ᐅ Single-family house, 140 m², KfW Efficiency House 55 achievable through insulation and air-to-water heat pump?

Hello,
we have entrusted a general contractor with our construction project who will build our home to the KfW 55 standard.
He plans to achieve this by installing an air-to-water heat pump and insulation.
According to him, there is no need for solar collectors or anything similar on the roof.
Is it really that "simple" to build to the KfW 55 standard?

SamSamSam schrieb:

Hello,
we entrusted our construction project to a general contractor who will build our home to KfW55 standard.
He plans to achieve this by installing an air-to-water heat pump and insulation.
According to him, solar collectors on the roof or something similar are not necessary for this.
Is it really that "simple" to build to KfW 55?

That should be possible. We are installing a ground-to-water heat pump, a ventilation system, 13 kWp photovoltaic system, and are also only at KfW55 because we are building monolithically (144 m² (1550 sq ft) bungalow).

Acof1978 schrieb:

That should work. We are getting a brine-to-water heat pump, a ventilation system, 13 kWp photovoltaic panels, and we’re only aiming for KfW55 because we are building monolithically (144 m² (1,550 sq ft) bungalow).

Ok... but we’re not planning to include a ventilation system or photovoltaic panels. I don’t really know much about that!
There are probably different ways to meet the KfW55 standard... are there any advantages or disadvantages compared to other options?

SamSamSam schrieb:

Is it really that "simple" to build KfW 55?

Yes, it is. You can justify a lot of things.

SamSamSam schrieb:

Are there advantages and disadvantages compared to other options?

KfW 55 is KfW 55. Of course, every technique or option has its pros and cons. But it depends on what you want—for example, whether to include a ventilation system or not (I personally would never want to do without one in a new build) and what you are willing or able to pay.

SamSamSam schrieb:

We have entrusted a general contractor to build our home to KfW 55 standard.

In the end, the general contractor is responsible for guaranteeing the KfW 55 standard (this should also be specified in the contract). If only the result matters to you, this approach works. However, if the process matters to you as well, you should think about it carefully and gain some experience to be able to clearly communicate your expectations to the general contractor.

SamSamSam schrieb:

ok... We don’t have a ventilation system or photovoltaic panels planned either. I have no idea about those!
There are probably different ways to meet the KfW55 standard... are there advantages and disadvantages compared to other options?

Read up on ventilation systems here in the forum. I was very skeptical at first but eventually decided to go with one. Photovoltaic panels seem to be the only home investment that pays for itself 🙂

Even if you have entrusted your construction project to a general contractor, make sure to get involved in the design of the air-to-water heat pump yourself to ultimately achieve an efficient heating system.