Hi!
I’ve already spent some time on the “Pink Forum” (as it’s affectionately called). However, there you quickly encounter knowledgeable salespeople and/or people who tend to discourage you about building a house in general. This forum feels more welcoming, and you’re more likely to exchange experiences with people who have gone through the same situation as we are now—or who are currently in that situation too—the agony of choice. No intention to criticize the other forum overall…
We are currently in the situation where the developer plans to install an air-to-water heat pump in our house. Oh yes, about our house:
Semi-detached, KFW70 standard, 145m² (1560 sq ft) plus basement, currently 2 occupants, future maximum 4 occupants, heating needed: around 6 kW (detailed heating load calculation not yet available)
The developer’s credit amounts to 7,000 EUR plus a possible BAFA subsidy of 4,500 EUR, making a total of 11,500 EUR. An offer for drilling is already available at 6,300 EUR including VAT.
We are now trying to decide on the “right” ground source heat pump. Not an easy task, because opinions on various configurations (product, buffer tank, energy recovery unit, etc.) differ greatly—and everyone claims this is the right way.
Currently, these are our options:
- Tecalor TTF07 – 300l (79 gallons) domestic hot water tank, 200l (53 gallons) buffer tank
- Wolf BWS-1-06-I – 300l (79 gallons) domestic hot water tank, 500l (132 gallons) buffer tank
- Weishaupt (exact model to be confirmed tomorrow) – 300l (79 gallons) domestic hot water tank, no buffer tank (-> underfloor heating)
- Junkers SUPRAECO STM 60-1 Compact or STE 60-1 + water storage tank
Unfortunately, we don’t have much time left to decide; the developer is already putting some pressure on us. I expect a decision to be made by the end of next week.
Best regards & thanks for your effort!
Gatho
I’ve already spent some time on the “Pink Forum” (as it’s affectionately called). However, there you quickly encounter knowledgeable salespeople and/or people who tend to discourage you about building a house in general. This forum feels more welcoming, and you’re more likely to exchange experiences with people who have gone through the same situation as we are now—or who are currently in that situation too—the agony of choice. No intention to criticize the other forum overall…
We are currently in the situation where the developer plans to install an air-to-water heat pump in our house. Oh yes, about our house:
Semi-detached, KFW70 standard, 145m² (1560 sq ft) plus basement, currently 2 occupants, future maximum 4 occupants, heating needed: around 6 kW (detailed heating load calculation not yet available)
The developer’s credit amounts to 7,000 EUR plus a possible BAFA subsidy of 4,500 EUR, making a total of 11,500 EUR. An offer for drilling is already available at 6,300 EUR including VAT.
We are now trying to decide on the “right” ground source heat pump. Not an easy task, because opinions on various configurations (product, buffer tank, energy recovery unit, etc.) differ greatly—and everyone claims this is the right way.
Currently, these are our options:
- Tecalor TTF07 – 300l (79 gallons) domestic hot water tank, 200l (53 gallons) buffer tank
- Wolf BWS-1-06-I – 300l (79 gallons) domestic hot water tank, 500l (132 gallons) buffer tank
- Weishaupt (exact model to be confirmed tomorrow) – 300l (79 gallons) domestic hot water tank, no buffer tank (-> underfloor heating)
- Junkers SUPRAECO STM 60-1 Compact or STE 60-1 + water storage tank
Unfortunately, we don’t have much time left to decide; the developer is already putting some pressure on us. I expect a decision to be made by the end of next week.
Best regards & thanks for your effort!
Gatho
In general, you should avoid installing a buffer tank for the heating circuit when using underfloor heating. This topic has been discussed here and in other forums multiple times, usually with clear consensus. For domestic hot water, 300 liters (79 gallons) should be sufficient.
I cannot provide specific information about the equipment. What does the heating engineer who will install the unit recommend? They should be familiar with the device. Usually, everyone has their preferred models.
I cannot provide specific information about the equipment. What does the heating engineer who will install the unit recommend? They should be familiar with the device. Usually, everyone has their preferred models.
Good morning,
it’s really unbelievable how different the opinions are among heating installers. Some only use buffer tanks, but one person mentioned that underfloor heating should actually be considered as a buffer itself and that an additional buffer tank is not necessary. Could someone briefly explain why buffer tanks are “poison” for a heat pump system and why many heating installers still insist on installing them (other than financial reasons)?
@Jochen104
Exactly, everyone has their favorites – but which ones are actually recommended?
Yesterday we also met with someone who is very focused on gas condensing technology. The investment costs there would be around 6,500–7,500 EUR (including installation, chimney, heating system), and with the subsidy for the air-to-water heat pump there wouldn’t be any additional cost. I’m not completely opposed to that. The 5,000–6,000 EUR extra cost for a ground-source heat pump has to pay off compared to gas condensing technology first.
Good luck
Gatho
it’s really unbelievable how different the opinions are among heating installers. Some only use buffer tanks, but one person mentioned that underfloor heating should actually be considered as a buffer itself and that an additional buffer tank is not necessary. Could someone briefly explain why buffer tanks are “poison” for a heat pump system and why many heating installers still insist on installing them (other than financial reasons)?
@Jochen104
Exactly, everyone has their favorites – but which ones are actually recommended?
Yesterday we also met with someone who is very focused on gas condensing technology. The investment costs there would be around 6,500–7,500 EUR (including installation, chimney, heating system), and with the subsidy for the air-to-water heat pump there wouldn’t be any additional cost. I’m not completely opposed to that. The 5,000–6,000 EUR extra cost for a ground-source heat pump has to pay off compared to gas condensing technology first.
Good luck
Gatho
Exactly, the underfloor heating already provides enough buffer. Why would you want to heat an additional buffer tank? What advantage do you expect from that?
Are you completely free to choose your heating installer? Those who want to install an extra buffer (for the underfloor heating) would be out of consideration for me. Otherwise, let the heating installer install what they are most familiar with. You can assess the efficiency of the heating system, among other things, by looking at the values in the Bafa table.
For the gas heating system, you also have to consider the gas connection or the tank. Has this been taken into account? If the price is the same, you might as well stick with the air-to-water heat pump.
Are you completely free to choose your heating installer? Those who want to install an extra buffer (for the underfloor heating) would be out of consideration for me. Otherwise, let the heating installer install what they are most familiar with. You can assess the efficiency of the heating system, among other things, by looking at the values in the Bafa table.
For the gas heating system, you also have to consider the gas connection or the tank. Has this been taken into account? If the price is the same, you might as well stick with the air-to-water heat pump.
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