ᐅ What to replace an oil heating system from 1989 in an old, characterful house with?
Created on: 9 Jan 2021 14:19
M
meowmeow
Hello dear forum,
we have an old timber-framed house in the Alpine foreland. Built around 1910 with an extension from the 1960s, the original building has a basement, the extension does not. The insulation is rather poor, and the windows are either double-glazed or old. A hailstorm completely destroyed our roof, so a new roof with good insulation has now been installed.
Currently, we have a Viessmann oil heating system from 1989 with a 2000l (528 gallons) oil tank in the basement, which has caused no major problems so far. The hot water is also centrally supplied by this system. With the old roof, we used about 1900-2500l (502-660 gallons) of oil in winter, depending on the season. With the new roof, we don’t have experience yet, but I expect some improvement. The house has about 115m2 (1238 square feet) of living space, heated by radiators.
Since the heating system is getting old and there are currently larger subsidy programs, we are considering modernization. From my research so far, a heat pump seems to be out of the question because we would need a better-insulated house and underfloor heating? Other types of electric heating seem even less economical?
The least invasive option would probably be a new condensing oil boiler, but these are not subsidized, so I could just wait until the old one breaks down?
A pellet heating system seems too complicated to operate? My mother will soon be 70 and often lives alone in the house. In her old age, I don’t want to put too much strain on her. We frequently visit with our child for several days, but mostly in summer. Also, the long transition phase with low heating loads appears to speak against a pellet system.
I can’t really estimate the costs for gas. A gas connection might be possible with the local supplier if the neighbors join in. We would need about 60-70m (197-230 feet) of gas pipeline on our own property. What costs should I roughly expect? Alternatively, a tank could be buried in the garden, but we are not very enthusiastic about that idea. We are somewhat confused by current politics: on the one hand, fossil fuels are supposed to become much more expensive to promote renewable energy, but on the other hand, gas condensing boilers are heavily subsidized?
For sentimental reasons, we could imagine installing a water-bearing wood stove in the living room. We already have a wood-burning stove in the kitchen where we occasionally cook, and which also provides some heating in winter.
However, it would have to connect to the same chimney currently used by the oil heating system – or the future gas heating system – and from what I understand, this is not allowed, so I might have to give up that dream, right?
We are considering a photovoltaic system on the roof, but we plan to remove the attic floor and renovate the upstairs room within about 5-10 years to get higher ceilings. This would also include adding a few skylights. I should probably wait for these renovation measures first.
What would you recommend? How should the new heating system be sized – I assume this can be calculated quite well based on previous energy consumption?
Thank you very much for your time and help!
we have an old timber-framed house in the Alpine foreland. Built around 1910 with an extension from the 1960s, the original building has a basement, the extension does not. The insulation is rather poor, and the windows are either double-glazed or old. A hailstorm completely destroyed our roof, so a new roof with good insulation has now been installed.
Currently, we have a Viessmann oil heating system from 1989 with a 2000l (528 gallons) oil tank in the basement, which has caused no major problems so far. The hot water is also centrally supplied by this system. With the old roof, we used about 1900-2500l (502-660 gallons) of oil in winter, depending on the season. With the new roof, we don’t have experience yet, but I expect some improvement. The house has about 115m2 (1238 square feet) of living space, heated by radiators.
Since the heating system is getting old and there are currently larger subsidy programs, we are considering modernization. From my research so far, a heat pump seems to be out of the question because we would need a better-insulated house and underfloor heating? Other types of electric heating seem even less economical?
The least invasive option would probably be a new condensing oil boiler, but these are not subsidized, so I could just wait until the old one breaks down?
A pellet heating system seems too complicated to operate? My mother will soon be 70 and often lives alone in the house. In her old age, I don’t want to put too much strain on her. We frequently visit with our child for several days, but mostly in summer. Also, the long transition phase with low heating loads appears to speak against a pellet system.
I can’t really estimate the costs for gas. A gas connection might be possible with the local supplier if the neighbors join in. We would need about 60-70m (197-230 feet) of gas pipeline on our own property. What costs should I roughly expect? Alternatively, a tank could be buried in the garden, but we are not very enthusiastic about that idea. We are somewhat confused by current politics: on the one hand, fossil fuels are supposed to become much more expensive to promote renewable energy, but on the other hand, gas condensing boilers are heavily subsidized?
For sentimental reasons, we could imagine installing a water-bearing wood stove in the living room. We already have a wood-burning stove in the kitchen where we occasionally cook, and which also provides some heating in winter.
However, it would have to connect to the same chimney currently used by the oil heating system – or the future gas heating system – and from what I understand, this is not allowed, so I might have to give up that dream, right?
