Geothermal energy or gas condensing boiler?

Good evening Eve,

The volume of the outdoor units has already led to disputes in the neighborhood more than once. One unit had to be relocated after a winter, once to the opposite side of the property, far away from the original installation location.

That is certainly true; primarily because Germans tend to "hear" something even if they only "see" it. Experienced this many times; even during the rough installation of an outdoor unit of an air-to-water heat pump without connection.

There are such things as dB limits that must be adhered to and without which split units do not receive approval. Those who want to add a "bit" on top, for example with an Ochsner, are welcome to do so. As a rule, however, it is the case that "quieter" outside often means "louder" inside; although this is always relative, as so nicely described.

Rhineland greetings

The builder doesn’t decide.

And you get golden faucets without discussion and at no extra cost?

So the outdoor unit of our neighbors is unpleasantly loud when it runs at full power. Fortunately, it is positioned so that it does not face our direction, and it is on the street side. In the garden, you can't hear anything, but on the street, even from 30m away despite ambient noise, and the device is only 1 year old, it certainly won’t get any better.

And you also get golden faucets without discussion and without extra charge?

That's nonsense! However, I am surprised that as an employer one lets oneself be persuaded by the contractor to install a heating system that one doesn't necessarily want and may even feel uncertain about.

Anyone who likes golden faucets will probably not get around an extra charge.

I am surprised, however, that as an employer one lets oneself be persuaded by the employee to install a heating system that one does not necessarily want and possibly feels unsure about.

Well, before I thought the gas condensing boiler would be the best solution for us (because of the lowest investment costs). Then I learned that together with Kfw 70 it is not so cheap after all (solar thermal). Yes, there are concerns regarding the air-water heat pump (noise, electricity costs), but you also have to trust the provider to some extent. Other people live in houses built by him with this air-water heat pump and they probably manage fine.

When building with architects or general contractors/main contractors it might have turned out differently (no solar thermal, but other measures instead). But the developer has the plot of land. In the end, it is a balancing of various criteria (plot, construction method, construction and performance description, contract documents, solidity of the company and much more), whereby the heating system is only one aspect. The developer guarantees that it works. I rely on that.

Your reasons are understandable and comprehensible.

We already owned the property and were therefore free to choose the GÜ.
For example, we have a gas condensing boiler with solar and are very satisfied.
The heating system was a constant topic for almost two years, during which we finally decided between geothermal and gas.

However, the underfloor heating was laid in narrow loops, so that we could switch later if needed.

Since we had a good deal with our provider regarding connection and so on, gas was the cheapest and also the familiar choice for us.