Hello everyone,
After much consideration, we decided against a prefabricated house and chose a custom-designed home by an architect. A key reason was that almost all prefabricated houses rely on heat pumps, but we are not fans of this system (unfortunately, due to the house's orientation, installing a photovoltaic system is not practical for us).
Therefore, we would like to use a gas condensing boiler in combination with a wood gasification boiler or a water-bearing fireplace. We are now quite uncertain which option might be more cost-effective over time. We definitely want a wood stove in the living room...
The basic conditions are:
- New construction according to KFW 55
- Living area about 175 m² (1880 sq ft)
- Construction site in the Lüneburg district
- Own forest available (about 5 ha (12 acres)) mostly pine trees
Please do not start fundamental discussions like "Hey, heat pumps are still the best solution."
For us, the options mentioned above are the ones under consideration; we just want to know which would be more economical.
Has anyone had experience with these combinations?
Thanks and best regards
After much consideration, we decided against a prefabricated house and chose a custom-designed home by an architect. A key reason was that almost all prefabricated houses rely on heat pumps, but we are not fans of this system (unfortunately, due to the house's orientation, installing a photovoltaic system is not practical for us).
Therefore, we would like to use a gas condensing boiler in combination with a wood gasification boiler or a water-bearing fireplace. We are now quite uncertain which option might be more cost-effective over time. We definitely want a wood stove in the living room...
The basic conditions are:
- New construction according to KFW 55
- Living area about 175 m² (1880 sq ft)
- Construction site in the Lüneburg district
- Own forest available (about 5 ha (12 acres)) mostly pine trees
Please do not start fundamental discussions like "Hey, heat pumps are still the best solution."
For us, the options mentioned above are the ones under consideration; we just want to know which would be more economical.
Has anyone had experience with these combinations?
Thanks and best regards
This only makes sense economically if you own enough forest that produces firewood annually and you are willing to manage it yourself. You usually need a separate heating room (a utility room is not suitable), storage space for the wood to dry, and you need to invest the time.
Even then, such a system is still very expensive to purchase. You need a gasifier, a large buffer storage, mixing group, control system, and so on.
Maintenance costs are also significant, with at least four chimney inspections, buffer heat losses, and more, so it is not cheap initially.
For a new build, I would advise against this type of technology. It is usually more worthwhile to sell the wood and buy electricity or gas at a lower cost.
Even then, such a system is still very expensive to purchase. You need a gasifier, a large buffer storage, mixing group, control system, and so on.
Maintenance costs are also significant, with at least four chimney inspections, buffer heat losses, and more, so it is not cheap initially.
For a new build, I would advise against this type of technology. It is usually more worthwhile to sell the wood and buy electricity or gas at a lower cost.
D
Deliverer27 Mar 2018 11:59I knew it would never be cost-effective, but I didn’t realize it would involve so much hassle... Compared to that, a traditional wood stove in the living room is really a cheap option.
Sure, the stove in the living room simply needs a chimney and possibly a separate air supply. There’s no complicated technology involved. You just light it and it gets warm.
Most importantly, you’re not dependent on anything. With a wood gasification boiler, you need a backup system if you want to go on vacation during the winter.
Most importantly, you’re not dependent on anything. With a wood gasification boiler, you need a backup system if you want to go on vacation during the winter.
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