Hello everyone,
We are building a prefab house (urban villa passive house KfW 40 Plus including photovoltaic system, nearly 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) with a fireplace and hip roof with a 25° (25 degrees) roof pitch).
We submitted the building notification without a basement for cost reasons (according to the manufacturer, a basement including the shell costs about 60,000 Euros, and based on our bad experiences with basements in rental apartments).
For the past two weeks, I can’t stop thinking that this might be a mistake. Where will we go if we want to host a party? Where do we put the hobby room, winter clothes, flea market boxes, fitness equipment, souvenirs from our vacations, my decorations, and many other things? What if we want to add a sauna later?
Unfortunately, the rooms upstairs are already fully utilized. We had the idea of a guest house in the garden that could also serve as a hobby room and storage space. But our architect told us that this would probably not be approved. We are only allowed to build 30 m³ (1,059 cubic feet). A conservatory would be too small and also quite expensive, according to our research.
I would appreciate any experience reports or advice. I’m afraid we will really regret this and that I won’t be happy.
Furthermore, we were strongly recommended the Proxon air-to-air heat pump system, sold by Proxon (Zimmermann ventilation). However, during the cold days, I am very concerned that the floor (we have tiles downstairs and laminate upstairs) will be too cold, especially for our baby. We were told that with modern underfloor heating, people don’t really feel the cold anymore. We are uncertain which type of heating is right for us.
One more thing: we have a garage with space for one car and a small storage room. Unfortunately, the plot does not allow for anything bigger. I’m also not sure if it would have been better to include a door from the garage into the house; we only just started to see this might be really necessary.
I always feel like I forgot something important in the house planning that I might later regret, and as a result, I lie awake at night. I just can’t switch off.
We are building a prefab house (urban villa passive house KfW 40 Plus including photovoltaic system, nearly 160 sqm (1,722 sq ft) with a fireplace and hip roof with a 25° (25 degrees) roof pitch).
We submitted the building notification without a basement for cost reasons (according to the manufacturer, a basement including the shell costs about 60,000 Euros, and based on our bad experiences with basements in rental apartments).
For the past two weeks, I can’t stop thinking that this might be a mistake. Where will we go if we want to host a party? Where do we put the hobby room, winter clothes, flea market boxes, fitness equipment, souvenirs from our vacations, my decorations, and many other things? What if we want to add a sauna later?
Unfortunately, the rooms upstairs are already fully utilized. We had the idea of a guest house in the garden that could also serve as a hobby room and storage space. But our architect told us that this would probably not be approved. We are only allowed to build 30 m³ (1,059 cubic feet). A conservatory would be too small and also quite expensive, according to our research.
I would appreciate any experience reports or advice. I’m afraid we will really regret this and that I won’t be happy.
Furthermore, we were strongly recommended the Proxon air-to-air heat pump system, sold by Proxon (Zimmermann ventilation). However, during the cold days, I am very concerned that the floor (we have tiles downstairs and laminate upstairs) will be too cold, especially for our baby. We were told that with modern underfloor heating, people don’t really feel the cold anymore. We are uncertain which type of heating is right for us.
One more thing: we have a garage with space for one car and a small storage room. Unfortunately, the plot does not allow for anything bigger. I’m also not sure if it would have been better to include a door from the garage into the house; we only just started to see this might be really necessary.
I always feel like I forgot something important in the house planning that I might later regret, and as a result, I lie awake at night. I just can’t switch off.
M
Mygstylzz10 Jan 2017 11:10Mycraft schrieb:
The problem is the location... or is the house in Spain? Because air-to-air systems work great there, but in our climate you have to consider... because in winter, air-to-air basically means you’re heating directly with electricity We were assured that this is compensated by the photovoltaic system and that electricity is only used on very cold days.
B
Bieber081510 Jan 2017 11:21Mygstylzz schrieb:
We were assured that this is covered by the photovoltaic system It can be expected that a high heating demand (during the cold and dark season) correlates with low photovoltaic yields. But surely the "assurance" is supported by verifiable, valid data showing that it actually works. I can only judge this based on intuition and, unfortunately, cannot provide concrete figures to confirm or refute it.Mygstylzz schrieb:
We were assured that this is secured by the photovoltaic system and that power supply is only necessary on very cold daysGood joke.
How many kWp is being installed to guarantee that? It should be around 20 or more. And what sunlight is there on a cold night?
That doesn’t change the fact that it remains an electric heating system. And no, self-generated photovoltaic power is not free of cost.
M
Mygstylzz10 Jan 2017 13:24Alex85 schrieb:
Good joke.
How many kWp are needed to secure that? Probably around 20. And which sun shines on a cold night?
That doesn’t change the fact that it would still be electric heating. And no, self-generated photovoltaic electricity is not free. Would reducing the standard to KfW 55 and installing underfloor heating (I don’t want a different one) really be a reasonable alternative?
Mygstylzz schrieb:
Would downgrading to KfW 55 and installing underfloor heating (I don’t want any other type) really be a sensible alternative?You can still have underfloor heating and achieve KfW 40(+) standards. Those are not mutually exclusive. Just make sure to replace the air-to-air heat pump with an air-to-water heat pump. However, the supplier will likely charge extra for that.
Just do some research online about air-to-air heat pumps and decide whether that option suits you.
Similar topics