Is new construction possible without solar and without a heat pump?

Hello everyone,
I am still at the very beginning of planning a house and am slowly starting to read up on the topic of technology, but I hardly have any knowledge about it yet.
At least I already know that there is an Energy Saving Ordinance 2014, which must be complied with.

Now my questions:
- Is it possible to build according to the Energy Saving Ordinance without using solar technology and a heat pump?
- What measures would then probably be mandatory?

I am asking because I think that solar would definitely not make sense for us due to unfavorable building orientation and shading from the neighboring building.
And a heat pump is simply not appealing to me; we have gas available in the street and I would prefer a heating system based on that.

Basically about our project. It is about a detached single-family house with approximately 200m2 of living space on 1.5 - 2 floors plus a full basement. We definitely want a fireplace in the living/dining area, but I have no idea if that helps or if it is rather a hindrance?

Does anyone have literature tips for me? I would like to deal extensively with the topic.
Thanks in advance!

How about simply reading through what is stated in the [Energieeinsparverordnung]... but most likely construction is possible... however, you have to plan a lot of insulation... probably more than 20cm on the walls and even more towards the roof... a central controlled residential ventilation system also helps with something like that...

Panama17, yes, such a building is definitely possible. We also build like this and achieve "calculatively approx. KfW20," which is then classified as KfW40 and thus provides a 5,000 EUR repayment bonus. 160 sqm living space, 1.5 floors without a basement. Walls made of 50 cm bricks. There are various options regarding manufacturer and material, e.g. aerated concrete from Ytong or Greisel, Poroton from Wienerberger (more expensive), etc. Insulate the foundation slab and roof well. Heating is done with a gas condensing boiler (approx. 8 kW max. output), hot water as well. The better insulated building envelope obviously costs money, but still significantly less than all the system technology (solar, heat pump, etc.). Additionally, you only pay these costs once, have overall lower financing costs, and low gas costs due to the small gas condensing boiler, etc.

mycraft - hmm. if I could find them, I would have done that already. But when I google, I never get there, I always end up with some energy certificate stuff. And whether that is really possible and especially useful, it doesn't say there either.

klblb - that sounds good already!! Then it should definitely work with a basement too, right? I wouldn't have thought you can even achieve a Kfw 40 standard with that. What kind of roof do you have? 50cm thick walls are of course really a lot, but under 36 you hardly get nowadays anyway, if I see it right. We also have a large building window, so that wouldn’t be a problem. There is already so much technology in the house that needs to be financed, maintained and serviced, so I would like to avoid these components. But I would like to have a ventilation system, because I almost always have the windows closed and we are both allergy sufferers, so that would really be helpful for us. Do you have one too?

Yes, I don't know... it's all on Energieeinsparverordnung-online, you don't even have to search long... I took about 30 seconds...

I have a central ventilation system and I believe that you shouldn't build a new building according to Energieeinsparverordnung standard without one... and also not with a decentralized one but only with a central system if you have the opportunity...

No one can keep the ventilation intervals if they're not constantly at home... besides, a lot of energy is lost through window ventilation... and you have fresh filtered air in the house, which should help you allergy sufferers... however, the air will become very dry in winter, so you have to consider whether to use an enthalpy exchanger or possibly humidify the air differently.

In my opinion, decentralized systems have bigger visual and technical disadvantages... but you can do some searching, I've already written a lot about that.

A chimney makes the ventilation system somewhat more expensive because you then need a pressure monitor... You also need a recirculation hood in the kitchen. An exhaust hood is not possible.

A lot of insulation costs a lot of money.

50 cm bricks, gentlemen
It’s not just a matter of buying thicker insulation for the roof either. The wooden structure has to support it and be correspondingly strong.

In our cost estimate (160 sqm living space, 2 full floors) the difference between T10 and T8 (190 sqm masonry) amounts to almost €6,000 net. And that’s still a 36.5 cm brick.

With houses that dense, I also consider a controlled ventilation system necessary. And that’s no bargain either.

I think you can definitely overdo it with insulation.

It continues with the windows.

The concept of "hardcore insulation" has to be consistent throughout all parts of the building. It doesn’t help to choose a super brick and then just simple glazed windows because the money is gone.

I once read that a low-energy house is 20 to 25 percent more expensive compared to a "KfW100".

And, to answer the question as well: a lot is possible, it’s all a matter of costs. And if the budget isn’t exactly flexible, it’s one of the first items to be cut. Especially when you see the additional costs upfront and start calculating how long it will take to have saved that amount. If the financing also has to be higher as a result, it’s over.

My opinion: what’s the point of paying the bank €200 more every month for 30, 25 or 20 years if I save only €75 in energy costs.

And then it’s time again for a new heating system or windows or roof...