Hybrid heat pump for new single-family house

Hello everyone,

we are about to build a detached house *** 140 m² living space and are currently giving a lot of thought to the appropriate heating system. We have also already looked around here in the forum. Until yesterday, we planned to install a gas condensing boiler *** solar system for hot water preparation and heating support. Yesterday we were at a trade fair and found an interesting alternative there.

It is a hybrid heat pump. So a combination of an air-water heat pump combined *** a gas condensing boiler. After extensive research on the Internet, we decided against a classic air-water heat pump because it has to switch on a heating element at low outdoor temperatures to avoid freezing. Because of this*** it no longer seems as economical as initially assumed. With the hybrid heat pump, as much environmental heat as possible and never more gas than necessary is used. A sensor decides based on the outdoor temperature, the required flow temperature, and the prices *** gas and electricity, when the gas condensing boiler should be switched on, covering the peak load. The heat pump does the main work here. As soon as it no longer works quite efficiently, the gas condensing boiler takes over, which can keep electricity consumption low.

To me, this system currently seems to be the ideal solution for us. Now I wonder why these systems are so little advertised and offered. They are a very good combination of the proven gas heating and the environmentally friendly heat pump. The purchase costs are also manageable and, according to some other Internet information, amortized after about eight years.

My question now is whether anyone has already installed such a device, heard other experiences about it, or can give a personal opinion.
Tomorrow we will also get in touch *** the experts we trust about this.

Many greetings!

Hello, I am curious about how much such a system costs?? I also cannot decide yet, an air-water heat pump was planned until now but I don't know if it is really effective enough at below freezing temperatures. We still have a free-standing wood stove planned for the ground floor, but on the upper floor there will only be underfloor heating. LG

Hello,

.... After extensive research on the Internet, we decided against a classic air-to-water heat pump, as it has to switch on an electric heating element at low outside temperatures in order not to freeze....Then the whole thing no longer appears as economical as initially assumed.

When researching on the internet, one should always be very cautious before drawing conclusions for one’s own construction project!
Unfortunately, quite a few air heat pump systems are inadequately planned. Good systems achieve an annual performance factor > 3.5. The share of the electric heating element is < 1% of the annual heating work (heating operation) and for hot water <=0.5%. So hardly significant.

.... As soon as it no longer operates quite efficiently, the gas condensing boiler takes over, keeping electricity consumption low.

For how many % is the not insignificant cost of the additional gas connection worthwhile?

.... For me seems this system currently to be the ideal solution for us..

Sometimes appearances are deceiving

.... Now I wonder why these systems are so little advertised and offered.

Because uneconomical!

.... The acquisition costs are also manageable and according to some other internet information amortized after about eight years...

I would like to see that

regards

We are also planning to add a fireplace in the living room. For a short time, we had the idea of using a water-based fireplace and utilizing the heat from the fireplace to support the heating system. However, this would have required an even larger storage tank for the heating system.

@€uro: I have already read your comments on other posts here in this forum. By now, I know that you are convinced of a well-calculated and installed heat pump. We simply are not, and I want to doubt whether this lack of conviction stems from incorrect calculations. My husband works in customer service himself and has spoken with many acquaintances and colleagues, including from other companies, about this topic. An air-to-water heat pump alone is not our choice. So, in any case, we would have a gas connection installed; therefore, we have those costs anyway.

We would therefore continue to appreciate comments on the described hybrid system.

Best regards!

...@€uro: I have already read your comments on other posts here in this forum. By now I know that you are convinced of a well-calculated and installed heat pump....

It is merely one of several options, which unfortunately has become somewhat discredited due to incompetence. Therefore, I am happy to take on the role of a "defender", although I have probably planned more brine heat pump than air heat pump systems.

....We would lay a gas connection in any case, so we would have those costs anyway.

Then a fully modulating gas condensing boiler could probably also be the right choice. I do not want to convince anyone and certainly not, as I am completely technology-open. By the way, there are also gas-powered heat pumps! From experience, hybrid or combi solutions are often what the name promises: a compromise. I allow myself to be convinced primarily by numbers. Means here: first the results of a basic investigation (actual demand (capacity, energy) for heating and hot water) would have to be put on the table to be able to evaluate an investment at all! Good luck! Best regards

Hello Flobi,

So I think that the combination of a hybrid system with another heating system, in your case a fireplace, goes a bit beyond the mark, so I think you are certainly better off not integrating the fireplace into the heating system as well.
Regarding the gas heat pump, there are now some experience reports on various information sites and also special funding programs from BAFA.
And besides the manufacturer you mentioned, several other manufacturers already offer gas heat pumps, so there is also a possibility for cross-brand comparison here.

Beste Grüße, Erik