ᐅ Replacing an oil heating system—what are the alternatives?

Created on: 15 Sep 2018 18:19
L
LaPanther
Hello
We have just viewed a house that we would like to buy. It was built in 2000. However, the house has an oil heating system, which I would like to replace. My question is: which type of heating would you recommend? Gas could be an issue since there is a connection in the street but not at the house. What about pellets or a heat pump? Also, what costs should we expect for removing and disposing of the oil heating system, plus installing the new heating system?
We are also considering installing underfloor heating in all rooms. What would that roughly cost for about 120 sqm (1,300 sq ft)?
Thank you very much for your help
L
LaPanther
16 Sep 2018 12:05
Thank you all for your tips. First, I will try to get the seller to lower the price further. If that happens, I will probably buy the house. We originally planned to build, but land prices in Bavaria are too high.
O
Obstlerbaum
16 Sep 2018 13:19
There isn’t much room to negotiate on prices in Bavaria, at least in areas where land is expensive.

I would stick with the oil heating system; all other options have their drawbacks too. The small amount of government subsidies is quickly outweighed if you want to retrofit underfloor heating at least in the living areas (plus removing radiators), need to install a gas connection first, and then add solar thermal systems. The latter also has its own technical disadvantages. Pellets are nonsense anyway and are currently being pushed into the market mainly due to political reasons...
J
jan76
16 Sep 2018 14:07
I would also keep the oil burner if it is still functional. However, 1200 EUR/year is quite a lot for a 2000s house with that amount of square meters.
L
LaPanther
16 Sep 2018 16:29
They pay between 90 and 100 per month, that’s what was said.
D
dertill
16 Sep 2018 22:45
LaPanther schrieb:
They pay between 90 and 100 per month, that’s what was said

More interesting than what the tenants pay are the heating oil bills. You should ask about those. Otherwise, there should also be an energy performance certificate. It is at least mandatory to have one available during viewings (at least when an agent is involved). It lists the energy consumption for the past 36 months.

Speaking of tenants: if the property is still rented out and you want to use it yourself, definitely request to see the rental contracts (you have the right to do so). If access is denied, walk away! How long have the tenants been there? For owner-occupier termination notices, there are notice periods before tenants have to leave (from 3 months up to 12 months), depending on how long the tenancy has lasted. There are also special cases that can extend these deadlines. I don’t know all the details myself, so be sure to research this thoroughly.

When I said that insulation measures are not worthwhile, I didn’t mean because the building is too old (that’s not correct), but because it is too new! Windows, walls, and the roof have been built to standards since the 1995 heating regulations (WschVO 1995) that make replacement or additional insulation unnecessary if the elements are well maintained. It’s not quite comparable to new builds but without major weak points—just somewhat less thickly insulated than today’s standards.
L
LaPanther
16 Sep 2018 23:00
Hello, the tenants are moving out this month. The energy performance certificate shows E159.8 kWh with a required value of 70.6.