
hampshire schrieb:
Now all you need is a gas detector. The CO detector is useful but does not measure flammable gases.
I’m not really a fan of gas boilers, but financially, completely replacing the whole system quickly seems risky. Just replace the gas boiler with a simple new unit. Okay, I’ll have to look into that. Many advertise CO detectors and gas detectors, but they apparently don’t detect gas…
Yes, financially that would be a disaster.
T_im_Norden schrieb:
Okay, the values correspond more to the expected consumption. Still too high.
T
T_im_Norden11 Feb 2020 12:03Roughly, the house has a heating demand of 17.3 kW.
The values are not too high but correspond to what is stated in the energy performance certificate.
You can calculate it yourself.
kW times usable floor area.
201 * 180 = 36,180 kW / 10 because of gas = 3,618 cm3 of gas per year
The values are not too high but correspond to what is stated in the energy performance certificate.
You can calculate it yourself.
kW times usable floor area.
201 * 180 = 36,180 kW / 10 because of gas = 3,618 cm3 of gas per year
N
Nissandriver11 Feb 2020 12:08T_im_Norden schrieb:
Roughly, your house has a heating load of 17.3 kWOk, thanks. Good to know! Another heating company will come next Tuesday...
T
T_im_Norden11 Feb 2020 12:17These are all values researched online by a layperson, so do not rely on them.
I am still unclear about the chimney sweep’s statement.
Does it smell like gas or exhaust?
Why did he want to shut it down, and why didn’t he follow through?
He is liable for any consequential damages if he allows a defective, dangerous heating system to remain in operation.
I am still unclear about the chimney sweep’s statement.
Does it smell like gas or exhaust?
Why did he want to shut it down, and why didn’t he follow through?
He is liable for any consequential damages if he allows a defective, dangerous heating system to remain in operation.
T_im_Norden schrieb:
Why did he want to shut it down, and why didn’t he do it then? Because the window is open after all, and there are children in the house.
Cool logic. Unbelievable.
But at least the consumption is not as dramatic as suggested before.
T_im_Norden schrieb:
Roughly, the heating load for the house is 17.3 kW.
The values are not too high; they correspond to what is stated on the energy performance certificate. You can calculate it yourself.
kW times usable floor area.
201 * 180 = 36,180 kW / 10 due to gas = 3,618 cm3 of gas per yearThe reason the values match is simply because this is not a calculated energy certificate but one based on consumption data. Unfortunately, these are only a rough guideline. If six people live in the house, heat everything to 24°C (75°F) constantly, and shower daily, the results will be very different than if an elderly person lived there who only heated the living room.
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