ᐅ Which heating system should be used, and how can it be combined with photovoltaic or solar thermal panels?
Created on: 28 Jan 2022 22:28
E
Elias_dee
Hello!
I have been researching heating options for the new build of our single-family house for weeks and still haven’t found a definitive opinion on the topic.
We are building a “standard” house, roughly equivalent to a KFW55 standard home, but without any subsidies or incentives—the hassle isn’t worth it. The house will be built on a sloped site, with the roof facing south. The local development plan expressly encourages photovoltaic / solar thermal systems (a separate roof covering is allowed).
A gas connection is already available on the plot. I originally didn’t want a gas heating system, but now I’m a bit uncertain. Both of my immediate neighbors in this new development area are using gas combined with solar thermal.
I was actually interested in geothermal heating. However, according to a local heating contractor, drilling is limited to 50 meters, so it’s not worth it here.
Then I looked into horizontal ground collectors such as trench or surface collectors. But that option is now off the table, because many say you can hardly plant anything on top of them (and we are really passionate gardeners).
So essentially, the options left are a) gas (though I’m not really a fan of fossil fuels), or — and this is currently my favorite — b) an air-source heat pump. The heating contractor I prefer locally installs the Wolf CHA Monoblock system, but I haven’t found many user reviews, it seems fairly new but also quite quiet.
Would you also choose an air-to-water heat pump in this situation?
Then comes the next question: how to combine it? With solar thermal or photovoltaic? Or even both? There are hundreds of forums and articles on this, and I’ve read a lot, but in the end, I’m only more confused because everyone says something different.
What do you think?
Regards,
Elias
I have been researching heating options for the new build of our single-family house for weeks and still haven’t found a definitive opinion on the topic.
We are building a “standard” house, roughly equivalent to a KFW55 standard home, but without any subsidies or incentives—the hassle isn’t worth it. The house will be built on a sloped site, with the roof facing south. The local development plan expressly encourages photovoltaic / solar thermal systems (a separate roof covering is allowed).
A gas connection is already available on the plot. I originally didn’t want a gas heating system, but now I’m a bit uncertain. Both of my immediate neighbors in this new development area are using gas combined with solar thermal.
I was actually interested in geothermal heating. However, according to a local heating contractor, drilling is limited to 50 meters, so it’s not worth it here.
Then I looked into horizontal ground collectors such as trench or surface collectors. But that option is now off the table, because many say you can hardly plant anything on top of them (and we are really passionate gardeners).
So essentially, the options left are a) gas (though I’m not really a fan of fossil fuels), or — and this is currently my favorite — b) an air-source heat pump. The heating contractor I prefer locally installs the Wolf CHA Monoblock system, but I haven’t found many user reviews, it seems fairly new but also quite quiet.
Would you also choose an air-to-water heat pump in this situation?
Then comes the next question: how to combine it? With solar thermal or photovoltaic? Or even both? There are hundreds of forums and articles on this, and I’ve read a lot, but in the end, I’m only more confused because everyone says something different.
What do you think?
Regards,
Elias
In my opinion, a ground-source heat pump is overkill for new builds. An air-to-water heat pump does its job well, and you save a lot on drilling and related costs. The cooling capability doesn’t come close to an air conditioning unit. I would rather invest the difference between a ground-source heat pump and an air-to-water heat pump into a large photovoltaic system and an air conditioner. In summer, when you need the air conditioning, you usually have enough electricity anyway.
Similar topics