Install a new oil heating system now?

Everything speaks for oil.

Satire or ignorance?

Hello everyone,

the tank system looks good and will remain as well (besides, it currently contains several thousand liters of heating oil, which we would otherwise have to pump out).

Further energy-related measures are already planned, such as window replacement, roof insulation, etc., but for example, underfloor heating is probably not going to be installed in all rooms, so a heating system like a heat pump is out of the question, since radiators require a much higher supply temperature than underfloor heating.

We had two energy consultants in the house, also regarding KfW funding, etc., and in the end they also came to the conclusion that, realistically, only a new oil heating system, pellets (or gas) would be an option for us. There is no gas connection and I do not want gas either, as I also think it is pointless to bury a tank in the garden when there is a large oil or alternatively pellet storage available, space that would not be used otherwise.

And of course I also have the environmental aspect in mind, although, I think, one has to see that it already helps a lot that we replace the old (almost 30 years) oil heating system and additionally take energy-efficient measures plus an additional wood stove, etc. In comparison to before, we will have a significantly lower heating oil consumption and the emissions from the new heating system, as far as I am informed, are not comparable to the old one.

A very difficult topic anyway...

Further energy efficiency measures are already planned, window replacement, roof insulation, etc., but for example, underfloor heating is not expected to be installed in all rooms, so a heating system like a heat pump is ruled out, since radiators require a significantly higher flow temperature than underfloor heating.

Why is the heat pump then ruled out? Have you ever heard of low-temperature radiators? They are specially designed for the low flow temperatures of heat pumps.
If further energy efficiency measures are already being taken, I am shifting from my initial assessment (to stay with oil) to a heat pump.

You are planning to install a tiled stove with a heating buffer storage. If you use it consistently and regularly and regard the central heating only as an addition (and not the other way around), it is of secondary importance from an ecological point of view which heating system you use. Through the other measures, you are reducing your heating demand, and with the tiled stove with storage, you can cover a large part directly with firewood.

The heat pump combined with the tiled stove and new radiators can work well, by the way: dimension the radiators large (this is always good anyway, especially if they are operated in combination with partial underfloor heating)! It only costs a few euros more, which you quickly save through lower water temperatures and better storage utilization. In the transition period and in summer for hot water preparation, the heat pump is very efficient thanks to the moderate to high outdoor temperatures. As soon as it gets colder outside, you light the tiled stove, and the heat pump only runs very rarely or not at all. The higher flow temperatures in winter at low outdoor temperatures then do not matter. And if it does happen, it is not a catastrophe, just a bit more expensive.

The small remaining share can probably be covered most cheaply by the oil heating system. Ecologically more sensible would of course be the heat pump in combination with photovoltaics on the roof - for hot water preparation in summer and in the transition period, the photovoltaics also provide enough electricity.

The measures absolutely speak in favor of a heat pump.

The most important thing, especially in old buildings, is the planning of the heating surfaces, as your advisors have recognized. Have professionals handle the calculation, not necessarily the installer or energy consultants without appropriate experience, and preferably pay separately only for this planning. Many unfortunately overestimate or simply have no idea. The planning begins with the room-by-room heat load calculation. Based on this, the size of the heat pump can be determined (without safety margins) as well as the planning of the heating surfaces per room.

And also a lot of photovoltaics on the roof, the scaffolding is there anyway. Photovoltaics pay off on their own through subsidies and even better with a heat pump.

Edit: If the stove is not considered the main heating system, I would not connect it to the heating circuit, but rather let the heat pump work there without disruption and additional complexity. A stove with a lot of its own storage mass is still great for support in the core winter when the heat pump is less efficient.

You can see that there is no clear recommendation for a system here. For me, fossil fuels are out of the question for new installations, as there is now always a more environmentally sensible alternative. Great that you are getting the house in shape. Good luck with that.