ᐅ Which House Concept? Fundamental Questions for Building a Home
Created on: 20 Sep 2019 11:53
L
Luftpumpe
Hello everyone,
We are fortunate to own a building plot and are now facing the difficult choice of how to proceed. For several months, we have been researching, visiting model homes, and actively reading forums. When it comes to layouts and features, opinions vary greatly, and depending on budget and taste, the possibilities seem endless.
But when it comes to the fundamental question of how to build today in an affordable, efficient, and above all healthy way, there should at least be a rough consensus! From everything we have read so far, we would probably prefer to build a Thoma house (36cm (14 inches) Holz100 walls), but financially that probably won’t be possible.
When we look for alternatives, we are often told that KFW40 (KFW40 / Passive House standards) is not achievable, that breathable construction is impossible, and that a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system is absolutely necessary. Then, you keep searching and come across more “alternative” options like LowTec Bio Solar houses, which seems a bit too extreme for us.
We want to build a house free of harmful substances, and avoiding various materials is the best way to be sure that in a few years, nothing new will be found to be problematic. In this sense, a pure timber house does make some sense.
Then, the advice is that solar thermal systems are not worth it, so photovoltaic systems on the roof should be used instead. To make good use of that, a heat pump is necessary, and then air-to-air heat pumps are offered because geothermal with underfloor heating is so much more expensive. So, it’s either robbing a bank or making compromises.
And that’s exactly the kind of compromises we are looking for now. Who has chosen a particular building concept and for what reasons? Is a vapor barrier really necessary in the building envelope? Which heating and insulation technologies are still cost-effective today? And how do I create the healthiest possible indoor climate?
Thank you & best regards,
Luftpumpe
We are fortunate to own a building plot and are now facing the difficult choice of how to proceed. For several months, we have been researching, visiting model homes, and actively reading forums. When it comes to layouts and features, opinions vary greatly, and depending on budget and taste, the possibilities seem endless.
But when it comes to the fundamental question of how to build today in an affordable, efficient, and above all healthy way, there should at least be a rough consensus! From everything we have read so far, we would probably prefer to build a Thoma house (36cm (14 inches) Holz100 walls), but financially that probably won’t be possible.
When we look for alternatives, we are often told that KFW40 (KFW40 / Passive House standards) is not achievable, that breathable construction is impossible, and that a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system is absolutely necessary. Then, you keep searching and come across more “alternative” options like LowTec Bio Solar houses, which seems a bit too extreme for us.
We want to build a house free of harmful substances, and avoiding various materials is the best way to be sure that in a few years, nothing new will be found to be problematic. In this sense, a pure timber house does make some sense.
Then, the advice is that solar thermal systems are not worth it, so photovoltaic systems on the roof should be used instead. To make good use of that, a heat pump is necessary, and then air-to-air heat pumps are offered because geothermal with underfloor heating is so much more expensive. So, it’s either robbing a bank or making compromises.
And that’s exactly the kind of compromises we are looking for now. Who has chosen a particular building concept and for what reasons? Is a vapor barrier really necessary in the building envelope? Which heating and insulation technologies are still cost-effective today? And how do I create the healthiest possible indoor climate?
Thank you & best regards,
Luftpumpe
Air tightness must be demonstrated, with the same limit value applying to all new buildings.
So, they are all airtight boxes, including the ones designed for healthy indoor living.
The particles found in the filters of a mechanical ventilation system come from the indoor air. Without a mechanical ventilation system, these particles are still present.
It’s all just a matter of perception.
If not to say, probably imagination.
So, they are all airtight boxes, including the ones designed for healthy indoor living.
The particles found in the filters of a mechanical ventilation system come from the indoor air. Without a mechanical ventilation system, these particles are still present.
It’s all just a matter of perception.
If not to say, probably imagination.
guckuck2 schrieb:
The current topic was about "healthy living". Healthy living with cheap fittings. That was the point I was making in my response (quote )
ypg schrieb:
Healthy living with cheap equipment. That’s what I meant in my reply (quote )I know. I just picked the template ops:
“Healthy living” is a scam. But as often in life, everyone has to decide for themselves, and if someone wants to waste money, there are plenty of opportunities.
The general contractor with the "healthy living" wall just ventilates thoroughly once more before the victim… eh… customer shows up.
If I understand correctly, healthy living in a home is not rocket science, as long as the craftsman knows which product to use. It’s not that the house is then completely plastic-free or extremely eco-friendly. Only certain substances must be avoided.
Recently, Ökotest tested a children’s room from a Swedish company. The result was a positive surprise and showed that avoiding certain substances doesn’t have to be expensive. However, it is also not necessarily eco-friendly.
It is simply difficult to find the right solution among all the half-truths and marketing talk.
Breathable
Ecological
Healthy living
No matter where you look, everyone claims to have the best, the ultimate solution.
All are also innovative.
And everyone has an efficient heating concept.
Unfortunately, nothing is comparable. Subtle fears are stirred up, a great ecological feeling is given, and it is suggested that you are getting the most value-stable house.
Recently, Ökotest tested a children’s room from a Swedish company. The result was a positive surprise and showed that avoiding certain substances doesn’t have to be expensive. However, it is also not necessarily eco-friendly.
It is simply difficult to find the right solution among all the half-truths and marketing talk.
Breathable
Ecological
Healthy living
No matter where you look, everyone claims to have the best, the ultimate solution.
All are also innovative.
And everyone has an efficient heating concept.
Unfortunately, nothing is comparable. Subtle fears are stirred up, a great ecological feeling is given, and it is suggested that you are getting the most value-stable house.
H
hampshire22 Sep 2019 10:00guckuck2 schrieb:
Air tightness must be demonstrated, and the limit value is the same for all new buildings. That is factually incorrect—we live in a counterexample.
guckuck2 schrieb:
The material found in the filters of a mechanical ventilation system originates from the indoor air. Without a mechanical ventilation system, this material is still present.
It's all just psychological.
Or rather, probably imagined. The material collected in the filters accumulates there and has ample time to ferment, mold, and react, which does not happen in the indoor air itself. Would you drink moldy milk? That material was there before anyway. Great logic.
When you clean and replace the filters, the ducts should remain clean. Even in the kitchen, there is no dirt or grease film visible on the exhaust vent. However, you can discard the filter; vacuuming it is not effective.
We will have to see how everything holds up over time.
We will have to see how everything holds up over time.
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