ᐅ Buying a New Single-Family Home: Is the Energy Efficiency Standard Currently Required by Building Codes Likely to Be Adequate in the Future?
Created on: 3 Mar 2021 10:22
A
Atilla08
Hello everyone,
I have recently become a member of this forum and have mainly been reading quietly and gathering information so far. My research on the above-mentioned topic has not yielded satisfactory results, which is why I am now starting my first thread.
We are a family of four and are in the process of purchasing a detached house with about 165m2 (1,775 sq ft) of living space and a large plot of land in the Hamburg area or its surroundings. This is a new build project being carried out by Bonava.
To keep it brief: Bonava only builds according to the Energy Saving Ordinance standard. The energy is supplied via district heating. There is no possibility to improve the efficiency. A few weeks ago, I inquired whether the standard double-glazed windows could be replaced with triple-glazed ones, and this was later confirmed as possible. So, an upgrade would have been available for a small additional cost.
However, two days ago, I received a call stating this would no longer be possible because some neighbors had previously asked the same question and were denied (for reasons unknown). They now want to apply the same rules to all buyers, even though I was promised otherwise.
I am upset about this and am now considering abandoning the whole project because I feel like I am buying a house with outdated technology. Although it is only the windows, in my understanding, they already make a significant difference.
According to the preliminary energy certificate, the energy demand is 82.3 kWh/(m2 x a) which falls in category C, and the primary energy demand is 51.0 kWh/(m2 x a), which is category A.
Since I am a complete novice, I would really like to hear the opinions of experienced people. I am truly only interested in finding out whether I am getting a solid house or an energy guzzler. Please forgive me if I am posting in the wrong section.
I hope to receive well-informed, helpful, and meaningful feedback.
Best regards
Atilla
I have recently become a member of this forum and have mainly been reading quietly and gathering information so far. My research on the above-mentioned topic has not yielded satisfactory results, which is why I am now starting my first thread.
We are a family of four and are in the process of purchasing a detached house with about 165m2 (1,775 sq ft) of living space and a large plot of land in the Hamburg area or its surroundings. This is a new build project being carried out by Bonava.
To keep it brief: Bonava only builds according to the Energy Saving Ordinance standard. The energy is supplied via district heating. There is no possibility to improve the efficiency. A few weeks ago, I inquired whether the standard double-glazed windows could be replaced with triple-glazed ones, and this was later confirmed as possible. So, an upgrade would have been available for a small additional cost.
However, two days ago, I received a call stating this would no longer be possible because some neighbors had previously asked the same question and were denied (for reasons unknown). They now want to apply the same rules to all buyers, even though I was promised otherwise.
I am upset about this and am now considering abandoning the whole project because I feel like I am buying a house with outdated technology. Although it is only the windows, in my understanding, they already make a significant difference.
According to the preliminary energy certificate, the energy demand is 82.3 kWh/(m2 x a) which falls in category C, and the primary energy demand is 51.0 kWh/(m2 x a), which is category A.
Since I am a complete novice, I would really like to hear the opinions of experienced people. I am truly only interested in finding out whether I am getting a solid house or an energy guzzler. Please forgive me if I am posting in the wrong section.
I hope to receive well-informed, helpful, and meaningful feedback.
Best regards
Atilla
I build strictly according to the Energy Saving Ordinance (though my planned values actually exceed its requirements) and live in a condominium built five years ago to the KfW 70 standard (which also complies with the current Energy Saving Ordinance). Even during this winter, which was reasonably cold after a long time, we only used the heating in one bathroom. I don’t have access to the utility bill at the moment, but even with expensive district heating and three occupants, our costs are about the same as what I paid alone in an older apartment with less than two-thirds of the area and individual gas heating.
Financial support can change this situation substantially, but that is currently evolving, so I can’t comment on the latest status since I am already building and haven’t followed it further.
Financial support can change this situation substantially, but that is currently evolving, so I can’t comment on the latest status since I am already building and haven’t followed it further.
Atilla08 schrieb:
Exactly!My grandparents lived in Geesthacht. It wasn’t very attractive back then, more of a working-class town, but it has improved significantly over the last decade. With its proximity to Hamburg and its location on the Elbe, it’s a lovely area 🙂
P
pagoni20203 Mar 2021 11:42nordanney schrieb:
Apart from that, the energy consumption mainly depends on the user, not the house.That is the key point that is often overlooked here. You can drive a car that uses 0.4 liters less fuel, but then often drive many unnecessary kilometers.
Many of the extensively documented calculation values you read here are often driven by our playful or competitive instincts and tend to be a male playground.
If you replace the windows, you could continue optimizing shading quality, insulation, roof, heating, and so on — there is always room for improvement.
I would rather focus on making sure the company does the job properly and reliably; that would be my most important point!!!
I’m often surprised when I read statements like "I’m building a KfW xy house." There are technically and politically defined parameters that are not necessarily ecological or economically sensible. Free yourself from the race for ratings and subsidies, and ensure your comfort in other ways. This comes from someone who has always been content living in a typical house from the 1990s and now happens to be building a KfW house. In the end, it doesn’t matter in terms of well-being, and that alone is what should count.
A nice area close to Hamburg and the Elbe region We think the same. Currently, we live in a newly built apartment near the city park in Hamburg-Winterhude, but renting an apartment is not the same as having your own home with a beautiful garden 🙂
@pagoni2020
That’s exactly what we’re trying to do as well. It’s really difficult not to be misled or tempted by all the buying arguments and supposed advantages.
We find your comments really helpful!!! Thanks again at this point.
Double or triple glazing doesn’t matter much; the window as a component has a U-value, and that suits your house.
I suspect the energy consumption figures for the houses were calculated once assuming a shady north-facing location and are relatively high because defects are only reported when consumption is doubled, not when it is half.
If your house faces south, the sun helps with heating, both in winter and summer.
Move in first, get to know the house, and then in 5, 10, or 20 years you can renovate or make changes.
It might be that you spend 20,000€ on renovations to save 50€ a year, which wouldn’t make much sense.
I suspect the energy consumption figures for the houses were calculated once assuming a shady north-facing location and are relatively high because defects are only reported when consumption is doubled, not when it is half.
If your house faces south, the sun helps with heating, both in winter and summer.
Move in first, get to know the house, and then in 5, 10, or 20 years you can renovate or make changes.
It might be that you spend 20,000€ on renovations to save 50€ a year, which wouldn’t make much sense.
@Atilla08
Will Benova be acting as the developer in this case?
If you have any other questions about building or buying a house, feel free to ask. Just make sure to post them in the appropriate subforum 🙂
Is this going to be a Frisian-style house? I browsed through the plans: the toilet and shower should be swapped. Otherwise, it’s a common layout that should work well. Neighbors have this design as a semi-detached house, probably a bit narrower for sure.
Will Benova be acting as the developer in this case?
If you have any other questions about building or buying a house, feel free to ask. Just make sure to post them in the appropriate subforum 🙂
Is this going to be a Frisian-style house? I browsed through the plans: the toilet and shower should be swapped. Otherwise, it’s a common layout that should work well. Neighbors have this design as a semi-detached house, probably a bit narrower for sure.
Similar topics