We are considering a photovoltaic system on the roof, but we plan to remove the attic floor and renovate the upstairs room within about 5-10 years to get higher ceilings. This would also include adding a few skylights. I should probably wait for these renovation measures first.
What would you recommend? How should the new heating system be sized – I assume this can be calculated quite well based on previous energy consumption?
Thank you very much for your time and help!
P
pagoni20209 Jan 2021 18:21meowmeow schrieb:
Hmm, as long as we have the old oil heating system, my understanding is that no additional wood stove may be connected to the chimney.The question is whether the chimney is single- or dual-flue, and then there are differences depending on the chimney sweep. That was the case here... you have to ask them, nothing can be done without their approval.W
WilderSueden9 Jan 2021 18:24As long as the heating system is running, allowed to run, and you are satisfied with its energy consumption, I wouldn’t recommend replacing a functioning heater right away. Unless, of course, you have personal or ideological reasons for doing so. It’s still a good idea to prepare a plan for any future scenarios and calculate what makes sense, especially since some options might require more extensive preliminary work (such as installing a gas connection).
Regardless, you can also improve your personal comfort. For example, if you want a wood stove, it can be effectively installed with an external chimney. My parents have always heated largely with wood, and it wasn’t a problem while my mother was a housewife. However, once the children moved out and there was often no one home during the day, the house would cool down. The solution was a second stove in the living room, which quickly heats the space you use in the evening instead of relying on indirect heat from the kitchen. This was done with an external chimney and works very well.
Regardless, you can also improve your personal comfort. For example, if you want a wood stove, it can be effectively installed with an external chimney. My parents have always heated largely with wood, and it wasn’t a problem while my mother was a housewife. However, once the children moved out and there was often no one home during the day, the house would cool down. The solution was a second stove in the living room, which quickly heats the space you use in the evening instead of relying on indirect heat from the kitchen. This was done with an external chimney and works very well.
Wolkensieben9 Jan 2021 18:31pagoni2020 schrieb:
It was an energy consultant based in southern GermanyGreat. That sounds very promising.
We live in southern Germany.
Perhaps I could get his address?
Then I might open a question when the time comes. But first, I would actually like to contact a specialist consultant, otherwise I get confused.
P
pagoni20209 Jan 2021 18:50Wolkensieben schrieb:
Perhaps I could get his address?Feel free to send it via private message or you can post your email address for two minutes.There are also automatic pellet stoves that you can load with a supply of pellets. I believe some of these are also hydronic (water-heated).
Choosing the right heating system always involves many factors. What do I want and am able to do on a daily basis, what connection options are available, is there any concern about gas, etc.
In the case of the original poster, I would keep the old heating system. Replacing it with a condensing boiler is not financially worthwhile at first. Then, focus on small improvements like insulating the basement ceiling, improving the roller shutter box, and so on.
Sometimes alternatives may not actually be real alternatives.
Choosing the right heating system always involves many factors. What do I want and am able to do on a daily basis, what connection options are available, is there any concern about gas, etc.
In the case of the original poster, I would keep the old heating system. Replacing it with a condensing boiler is not financially worthwhile at first. Then, focus on small improvements like insulating the basement ceiling, improving the roller shutter box, and so on.
Sometimes alternatives may not actually be real alternatives.
I would also keep the oil heating system for now, as the alternatives are not very appealing.
However, you might want to find out the cost of connecting to the gas line without involving your neighbors. It’s either going to be exorbitantly expensive (10,000€), or gas will be a strong contender to replace oil.
Depending on your federal state, you can still easily purchase a new oil condensing boiler until the end of 2025. Even after that, you may continue to install a new oil heating system as long as it is combined with renewable energy sources. You would need to monitor the political situation regarding oil, but switching to gas seems sensible—especially considering the potential cost savings (keyword: carbon tax).
I don’t think a heat pump makes sense for an older house without insulation and underfloor heating, and they are much more expensive compared to oil and gas. Also, I personally have the prejudice that heat pumps are prone to problems, require more maintenance, and can be complicated to adjust. Please correct me if I’m wrong 😉
However, you might want to find out the cost of connecting to the gas line without involving your neighbors. It’s either going to be exorbitantly expensive (10,000€), or gas will be a strong contender to replace oil.
Depending on your federal state, you can still easily purchase a new oil condensing boiler until the end of 2025. Even after that, you may continue to install a new oil heating system as long as it is combined with renewable energy sources. You would need to monitor the political situation regarding oil, but switching to gas seems sensible—especially considering the potential cost savings (keyword: carbon tax).
I don’t think a heat pump makes sense for an older house without insulation and underfloor heating, and they are much more expensive compared to oil and gas. Also, I personally have the prejudice that heat pumps are prone to problems, require more maintenance, and can be complicated to adjust. Please correct me if I’m wrong 😉
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