In the jungle of energy consultants...

...it can sometimes be quite confusing!

We have just bought an old single-family house that needs renovation or refurbishment from top to bottom.

There is an oil heating system from 1990 and a hot water boiler hanging above a bathtub; the pipes are partly made of copper and partly of iron.

Since we are not retro fans in this direction, we don't want to leave it like that, but what makes sense and what doesn’t, especially since it also has to be paid for???

Of course, we are also "informed iiiihbuyers" and there are already quite cozy affordable pellet heating systems offered for 4-5000€. Offers from 2 energy consultants are also available, but they somehow end up at 14-18,000€, and that does not even include renovating the old pipes and radiators. Energy consultant 3 now said that we should leave the old oil heating system in place and get water-bearing solar technology, although his offer was not really cheaper either.

We are already sure that we want to replace the iron pipes and old radiators and also aim for something like a central water supply, but that’s about it.

Oh yes, we are also sure that we want to have a wood stove in the living room on the ground floor, but that’s really all.

How does one find a reasonable, affordable solution that suits our purposes and doesn’t just enrich the installation company?

Hello,

...it can sometimes be quite confusing!....

Unfortunately, that is often the case and in my opinion a significant problem!
"Energieberater" is not a protected professional title. Often, pure "form filler, funding intermediaries" without sufficient technical training in the field of TGA (Technical Building Equipment) are involved here.
Replacing an old oil heating system is probably not unrealistic, as usually the JNG is a disaster. A retrofitted solar thermal system is unlikely to bring much economic success overall.
In existing buildings, gas condensing boilers are often a sensible substitution for oil, if at all possible. Once you are at it, you should definitely take a close look at the hydraulics and heating surfaces! In addition: central hot water preparation!

Best regards

Hello,

There is an oil heating system from 1990 and a hot water boiler hanging above a bathtub, the pipes are partly made of copper and partly of iron. Since we are not fans of retrofitting in this direction, we don’t want to leave it as it is, but what makes sense and what doesn’t, especially since it also has to be paid for???

There was an enlightening segment about this on WISO yesterday. In the case study, a customer was recommended to replace the oil heating system with an air-to-air heat pump; with the result that her electricity costs exploded.

So, it is not advisable to trust the next available installer or "energy consultant," because an old building and its further structure cannot be compared with a new build. It "can" certainly be possible that purchasing a new oil heating system is effective for you; but it "can" also be that installing a gas heating system is worthwhile.

I am – as you can read here on the forum – not really a fan of the Verbraucherzentrale because, in my view, their employees often use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. However, it can be useful for you as a first point of contact; their ranks also include energy consultants. Afterwards, you should find an energy consultant you trust via the VDI and compare the two opinions on the renovation of the heating system. Ideally, both recommendations will be roughly the same (don’t forget to have references given in both cases), and you will have a first outlook on possible replacement of the heating system. Afterwards, you can obtain quotes for the costs.

Rhenish greetings

First of all, many thanks for your answers! Gas is not an option for us since it is not offered and we do not want to install a tank on the property for that. Next week we will see what the Verbraucherzentrale says about it and also find out if and where we might be able to get subsidies.

Hello,

....Next week we'll see what the consumer advice center says and also find out if and where we might be able to get subsidies.

Are you sure that gifts are being handed out to you right now? ;-)
Subsidies generally only cap excessive investment; overall profitability is not guaranteed hereby!

Best regards