Yeah, WA4 and WA5. You probably have WA2, right?
No, I'm not an expert and am just starting to get into the topic. Besides the already mentioned cost aspect: What led you to your decision?
When you talk about an air-water heat pump:
Did you read in the development plan in 10.1.2 that connection to district heating is mandatory? Unless you can prove that the house can be heated completely with renewable energy? Is this proof easy or do you still install the connection anyway?
Yes, that is correct
At some point, I realized that it’s also somewhat a “type question” of how you build. Also, as always, a matter of budget. If you want to have a lot of decision-making power yourself and also be more or less flexible during the construction phase (equipment, additions, reacting to expenses, etc.), you ultimately can’t avoid an architect. Or at least that’s my personal conclusion. On the other hand, if you prefer it a bit “safer” (note: nothing is really safe) and want to have less (not little) to worry about, a prefab house provider or general contractor can offer a lot. Especially with prefab house providers, for example, during the sample appointments you spend one or two days somewhere in a big center with hotel and catering to basically choose everything for your whole house from top to bottom. Whereas when building with an architect, you don’t have such a center, but depending on the topic you talk to various suppliers and then decide. Again: a type question... We started with: We don’t want to do anything ourselves and want a top house delivered without much effort that we like. When we then saw what our dream house would cost (back then still over 200 m²), reality hit for the first time. The phases went like this: smaller -> no longer top providers (Schwörerhaus, Finger, etc.) -> small local company (wood) -> architect. Since the premise of not wanting to do any craftwork ourselves (except a little outdoors) didn’t change, and now (especially me) I got more excited about the whole topic, I no longer shy away from getting involved (contract awards, organization, etc.), and with an architect you also have a not insignificant influence on the choice of construction companies and thus on the price, we stayed with the architect. Another advantage for us is that he is also our construction manager – since we pay him, perhaps more independent than a construction manager of a building company who does everything – even providing a construction manager (doesn’t have to be the case!). That’s roughly how it was. But as I said, everyone has their own path and finds what suits them. I don’t think there’s THE right decision.
Regarding the air-water heat pump point, I believe they are not as strict as it says there. I’ve heard that now they also don’t have a problem with air-water heat pumps anymore and it’s not an issue. But if in doubt, just ask the urban planning office. They are very helpful. For us, it’s no longer an issue since we will use district heating. Sure, the air-water heat pump is probably cheaper, but I like it when I have no owner risk and can just call someone whenever if there are problems. And honestly: 1,700€/year fixed costs plus individual consumption. If you calculate air-water heat pump with about €15,000 acquisition cost, you’re at 10 years (the length of a district heating contract and I guess about the same for an air-water heat pump) at €1,500 per year. However, maintenance still comes on top, which I think could be around €200-300/year. So it’s roughly comparable in terms of fixed costs. But please take it with a grain of salt, I’m not a heating expert. My reason is simple: I already have enough topics, and heating should not be one of them. Build everything so that I could switch to an air-water heat pump in 10 years if I’m not satisfied or developments push me in that direction.
However, your note also pointed me to the fact that it says solar has to be prepped. Actually, I’m in favor of photovoltaics and didn’t want any solar anymore. I passed this question directly to my architect – so thanks.